Another Question....

[lilLostduckie]

So when we visited PJ at the shelter yesterday, we moved some of the ornaments in his cage around to get a better view of him, as the other cham he came in with had a large growth on his eye.

When we got near him, he was obviously not used to handling in the least, and was very aggressive towards me moving things around.

I have no issue with that, as I don't plan on handling him on a daily basis. But I am worried about moving him from the rescue to my home, and cleaning the cage in the future. I don't want to overly stress him.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to ease the transition for him?

He has definitely been neglected in his last home, and has been living in a fish tank most of his life, though they did provide UVB lighting. I'm hoping to spoil him from here on out.

Also, any ideas as to how to appropriately estimate his age? I will post pictures as soon as I get him tomorrow.

 

[MollyT]

Mine gets pretty stressed when I handle him, but it has gotten a lot better in the month that I have had him. The first time I cleaned his cage, We took the plant out with him on it, so we weren't actually handling him. He did really well, as long as we didn't come too close to him while we were cleaning. Now, when I was cleaning the branches and leaves of the plant he was on, he freaked out. That seemed to work, though. I'm glad you are saving your little one from a sad situation. Sounds like he is going to have a great home with you!

 

[lovepicasso]

Mine doesn't mind being handled at all.....so glad you're going to get that baby to a much better home.....best of luck with him.

 

[absolutbill]

When you move him from the rescue to your home (awesome that you are doing this BTW!), have a shoebox with something in there for him to hold on to. Once he's in there, shut the lid and he'll calm down right away. It will be stressful for him getting into that box, though.

Once he's home and settled, start sitting in a chair outside his cage - have the chair on an angle, so you are not staring directly at him. Read a book or play on your phone, but get him used to being near him. Feed him while seated in that chair so that you are lower than he is and to help him get comfortable. After a week or so, open his door, but continue to read/play on your phone. He'll get curious and will probably start thinking about coming out to see you. Good luck!

 

[lilLostduckie]

Thanks so much for the advice, I will definitely try it out! Where his cage is located is by the kitchen table, though we don't eat there, it is used for homework.

Hubby and I are both getting out Masters. So we thought it would be good, we sit there quietly for a few hours almost everyday focusing on work and studying. Occasionally making fun of each other hehe.

It would be wonderful if he would like to interact with us, though we aren't getting our hopes up.

 

[Carlton]

Chams usually hate changes in their turf. If he's never had a visually secure place to he's learned that more aggression makes the annoying humans go away. Sounds like he's been through a lot in a short time so he's reacting whenever more change happens. I think once he gets time to settle into a habitat that provides places to watch the world hidden from view, his territory stops being rearranged, food, water, lighting all help him health wise, he may mellow out. No guarrantees, but he may surprise you.