Do chameleons have mood swings?

[Jonah S]

I got a 13 week old male veiled chameleon last Thursday (I named him Larry) and he seems to be acclimating pretty well to his house. For a decent part of the day he was a light brown color which kind of surprised me because he is usually a nice shade of green. I took him and his plant out and let him get some sun before it started raining and I cleaned his cage. He is now back in his cage and he is his green self and is walking around and sitting in a spot that he has seemed to take a liking to.

He is still kind of timid and he isn't quite sure what to make of me so I am not handling him unless it's necessary (like cleaning his cage out). I guess I'm curious if that it is somewhat normal for chameleons to do that. I don't expect anyone to be a 'chameleon whisperer' but I think its interesting that his colors changed after he got some fresh air and a clean(er) cage.

 

[Jeweledchameleons]

They're aware and have personalities

Congrats.

You just have to get to know the species
yes, they do have mood swings stemming from their own psychology as well.
It really helps to know what they're thinking and interested in.

Basically,

Tthe dark color is him either being very frightened or he's darkening himself up to get warm (catching more light). if he's flattened and angled broadside to the light... he's cold/trying to get UV light.
if his round body and hunkered down or hiding =frightened, scared.

Here's my very quick breakdown.

male veileds are territorial more than other animals.
that cage is his well known and inspected "home"
If he's wary of you it's because their first instinct is to say
"Backoff!, I'm a big mean chameleon" "RESPECT"
give them a moment and then they'll be like "Oh, it's you. what's up?"

From their point of view your normal movements come at them like a freight train, they can't process it from what they see fast enough... so they get defensive first, then ask questions.
just move slowly and pause for a second around 8 inches away from their bodies... read their body language and see if they calm down.
go from there.

My personal belief is that it's better for the animal to learn that you're not going to hurt it and that you do nice things that veiled chameleons like.
Like holding him while he sunbathes.
having one sit on your finger while he warms up in the sun is a great positive association to have them make. If you like your animal because you can interact with them... and they're not afraid of you because of positive interactions. both benefit and live happier lives.

trick: approach them from below chin level
slowly reach out your hand then stop at about 8 inches from the animal
hold it there for a bit until he sees you and checks you out.

Then move your hand under his chin or forearm and coax him onto your hand.
Do not grab him, especially from above.... if he refuses use your finder to gently tap his hind legs or tail. Don't pull him off.
He'll move... and he'll quickly understand that you aren't going to hurt him.
remove him from the cage slowly and pause at the cage opening.
This gives them a moment to adjust to the idea of stepping outside of their turf.

Then you can take him out of the cage and let him get some sunlight.
This will make some positive associations with you... as will feeding by hand.

(good time to leave him somewhere and quickly clean the cage).

Try not to clean out the cage while he's in it.
they see it as a territorial thing that you're violating.
and you'll be moving rapidly around, that's always viewed as nerve racking to chameleons.
Until they know you as a person... (yes they can identify people by face)
they'll always be defensive about their space to some extent. Don't take it personally. You will notice if you do things correctly that there's a whole attitude change once their out of the territory/cage many will become quite friendly and curious.. others will still be kinda wary.

Veild chameleons can become quite tame and friendly
you just need to work with them for a bit.

 

[Monkeykungphu]

Pretty cool handling tips Jeweled! I'll definitely have to try those when I get a panther later this summer.

 

[Jonah S]

That was quite a good read you posted there, I certainly appreciate that. He seems to have a good tempremant all things considered. I did see him press himself down towards one of his leaves when I was trying to get his plant out of the cage so I let him be and came back to him. He chilled out a little bit, enough for me to get him out and back into his cage though I had to use a little branch for him to climb on.

I know that moving him too much will stress him out which will lead to adverse health affects, how much is too much though? The only reason I have to take him out is to clean his cage but I don't want him freakin out every time I do.