Handling your chameleon

T

TiyahLove

New Member
I used to have a jacksons chameleon and she loved attention. I had her in a extra large reptibreeze that had vines attached to plants and ropes all over the room. Whenever I was home the cage door was always open and she was allowed to roam the room. Whenever I was at my computer desk she would always come over and reach out for me until I would put my arm out and she would sit on my shoulder or the top of my head while I did my work.
My new veiled is very different. He tolerates it, but he isn't all that happy about it. I know he's still getting used to his new home and he is still young so his true character hasn't quite developed yet.

My main question is will he ever be okay with handeling? Is it okay for me to handle him for short periods?

I have been working with him giving him water via syringe, hand feeding, and cup feeding to let him know that the hand is good it brings food and isn't a scary thing. Is there any way other than what I'm already doing to give a posative view to him handeling is a good thing and he won't get hurt?
 
Not all chams are the same. He might not like handling at all..

I would do the same thing with your jacksons to the veiled. Open the cage and let him come out to you, on his own terms.
 
Hand feeding and letting him explore your room with supervision would be the best thing to do. But all chams are different just like humans some may want attention and some may just want to be alone and read a book.
 
He's taking very well to being hand and cup fed. I leave the enclosure door open at all times when I'm at home to allow him to go to the free range enclosure if he wants to. He's still not brave enough to come out to the free range yet. I'm trying everything to give him a positive association with my hand such as food and water. I haven't picked him up yet unless it's to add something to his enclosure or clean up poo off branches. I always use the correct approach when doing this instead of scooping him on my hand or reaching about him and just grabbing him and pulling him off his limb I just place my hand under his chin with a food item on my wrist to let him decide if he wants to grab on or not.
 
Just pinch the feeder with your left hand, hold it where your elbow creases, and hold out your hand so that the cham has to crawl on your hand for its tongue to reach the feeder by your elbow. :)
 
SaintJimmy said:
Just pinch the feeder with your left hand, hold it where your elbow creases, and hold out your hand so that the cham has to crawl on your hand for its tongue to reach the feeder by your elbow. :)
Click to expand...

That sounds like a better idea! He normally steps on my hand anyway to get to the goodies, but having him crawl further may make it a bit easier to work with.
 
Today I think we actually made progress. He climbed over to me and perched on my shoulder for a little while. I enjoyed his comfort and I think he enjoyed hid nice warm nap on my shoulder. I love how these animals are so responsive to positive reinforcement with patience, they are extremely intelligent and bright. I think that's part of the reason I love chameleons. I love working with them and learning more about them and their own individual personalities.
 
xcrystalx said:
your doing great!:)
just give him time hun
id love to see a picture of him x
Click to expand...

I've made a breakthrough with him. He loves coming out of the enclosure and he's to the point where he won't take water unless it being given by a syringe by me. Every time I go near his enclosure he reaches out to grab me and as soon as I place my hand in front of him he is more than willing to climb on up. He perches on my shoulder and sits there for as long as he wants. I've noticed his colors get a lot brighter when he comes out of his enclosure as well. He changes from drab dark grey colors to stunning greens, golds, and blues.
 
great news hun! so happy for you.its a great feeling isnt it.with time patience and love he will learn you are not a threat,well some do lol xx:)

well come on lets see some piccys then! lol x
 
This is his favorite place to be. Any time I walk by he's ready to come on over :)
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    54.5 KB · Views: 184
I have had two chameleons. 1 male Jacksons and 1 female veiled. Both very different personalities. I treated them the same. My jacksons loved to be held and hand fed. My veiled hated everyone and everything. She eventually came around to letting me hand feed, but always hissed and gaped when I tried to handle her.

Just give the dude some time
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BleuSaphir
Chameleons and crawling up to you
Replies
10
Views
981
dinomom
dinomom
Amadeus_peasant
NEW MOON REPTILES
Replies
12
Views
2K
Amadeus_peasant
Amadeus_peasant
M
ISO new home for 1 yo panther chameleon
Replies
0
Views
401
Mfohlin
M
C
Carmelo
Replies
6
Views
1K
MissSkittles
MissSkittles
Maddiyey
Blue’s behaviour
Replies
3
Views
568
Maddiyey
Maddiyey
Back
Top Bottom