Free Ranging Indoors for First Time - Advice Wanted

[blue_cham]

Hey everybody! I have two male panthers, 9 mos each. My first cham kids Unfortunately when I first got them at 3mos, I was "forcing" their handling by nudging onto my hand. After reading though, I have backtracked and started from square one. They have made much more progress now. They are eating from my fingers but I have not tried any more handling yet. I am in beginning stages of a free range area that they can use on alternating days. I can create a walkway to the free range area since they are not used to being held yet... but if I do that, is there a chance they will not return to their cage at night? I don't want them getting into a situation where I have to pick them up, and set back all of the trust I've built. Especially with my ambilobe, he has been dealing with vet visits and eye meds, making our trust progress very rocky :/ I also thought I might hold off on giving them access to the free range and using it as incentive to handling? So, advice? Suggestions? Most appreciated!

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

Whenever you free range the,, they should be under human supervision. Also, be sure to keep them away from anything unstable, breakable, hot (such as lights or a fireplace) and mirrors, because most of them are very defensive and territorial. Keep working on trust, and then they will probably be more comfortable with free ranging, and you will too.

 

[jamest0o0]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about having to gently lift them up if you have to. I do all the time and my Panthers gladly walk into my hands most of the time. Even my parson's doesnt mind. The key is to just have them relate being held with getting something they enjoy, like going outside in the sun.