Cham Puberty?

[SaintJimmy]

Okay, so I've posted before on some symptoms I thought were bad, but turned out to be a bad case of chameleon puberty.

I just wanted to ask a few things.

What age does a chameleon usually enter their grumpy puberty time period? (I rescued Monty from Petco, my god he was in horrible shape. They didn't give me any info on his age OR sex, so I had to find that out by myself). If it helps, he is already developing symmetrical patterns on his 'veil' and around his eyes, and has a white stripe and a spot on either side of his belly. Also, he's very grumpy.

How long does this puberty thing take? I just want to know in case I have to handle him to take him to the vet. He is VERRRYYY moody and nearly turns black when I walk near him (which didn't happen a couple weeks ago because he had tolerated me better then) and hisses and tries to bite UNLESS I have food. I haven't gotten a chance to actually handle him yet, and when I did, it was because he walked onto my hand to get a cricket, and after eating it, he immediately puffed up and started trying to bite me. I feel like now would be a time that I could really mess up his view of me, and possibly make him hate me forever just because he's grumpy. Before this he was calm.

More info would also be appreciated if there's anything I need to look out for! Thanks

 

[Ladybones]

Can you post pictures of him? He might be starting to do a shedding they can get grumpy during a shed time. Plus just like humans we all have different personalities, My veiled is 6 and a half months old and I don't think he has gone through puberty yet, he is always nice for the most part, except when shedding time comes then he gets grumpy on me, the great puffing and hissing begins lol. I just tell him he is talk lol (they have no ear's so he can't really hear me) but i like talking to him

 

[DavidBuchan]

My boy was also tolerant but more scared of me before he became a 'big man'.
It lasted a couple of months or so. If you are the same with him (calm, patient, slow, respectful of him) then he will soon be much more tolerant of you I am sure. I know teenage times can be hard times lol Good luck with him..........

 

[squeekz1992]

Good luck. Mine just hit puberty too

 

[Ladybones]

What age is puberty?

 

[squeekz1992]

Varies as it does with children, but around 6 months I think. That's how old mine were when they hit it

 

[SaintJimmy]

Can you post pictures of him? He might be starting to do a shedding they can get grumpy during a shed time. Plus just like humans we all have different personalities, My veiled is 6 and a half months old and I don't think he has gone through puberty yet, he is always nice for the most part, except when shedding time comes then he gets grumpy on me, the great puffing and hissing begins lol. I just tell him he is talk lol (they have no ear's so he can't really hear me) but i like talking to him

http://www.flickr.com/photos/letsgetdirnty/8377902264/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/letsgetdirnty/8376817121/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/letsgetdirnty/8377886558/in/photostream

 

[DavidBuchan]

the great puffing and hissing begins lol. I just tell him he is talk lol (they have no ear's so he can't really hear me) but i like talking to him

I was doing an assignment for my course on chameleons and I cited Bartlett and Bartlett (1995) 'They literally speak with their skins' You are so right lol

 

[Ladybones]

I wonder since it looks like he has MBD if that would make him grumpy on top of puberty, He is a handsome boy and look's well fed though

 

[SaintJimmy]

I wonder since it looks like he has MBD if that would make him grumpy on top of puberty, He is a handsome boy and look's well fed though

I won't correct you there because he does have MBD to be honest. I got him from petco and I'm trying very hard to reverse the whole MBD thing as well as I can.
Thank you. I normally feed him about 5-7 crickets a day. Some I let go on the screen for him to get (so I can watch his marvelous tongue ) and the majority I feed to him by hand so he can become more tolerant of me being around him.

I try not to bother him unless it's something positive though, but I completely failed that yesterday. I left the cage door open while dusting crickets with calcium and trying to catch the little bastards. Well, turns out, my little cham walked out of his cage and decided that the screen on the other side would be a perfect place to perch.

I had to scoop him up in a pitcher with his favorite vine and ease him off the screen. He didn't enjoy it, I'll say that. Poor little guy, but that's what he gets until his freeroaming 'enclosure' is done.

 

[Ladybones]

I want to free roam my guy, but I think my cat would love to be on the hunt if that happened ha ha, but to be honest with you, I don't think my cat really pays that much attention to him. I just don't want to take that chance really. Good Luck on your grumpy man

 

[SaintJimmy]

I want to free roam my guy, but I think my cat would love to be on the hunt if that happened ha ha, but to be honest with you, I don't think my cat really pays that much attention to him. I just don't want to take that chance really. Good Luck on your grumpy man

I have a cat too. I think she knows my chameleon is there, but really doesn't care about him.

I will only freeroam him with either me in there or with my door completely shut!

 

[Sinfulintent]

I like the cat comments.. I'm not sure my 2 cats have even seen Karma except when I take him ou t and actually show them o.0 his sneaky cham walk/dance works! Interested to see what people say about puberty as mine is only 3 months or so.

 

[SaintJimmy]

I like the cat comments.. I'm not sure my 2 cats have even seen Karma except when I take him ou t and actually show them o.0 his sneaky cham walk/dance works! Interested to see what people say about puberty as mine is only 3 months or so.

Either that or the cats just think he would taste very nasty
My cat simply doesn't notice him, kind of like yours. Once I was sitting on my bed, looking at Monty and my cat jumped up on my back and looked at the cage for a minute, but then never gave it a second glance- Or even came in my room ever again!
My dad is concerned that we will walk in on kitty eating a hundred dollar lunch, but I'm sure that won't happen. Not on my watch!

Also, cherish your friendly little chameleon while you can. :\ Mine is a grumpy butthead right now, honestly. But hey, chams are chams.