Help/ suggestions

[Bsmith88]

So I have about a 6-8 month old veiled chameleon. I've been hand feeding daily for the past 2-3 months since I've got him.

He's been skittish since I've got him but eats from hands no problem. Even on occasion has walked up and ever so gently bit them directly from my hand. It was cute and I thought a sign I was making progress.


I don't force my hand on him. I'll slowly put it by him in hopes he'll grab hold. But he'll either just walk away or hiss.

Well I'm being very patient and don't want to upset him. Feeding him by hand daily but now I'm not sure. Recently when I go to put my hands close to him he attempts to lick my finger.


I was hoping hand feeding him would let him know I mean no harm but now I'm concerned he's associated my hand with food and will consistently try and lick my finger. He hasn't bit me and I let him follow through and lick it once or twice so he might understand it's not food but he still does it. And I don't want him to damage his tpngue in the process.


If you have any suggestion or opinions on what I can do it would be greatly appreciated. I love the little dude and just want to be able to transport him when I need to do a thorough cleaning. Thanks

 

[JaguarShark]

When you say lick your finger do you mean he properly shoots his tongue out and tries to eat it? That sort of thing will be uncomfortable for him at the least and maybe would damage his tongue. I can only advise that if you want to continue hand feeding him at all then only use silkworms or superworms (so you can hold your hand flat).
Other than that you shouldn't let him "follow through" anymore, maybe stop hand feeding altogether.

For transporting him you can try to get him to walk onto a stick or plant you are holding, that is often easier than getting him directly onto your hand (and when he gets the idea he might be happier to walk onto your hand).