Attitude!

[hayden]

Ok so I finally built my veiled Valcron a partial free range. He love it and explores so much! But when I put him back in the cage for a little bit... He gets very aggressive. Should think about perminately free range him so he is less stressed and is much nicer? I used to be able to pick him up with my hand. And I also have been taking him outside for some good ol natural sunlight when it is actually sunny. But he has developed an aggressive attitude (when I put him back in the cage to warm up and eat. Any suggestions to this issue?

 

[Psychobunny]

Yeah, I can see he is very grumpy

Does he do that outside of his cage, when you are trying to get him back in?

If so, how are you getting him into the cage and how does he act once he gets in there?

 

[hayden]

It's only when I take him out a second time is when he really starts getting grumpy. He is very gentle when I put him him in( grabbing one branch and looking at me like do I really have to go in?) I would never suspect him to start acting like this and I don't want it to stay this way

 

[Psychobunny]

Just a few more questions; how old is he, is he CB from a breeder and what time of day are you letting him out, feeding, and putting him back home?

 

[hayden]

I bought him at a store not pet co but more localism store. They take alright care of their animals.... He is 2-3 months old or just plain 3. If its sunny out ill let him go outside and bask when I go to lunch from work at around 10-10:30amHe outside for a good 10 minutes. Then when I get home from work at about 3:30-4pm I have been starting to let him go on the little jungle I built for a while then when I think he could be hungry or cold I put him back in. My goal is make him feel me around means play time. He has until my lunch or after I leave to eat and do other things.

 

[Psychobunny]

All my guyz rebel when I try to get them back in their cages.
By then, their body temp has droped quite a lot since when I let them out.
When they are cold, they are less able to flee from a predator and are likely to be defensive.
I let my guys out in the afternoon when their body temp is at it's highest and they never want to go back into their cage!!

It takes time for them to learn that you are not going to harm them, even though he lets you touch him at different times, when cold they are just more cautious.
He will get used to you 'escorting' him back home with repitition.

My Smidget is at the same stage.
When they puff up, sway back and forth, and snap at you, dont be intimadated, it's all just show.
I know it looks really mean and scary, but that what it's meant to do.

Your cham at that age can not harm you but the stress is not really very good if it's done all the time.

If he knows he can get rid of you so easy, he continue to do so.
So, when he gets grumpy outside his cage, and it's time to go home, just gently and slowly slide your hand under his and let him climb on it, you will likely need to use the other hand as well to either distract him, or to catch him if he decides to make a 'U' turn.
If you feel more comfortible, you can wear gloves.
But as mean as they look, and put on a grand show, I have never been bitten.

 

[hayden]

It's only when I go to pick him up a second time after he gets warmed up when his colors really show. He has had no problem with me holding him or touching him when I take him out for an adventure. It's usually just getting him out of that cage which makes things difficult. That's why I'm using a stick haha. I don't want him to learn that biting or hissing is ok. So back to my main question. Since his attitude is much different when he's not locked up, should I consider free ranging him? My only concerns are humidity, heat, food, water, and security for me so I know he won't decide "hey I wonder what's under that door?" He is small enough to fit haha

 

[Psychobunny]

I wouldnt let him free range 27/7 unless you have all those things you mentioned, humidity, temp, UV, etc.
Plus, you would need to make it cham proff so he doesnt get hurt.

Are you letting him out 2 times a day?

Handling is something he will get used to, like I said, they hiss and snap in the beginning, but they get used to you taking them back home, but they never like it!!

 

[hayden]

Yea If anything I'd buy a safe plant and just set up the lights from there. Don't know how I'll keep up the humidity though. I don't feel like sleeping on a moist bed haha. Maybe I'll just keep taking him out every day twice a day for another week or two and see how things pan out. All I know is I gotta figure it out before he gets any bigger. Maybe put his set up in a corner with netting underneath so if he falls it won't be that far down. And it'll be something that won't hurt him like the floor haha these guys are so picky!

 

[Psychobunny]

Yeah, the older they get, the harder they are to work with.
Why dont you just let him out only once a day?
Like, in the afternoon, then put him back a few hours before bed time

 

[hayden]

I guess I could do that. Mist him ever so often while he is out and blast my heater in room. Maybe make food available?

 

[hayden]

Seeing that he's small I've been making sure his belly is always full and he always has food at the ready

 

[Psychobunny]

I just feed my guyz on the free range.
Just hold the food up to them, even a cup with cricks or whatever.
I just hold stuff like silkies in my hand and reach up to them and they snap it up

 

[hayden]

Haha lucky! He won't eat from my hand just a cup

 

[midcoastchameleon]

Haha lucky! He won't eat from my hand just a cup

It often takes a little while to get a cham to hand feed don't be discouraged. Continue to build trust with him. It can take a while in the beginning. Be prepared to hold the cricket (or worm etc) in firing range....I tend to hold it lower, it makes them more comfortable... Hold a cricket by the large back leg it will twist and be appetizing as it struggles.

But since this wasn't a hand feeding thread I will reiterate what has already been said about the biting and hissing, I know you stated you didn't want him to learn that it was okay, but by backing off you are reinforcing just that. His hissing is a bluff, chams are 99.9% bluff from colors to behaviors. Just be slow but assertive and things should follow well.

 

[hayden]

So wear a glove if I'm not in the mood to get a snip from him? And I heard black gloves are bad?

 

[SaintJimmy]

So wear a glove if I'm not in the mood to get a snip from him? And I heard black gloves are bad?

If you would like to handle him without getting nipped, I would wear gloves. Make sure they're not super dark (light gray is fine, light brown is fine, ect) and make sure the gloves aren't HUGE and bulky.

I assume you are talking about handling right?

 

[hayden]

Yes I am haha

 

[babyjoe]

I couldn't bother with a glove you'll want to get him used to your bare hand sooner or later so might aswell start as you mean to go on.now I cant really comment because I haven't been bit( though it has been tried twice or three times) but even if you did get nipped I wouldn't think it would hurt too much especially when there young

 

[hayden]

Yea I know haha. When I had my leopard geckos one bit me and tore a chunk of skin off. I will be the dominate one in this relationship