Handling My Chameleon

[TexasFan914]

Hello everyone! This is my first post on the forum. I am on several Bearded Dragon forums and have had a beardie for three years. I just recently got my first Chameleon. I know they are different than dragons but I have read several conflicting perceptions on handling them. So my questions are...do they like to be held? Should they be held? If so, any techniques? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[carol5208]

This is a great debate! Some people says chameleons only tolerate handling while others say their chameleons actually enjoy it. Some chameleons don't mind being held and some do. It depends on the temperment of you chameleon. Some will never tolerate handling and try and bite you every time you open the cage door. Others will come running to climb onto your hand. It is kinda luck of the draw and also the way you interact with your chameleon. If you just got him, I would give him atleast a few weeks to settle in before you try handling him. It is a stressful time for them as is being in a new environment. You can try hand feeding him insects so he will associate your hand with something good and not something that is going to hurt him or eat him!

 

[ReptileLove18]

Welcome to the forum! glad to have you here! would love to see some pics of your new friend

as carol said, there is a huge debate on this subject! and each chameleon has its own personality therefore will deal with handling in its own way. they are all territorial so that is to be kept in mind! definitely let him settle in for several weeks before you do start trying to handle him as he needs to feel comfortable in his enviroment before any new things are added in. in my opinion, handling is a good thing in small doses to start with once you chameleon is all settled in. its very good to try to have him associate you with food, they love food

check out this blog on taming chameleons by a fellow member, its great! https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/psychobunny/746-taming-chameleon.html

 

[biffle]

They have the similar rules as a bird. Bring your hand to them slowly, in front of them, and under their feet. Then move your hand up to just above what they are standing on. If they are ready, thier natural instinct to step up kicks in just like a bird. At first they will step half way onto your hand leaving their rear legs and tail tightly around a branch.
With my free hand I’ll gently rub their feet to get them to release. The same works for their tail. I gently rub it until they release. As soon as they are on you, make sure thier tail wraps around your finger, wrist, or hand. I do not walk with them until they have their tail in position.

Also Just like a bird, never grab them from their top back or force their feet off of a branch. Let them step on you when they are ready. Give it time and never force them and they will reward you when they are ready. I've found that my males get bored with their cage and want to come out around 9 months. I guess they want to look for chicks?

This is by no means fact, just my experience.

 

[Chachachameleon]

Always come from below dont just pick them up until they are super relaxed and used to you. A good technique is get a bowl and fill it with food and hold it outside the cage and put your hand in front of the bowl so they have to step on your hand to get to the food or just slowly work with them it depends on their personality. Good luck hopefully yours is chill