Am I doing something wrong? - veiled handling

[korykory]

I heard that feeding my veiled chameleon will help him trust me more and then lead to him allowing me to handle him. I’m not comfortable with holding his food on my hand so I put them in this little cup and sat in front of his terrarium with the door open for around 10 minutes. He just hid behind a log the entire time which was cute, but not what I want to happen lol. Is something about what I’m doing wrong? Or is there anything else I can do.

I really want to clean his terrarium and add some new plants but he won’t let me take him out.

And if anyone remember me from my last post, I got a linear t5 uvb and am planning on getting him a 28x48 cage whenever I’m able to, financially.

 

[MissSkittles]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/building-trust-with-your-chameleon.2396/ This will help, if you haven’t already read it. It takes much time and patience. Hold the cup out to where your chameleon can see the food inside moving around (support your arm with something) and don’t make eye contact if possible. Don’t expect your chameleon to to easily or even at all walk on your hand or arm for the yummies, especially if you have a veiled. Do try offering a treat feeder in the cup too, and one which moves/squirms a lot. My wild caught guy loves silkworms/silkmoths and hornworms and has learned I’m ok thru feeding those. Something about the worms and especially the green ones are always a favorite.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I'm a newbie but I can concur about the caterpillars like hornworms and silkworms (just make sure they're an appropriate size.) I've been cup and hand feeding my chameleon since I got him in March, and he's at last comfortable enough to crawl onto me for a hornworm or silkie! (I don't expect it to last as a veiled's temperament is known to change as they mature) but it's really is all about consistency.

I do wonder if the red cup might seem scary to your little friend?
I see a lot of people say they react strongly to red. I have a little shallow bird feeder cup like so and I pull up a chair and look away mostly. It may also help that, if it's in hiding, to have the cup close to their line of sight, but stand off to the side where they won't see your body/face.

 

[BleuSaphir]

Hand feeding with hands or with a cup, will not be an instant success. Might take weeks, months.

 

[ehdee6]

I'd also recommend a green, or neutral color cup, white even. I've found that clear containers confused them, and vibrant colors scare them LOL...

Don't be discouraged. I've still not had Mr. Jack "like" being held. I've had him since May, and have only held him when I've absolutely had to. Maybe 4 times, I've held him; Switching up to a bigger cage, and cleaning. Although he'll eat from my hand and trusts me, he doesn't like leaving his cage. Don't push them, or expect them to crawl on you. Just respect their reaction and try again the next day.

If you absolutely have to get them out, you sort of have to toughen up. You can corral them. Put one hand in front of them, and another behind them. Push the one behind towards the one in front and they'll i instinctively go forward into the other hand. It's hard to explain, I'll try to find a video of it.

 

[ehdee6]

Annd the closest video I can find is Neptune and cham academy...

Not quite the trying to move them into your hand as I was describing, though... Maybe I'll try and get video of that.

Also try and get them on an empty stomach, if they're old enough to slip days. Offer a treat, get them to do whatever for the treat, then feed them. More motivation to get the food...

 

[korykory]

I'm a newbie but I can concur about the caterpillars like hornworms and silkworms (just make sure they're an appropriate size.) I've been cup and hand feeding my chameleon since I got him in March, and he's at last comfortable enough to crawl onto me for a hornworm or silkie! (I don't expect it to last as a veiled's temperament is known to change as they mature) but it's really is all about consistency.

I do wonder if the red cup might seem scary to your little friend?
I see a lot of people say they react strongly to red. I have a little shallow bird feeder cup like so and I pull up a chair and look away mostly. It may also help that, if it's in hiding, to have the cup close to their line of sight, but stand off to the side where they won't see your body/face.

I had no idea about that red thing, the more you know, thanks a lot! I have other cups that’ll I’ll try to use. I’ll also try sitting off to the side and not looking at him.

Thats so nice that your Cham is finally comfortable with you, I wish!!! Now that he’s comfortable enough, does he just come out whenever you open up his cage and put your hand out or only when you have food with you ?

 

[korykory]

I'd also recommend a green, or neutral color cup, white even. I've found that clear containers confused them, and vibrant colors scare them LOL...

Don't be discouraged. I've still not had Mr. Jack "like" being held. I've had him since May, and have only held him when I've absolutely had to. Maybe 4 times, I've held him; Switching up to a bigger cage, and cleaning. Although he'll eat from my hand and trusts me, he doesn't like leaving his cage. Don't push them, or expect them to crawl on you. Just respect their reaction and try again the next day.

If you absolutely have to get them out, you sort of have to toughen up. You can corral them. Put one hand in front of them, and another behind them. Push the one behind towards the one in front and they'll i instinctively go forward into the other hand. It's hard to explain, I'll try to find a video of it.

I didn’t know about colors having effect on them so I’m going to try again tommorow with a toned down color.

I’ve had mine since the end of July, so a very short time. I haven’t held him at all. I know he’s friendly since at Petco, he jumppppped onto the guy that worked there and seemed really comfortable, so I think he’s somewhat friendly. Anytime I even inch my hand near him, he will literally sprint away, puff up, put his hands up, or even like flinch towards me really fast which spooked me lol. Today was the first time I cleaned and redid his enclosure and he wouldn’t come out under any circumstances and I’m honestly not man enough to forcefully grab him out, so he just hung on the side while I cleaned everything.

 

[korykory]

Annd the closest video I can find is Neptune and cham academy...

Not quite the trying to move them into your hand as I was describing, though... Maybe I'll try and get video of that.

Also try and get them on an empty stomach, if they're old enough to slip days. Offer a treat, get them to do whatever for the treat, then feed them. More motivation to get the food...

Thank you so much! Although I’m not brave enough to do that just yet, I’ll try it when I am for sure.

He’s hungry all the time lol. He’s only about 4 months old.

 

[kinyonga]

What are you wearing (colours, patterns) when you are working with your chameleon?

 

[Cacti3]

I had no idea about that red thing, the more you know, thanks a lot! I have other cups that’ll I’ll try to use. I’ll also try sitting off to the side and not looking at him.

Thats so nice that your Cham is finally comfortable with you, I wish!!! Now that he’s comfortable enough, does he just come out whenever you open up his cage and put your hand out or only when you have food with you ?

Also, something that I did that earned Spyros trust fast was kinda easy. Not sure if it’ll work the same for your Cham, or take as short of time as it did for Spyro, but I did a few things:

1. If they don’t trust you much, wait until they’re behind a plant with lots of leaves and their entire body is behind. It’ll make them feel more safe and comfortable. Then slowly take your cup or hand and put it near them.


2. If he / she is new and you recently got them, make sure to give them time to adjust to seeing you. You don’t want to rush to hand feeding too quickly. If you have he / she for a while, then great!

3. When you’re starting out with hand / cup feeding, you don’t want to look at your Cham. Try to also be lower than them. Turn your head away while they’re behind a plant. It’ll make them feel safe. Once they’re used to seeing you and are starting to get more comfortable with the concept of hand / cup feeding, start making your face / head look at them slowly. Sorry if it sounds kinda confusing. Just slowly start looking at them. Like, have your head all the way back one day, then the next day have your head turned half way. Then on the next day look right at them. ( don’t actually do this, that was just an example. You don’t really want to rush them like how I explained a bit. I was just demonstrating on how you would do it. You would have to do it slower than that, though. But I guess if your chams fine with it, then it’s fine. )


4. Your Cham will probably trust you a lot one day, then the next act like they don’t know you lol. Also sorry the text is bold, it won’t go back to normal.




Sorry if this was a little confusing too. I try to explain it the best I can

 

[korykory]

What are you wearing (colours, patterns) when you are working with your chameleon?

I was wearing a plain black tshirt with plain black pajama pants

 

[korykory]

Also, something that I did that earned Spyros trust fast was kinda easy. Not sure if it’ll work the same for your Cham, or take as short of time as it did for Spyro, but I did a few things:

1. If they don’t trust you much, wait until they’re behind a plant with lots of leaves and their entire body is behind. It’ll make them feel more safe and comfortable. Then slowly take your cup or hand and put it near them.


2. If he / she is new and you recently got them, make sure to give them time to adjust to seeing you. You don’t want to rush to hand feeding too quickly. If you have he / she for a while, then great!

3. When you’re starting out with hand / cup feeding, you don’t want to look at your Cham. Try to also be lower than them. Turn your head away while they’re behind a plant. It’ll make them feel safe. Once they’re used to seeing you and are starting to get more comfortable with the concept of hand / cup feeding, start making your face / head look at them slowly. Sorry if it sounds kinda confusing. Just slowly start looking at them. Like, have your head all the way back one day, then the next day have your head turned half way. Then on the next day look right at them. ( don’t actually do this, that was just an example. You don’t really want to rush them like how I explained a bit. I was just demonstrating on how you would do it. You would have to do it slower than that, though. But I guess if your chams fine with it, then it’s fine. )


4. Your Cham will probably trust you a lot one day, then the next act like they don’t know you lol. Also sorry the text is bold, it won’t go back to normal.




Sorry if this was a little confusing too. I try to explain it the best I can

Thank you so much!
1. He was completely hiding behind a log (shown in the picture) with only his eyes out, would that work?

2. I got him on July 18, so not even a full month yet. Whenever I’m home, I still by him a lot and open his enclosure and leave it open for him for a little everyday. So maybe he’s at least slightly comfortable with me. How long do you think I should have him until I should start cup feeding?

3. I totally understand what you’re trying to say by turning your face slowly day by day and that’s so helpful, truly, thank you.

4. I heard that they’ll do that. I specifically heard that “teenage” male veiled chameleons are especially moody and “mean”. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

You explained everything perfectly!

How long did it take of hand/cup feeding until he would come out when you “wanted him to”?

 

[Cacti3]

Thank you so much!
1. He was completely hiding behind a log (shown in the picture) with only his eyes out, would that work?

2. I got him on July 18, so not even a full month yet. Whenever I’m home, I still by him a lot and open his enclosure and leave it open for him for a little everyday. So maybe he’s at least slightly comfortable with me. How long do you think I should have him until I should start cup feeding?

3. I totally understand what you’re trying to say by turning your face slowly day by day and that’s so helpful, truly, thank you.

4. I heard that they’ll do that. I specifically heard that “teenage” male veiled chameleons are especially moody and “mean”. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

You explained everything perfectly!

How long did it take of hand/cup feeding until he would come out when you “wanted him to”?

Yeah, probably the log would work. Just depends on if he feels comfortable or safe behind it.


About only having him for about less than a month, here’s a little “ test “ I guess to see if he’s ready to be hand fed:

1. When you come by his cage, does he puff up or hiss at you? Or does he hide?

2. If you stare at him, does he get nervous or scared? If it only happens sometimes and not all the time, that’s fine.

Also, under I’ve month could possibly be too early. You just want to make sure they’re settled in and comfortable before you start hand feeding. For me, it took around 3 months oR so. Some chams might take longer or earlier, it just depends.


Also, I’m also currently working on getting Spyro to trust me more. He doesn’t climb on me or anything- he’ll just accept food and stuff from my hands while I’m looking at him.


Something he did recently was grab onto the feeding cup and shove half his body in there to get to it lol. Although he can easily get them without having to do that. At least he’s starting to trust me and the cup more.

 

[korykory]

Yeah, probably the log would work. Just depends on if he feels comfortable or safe behind it.


About only having him for about less than a month, here’s a little “ test “ I guess to see if he’s ready to be hand fed:

1. When you come by his cage, does he puff up or hiss at you? Or does he hide?

2. If you stare at him, does he get nervous or scared? If it only happens sometimes and not all the time, that’s fine.

Also, under I’ve month could possibly be too early. You just want to make sure they’re settled in and comfortable before you start hand feeding. For me, it took around 3 months oR so. Some chams might take longer or earlier, it just depends.


Also, I’m also currently working on getting Spyro to trust me more. He doesn’t climb on me or anything- he’ll just accept food and stuff from my hands while I’m looking at him.


Something he did recently was grab onto the feeding cup and shove half his body in there to get to it lol. Although he can easily get them without having to do that. At least he’s starting to trust me and the cup more.

He doesn’t puff up or get defensive/scared at all when I’m near him cage, sometimes I even get really close to him (because I love to stare at him) from outside of the cage and hell just pause for a minute and then move completely fine. I’ve also never heard him hiss. He doesn’t hide either. Sometimes he’ll even sit on the top of a plant that’s right at the cage door. That’s what made me think he’d be more comfortable, it looks like he *wants* to get out and explore but again, I have no idea.

I don’t think he gets nervous when I looked at him, he’ll pause, but won’t get defensive.

I’ll wait until I try cup feeding again. Hes definitely not comfortable enough with me lol.

Thats really awesome, im so jealous!!! Spyro sounds like an amazing boy.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I had no idea about that red thing, the more you know, thanks a lot! I have other cups that’ll I’ll try to use. I’ll also try sitting off to the side and not looking at him.

Thats so nice that your Cham is finally comfortable with you, I wish!!! Now that he’s comfortable enough, does he just come out whenever you open up his cage and put your hand out or only when you have food with you ?

Oh no, my chameleon is a deeply timid little thing. He does sort of wait on the branch that I've been feeding him at now, but he is not like a hungry puppy, ready for food. It would be stinkin' cute, though. I'm not counting on it, though.

 

[Cacti3]

He doesn’t puff up or get defensive/scared at all when I’m near him cage, sometimes I even get really close to him (because I love to stare at him) from outside of the cage and hell just pause for a minute and then move completely fine. I’ve also never heard him hiss. He doesn’t hide either. Sometimes he’ll even sit on the top of a plant that’s right at the cage door. That’s what made me think he’d be more comfortable, it looks like he *wants* to get out and explore but again, I have no idea.

I don’t think he gets nervous when I looked at him, he’ll pause, but won’t get defensive.

I’ll wait until I try cup feeding again. Hes definitely not comfortable enough with me lol.

Thats really awesome, im so jealous!!! Spyro sounds like an amazing boy.

You could possibly try hand feeding / cup feeding. It may or may not work. He still may need some time to adjust. You can try again, though. It’s good that he doesn’t puff or get defensive. Unlike someone….. Although, that may change as he gets older. Around the 8 month mark, they become super territorial for some reason but then they aren’t like a month later. Can’t remember if it was 7-9 months or 8-9 months old.

Spyro also is a real character. I like to think that he puts on little acts- like “ if I don’t take the crickets out of the cup, she’ll either try harder and still stand there and beg and make those annoying noises asking me to take them or she’ll drop them in the cage. Eh, I’ll just take them. I don’t want to deal with her annoying noises and stuff today. “ that’s how I think Spyros like lol. Or at least how he acts around me. He’s only really friendly to me because when he sees other people he’s scared and puffs.

Sorry I started ranting about Spyro lol.