handling a juevinlie ...

[KClark]

how often should i handle my baby?? he is about 4 months and hides whenever i come into the room his cage is in. he doesnt show any signs of being mad, just worried. should i try and work with him every day to get him use to me or will that stress him out??

 

[carol5208]

you are probably gonna get mixed reviews on this one! When I bought my cham at 4 months, I got him from a breeder who totally encouraged handling. When I called her and told her in the beginning he did not want any part of it, she told me to stand my ground and continue to try. What she suggested first, was to put a stick in the cage and gently place it under his neck. Kind of pull up on it and lift him so he gets the urge to climb. She told me to do this everyday and alteast try and if it worked to take him out of the cage for 5 to 10 mintues. I followed what she told me to do and then eventually quit using the stick and started using my hand with a glove on it for precaution. What really turned my chameleon tame was opening up the door and letting him come out on his own terms. Once they are out of their cages they tend to not be so aggressive and feel that you are intruding on their space. So, now 5 months later, I handle him everyday, by letting him come out of the cage first. I even sit on my computer (his cage is next to mine) and he reaches out to come on my desk if I am at the computer sitting. Also,I see nothing wrong with having a cham in a high traffic area because they seem to get used to people. If you have him hidden away in a room somewhere, where they get little human contact then I think you are going to have a problem getting them used to you. This is just my opinion and it works for me!

 

[KClark]

thanks! ... precautions? did yours bite? i have handled mine a few times and he only tries to scurry back to his tree but never showed agression

 

[carol5208]

never bit, but would puff up and open his mouth and I did not want to take the chance! There are plenty of people on here who have been bitten by their chams. I guess it doesn't hurt all that bad but I don't wanna find out! lol! He is pretty mellow now and I handle him everyday. Do you have somewhere where you could free range him, like a patio or a plant or something?. They are much friendlier ONCE you get them out of their cages!

 

[KClark]

oh great! im excited because he has only puffed up once and that was because my little sister was bugging him! thanks so much

 

[carol5208]

you are welcome! I hope you will have a friendly cham. It makes life so much easier taking care of them and all.