Handling a shy Chameleon

[Slofe]

I've had my veiled for a couple of months now and he's just coming up to 5 months old. He's eating well, is active, well hydrated and seams to love it in his viv. He's quite a gentle soul and rarely puffs up or gapes at me even with my hand in the viv. I've only seen him go totally dark twice and neither time was my fault, he ate a roach that was a bit too big and got cross with it lol.

However, he is very nervous, he has no problem hand feeding from me but when I put his feeding dish in he sways a bit and kind of ducks behind his basking branch. When he comes to the front of the viv I can put my hand really close to him and he'll be fine, but when I go just that little bit further he gets nervous and retreats to the back of his viv to hide in his pothos. Now i'm really not interested in getting him out loads, if at all, he gives me plenty of laughs and joy just watching him be him. I will have to get him out eventually so I can give him a health check so how do I do this? Is it just a case of carrying on offering my hand to him until he gets up the courage to step on? or is there another way I can do it without making him too nervous? thanks.

 

[lizardboy119796]

Usually chams get nervous and more aggresive as they age, so its kind of like a giant hand coming into your house and moving things around, but hes alright hes just maturing

 

[hallenhe]

Sometimes they can be bribed - open the viv, hold one arm out to the open door, and hold a treat - in view, but not in reach - at about the elbow of your outstretched arm. That worked for my guy; he'd climb right on me to get his bug.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Best ways would be Leaving the door open and/or encouraging him with food to exit onto a branch you are holding or your arm

If HAVE to get him out, and nice methods arent working, one somewhat stressfull but effective method is to place a tea towel over him, and gently gently release his feet from the branches, keep him wrapped so he doesnt bit you. Having their eyes covered sometimes calms them (sometimes aggrevates and scares them).
You could also wait for night time, when he is asleep and thus less likely to freak out, and use the towel method.

 

[dodolah]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-handle-chameleon-18438/

 

[Slofe]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-handle-chameleon-18438/

Yeah I saw that vid and it's great but the chameleons are just sitting there, my fella runs if I get my hand near him. I think, if i'm honest, I may be being a bit of a wuss lol. I'm not so much scared of him I just really don't wanna stress him out.

 

[dodolah]

Yeah I saw that vid and it's great but the chameleons are just sitting there, my fella runs if I get my hand near him. I think, if i'm honest, I may be being a bit of a wuss lol. I'm not so much scared of him I just really don't wanna stress him out.

Go slowly but steady.
Once you get your hands there, don't hesitate. Hesitation only prolong the annoyance and stress level of your chameleon.

At the same time, don't move too fast as if you are trying to catch a jumping cricket.
If you are afraid getting bitten, get a garden glove or some oven mitten.
Try to buy the earthy color gloves (such as muted green, light brown, etc)
Avoid getting flashy color such as bright red, yellow, etc.

Some level of stress is unavoidable.
As long as you don't do it too often, it should be fine.

Another way is by using your hand as a distraction while putting your other hand at his feet level. Coaxed him to climb at that hand by using your distraction hand.

Your chameleon might be more comfortable to climb a stick instead of hand.
Get a small branch and coaxed him to climb on that branch.

 

[MutantHybrid]

Hello Slofe,

My female Veiled Chameleon acts exactly like that. Watch that video about handling your chameleon as it is helpful. I know what you mean about the little lizard running away though. Once you have him at a corner or on a dead end stick just place one hand under his abdomen as the video shows and spead your fingers slightly, then lift a little. The minute all four feet are gripping your fingers, lift gently, slowly, yet without hesitation or the cham will hop off and go somewhere else. Use your other hand to help keep this from happening and to keep the lizard occupied. If yours really is like mine you will be unlikely to get bitten, just a little shyness. Once he is in your hand he should calm down. Transfer him to a potted plant or temporary enclosure to clean his cage, inspect him, to take him to the vet as needed.

One interesting aspect with my chameleon is that she recognizes me with my glasses on, and puffs up and uses a slight threat display when I get close to her without my glasses on. The colors you wear will also act as cues to the chameleon. If your wearing dark colors you will seem to be making a threat display of your own.

 

[Slofe]

Well I had a go at doing it today and no dice . I tempted him down off his perch with a wax worm. I tried holding it on my arm by the elbow in the hope that he'd climb on but he wouldn't, I tried holding it in one hand and outstretching the other but nothing again. I then tried to put my hand under him and lift but he moved quicker than i've ever seen and raced up the side if the viv! I tried one more thing and offered him my black plastic tweezers to climb onto and this made him hiss, and that's the first time i've heard him hiss! gonna try the stick idea next.