Hey I am trying to help my chan get used to me. I know that I need to hand feed him to help gain trust but he hates whenever my hands come in his cage. He is fine if I'm am atleast 6-7 feet from his cage. If I get close to his cage he starts to run and hide. Any tips on gaining trust and hand feeding?
Hand Feeding Help
- Thread starter Matthew G
- Start date
cambech
New Member
it just takes time. you could try holding a worm in your hand "palm up" and just stick your hand in the enclosure. if he's interested and hungry he'll zap it right out of your hand. might not work the first time, but eventually it should.
I noticed that after a few months of shaking a bag of crickets to dust them in front of their cages, they eventually learned to come to the front of the cage when i did this. even the meanest cham i ever had learned that shaking a bag with crickets and supplements meant dinner time and would come right to the door to be fed.
I noticed that after a few months of shaking a bag of crickets to dust them in front of their cages, they eventually learned to come to the front of the cage when i did this. even the meanest cham i ever had learned that shaking a bag with crickets and supplements meant dinner time and would come right to the door to be fed.
MelissaB
Avid Member
When I dust my crickets, I use a plastic cup. Before I dump them in the feeder cup in the cage, I'll slowly offer it to the cham I'm feeding. It took a little while, but the sight of the bugs jumping around will usually get the best of them. The cup is clear with writing on it, so I still get to see the strike. 
I hold it at an angle, so they get a clear shot, and the crickets can climb half way up.
I hold it at an angle, so they get a clear shot, and the crickets can climb half way up.
xcrystalx
New Member
hiya
personally i would hold back on the handfeeding for a week or so due to him being uncomfortable in your presence.get him used to you just being around and misting the cage and putting in his food.dont open the door or go near him for any other reason.once you see he doesnt run away and hide and seem calmer then try handfeeding at a distance.if he backs off then slowly come out and then try again the next day.just take it slow.he may not accept food at first but try and try again.some never accept food ever.
my boy is so friendly and loves being handled but even he wouldnt take food from me for 2 weeks.i would just offer food once a day.he now gobbles up anything i have wriggling around in my hands, so just give him time.you are a big predator with big hands reaching in.he needs to realise those hands bring tasty treats etc.
goodluck hun xx
personally i would hold back on the handfeeding for a week or so due to him being uncomfortable in your presence.get him used to you just being around and misting the cage and putting in his food.dont open the door or go near him for any other reason.once you see he doesnt run away and hide and seem calmer then try handfeeding at a distance.if he backs off then slowly come out and then try again the next day.just take it slow.he may not accept food at first but try and try again.some never accept food ever.
my boy is so friendly and loves being handled but even he wouldnt take food from me for 2 weeks.i would just offer food once a day.he now gobbles up anything i have wriggling around in my hands, so just give him time.you are a big predator with big hands reaching in.he needs to realise those hands bring tasty treats etc.
goodluck hun
xx
Psychobunny
Avid Member
I have a blog that may help:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/psychobunny/746-taming-chameleon.html
Generaly, if he is calm enough that he doesn't try to hide when you get close,
or open the cage, then he is ready for hand feed training.
If not, he needs more time, so just leave him alone,
Just let him see you every day, even if you cant see them in their cage, you
can bet they see you, and watching your every move.
If still shy, when you have to open the cage to clean or do something, be sure
to keep several inches from him.
Always let your cham make the first moves.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/psychobunny/746-taming-chameleon.html
Generaly, if he is calm enough that he doesn't try to hide when you get close,
or open the cage, then he is ready for hand feed training.
If not, he needs more time, so just leave him alone,
Just let him see you every day, even if you cant see them in their cage, you
can bet they see you, and watching your every move.
If still shy, when you have to open the cage to clean or do something, be sure
to keep several inches from him.
Always let your cham make the first moves.
