Building a relationship

[Jimmy Filth]

Anyone got any tips on the best way to start to build the best possible relationship with their cham??

I feel Woody is on the cusp of going either way. Sometimes she'll come out on her own, sometimes she doesn't want to know, sometimes she'll take food from my hand, sometimes not.

Last night she came out and really didn't want to go back in her viv, the night before she had no interest in leaving it.

 

[cushcameleon]

Well as I'm sure you already know, chameleons are easily stressed out. Time is the best thing that works; your chameleon will begin to recognize you and may possibly relax when it comes to handling. It's all up in the air, some are friendly others are not, but you shouldn't go out of your way to try and "tame" them.

 

[Jimmy Filth]

yeah, i'm aware that they are easily stressed out. I'm trying not to handle it much for the moment, as i've only had her two weeks.

As a beginner though i'm really not sure of the best course of action. She seems to be more friendly than angry.

 

[eisentrauti]

It's a stupid reptile and no human ! Buy a cat or a dog if you want a kind of relationship with your pet...

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

It's a stupid reptile and no human ! Buy a cat or a dog if you want a kind of relationship with your pet...

was that a joke

 

[Jimmy Filth]

surely there will be a relationship of some description between any animal in your care??

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

surely there will be a relationship of some description between any animal in your care??

Ur not saying this to me right?

 

[eisentrauti]

was that a joke

No ?!? They are wild animals and there are nearly no reasons why to handle chameleons this way

 

[eisentrauti]

surely there will be a relationship of some description between any animal in your care??

What do you mean

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

No ?!? They are wild animals and there are nearly no reasons why to handle chameleons this way

Yes that's true but what was with Its a stupid reptile and no human!

 

[eisentrauti]

In comparison to (most) humans and other mammals, reptiles are not very intelligent. It's enough to survive in their habitats but not much more. Some of the bigger ones are even able to distinguish between single humans but that's the peak of their intelligence

 

[Goggles]

Benny, does that mean the Barry Manilow music and candle light cricket dinners are not going to work? Man have I been wasting my time!

 

[Frock]

Considering intelligence is defined by humans it seems totally unfair to call a chameleon stupid. If you put a human intellect in a chameleon's body it wouldn't know what to do with itself, tongue accuracy, camoflage behaviors, and mating would be impossible. A chameleon has its own intellect, and has honed the use of its capacities just as much as any human has, it just has a much different set of tools.

My 2c

 

[eisentrauti]

Read my post complete...As I said it's enough to survive not more not less...

 

[sinisterchameleon23]

i think if you were a chameleons size and were in the wild you would not be able survive.........as with the chameleon it has instinct and intelligance to find and eat food and survive

 

[Jimmy Filth]

eisentrauti,

I think there has been a misunderstanding with my post, when I say relationship I don't want to play fetch with the thing, or want it to come to it's name,

A relationship is a connection, association or involvement between two living things. By feeding and looking after a cham, A relationship is occurring. I meant I want mine to be a good one.

I don't want Woody to freak out if I go near the viv.

Already Woody has taken food from me, but won't take food from anyone else, surely this must show some recognition??

 

[jake01]

My cham now associates me with food and approaches the front of the cage when i open it. Seems to help put him in an easy position to be lifted out, as does practicing proper handling technique.

 

[sinisterchameleon23]

how can you try an hate on chameleons on a chameleon forum!!!!

 

[jake01]

It's a stupid reptile and no human ! Buy a cat or a dog if you want a kind of relationship with your pet...

pretty sure this poster is being affected by an english language barrier, not understanding that relationship can mean different things.

 

[eisentrauti]

I think rather than you ... You guys here are taking this too emotional. A chameleon has many great adaptions to its ecosystem, but their brain itself is probably busy enough to absorb the informations which they get from their eyes.

@Jimmy: Sorry for misunderstanding, but too many "animallovers" treat reptiles like mammals.
Your right that they can learn to differentiate between faces but that's more another way to survive, he/she has learned to connect you with food