Help!?!

[NBWinston]

When I handfeed, I enclose my hand around the cricket then I slowly open my hand in front of my cham. For some reason the crickets rarely flee this way and Winston usually grabs them before my hand is even open all the way. I have been bitten a few times when holding crickets by the legs. It doesn't really hurt but still, I do not like it!

 

[DanSB]

Isn't it funny how we universally dread being bitten by crickets eventough it doesn't even really hurt?

 

[DekuScrub]

Isn't it funny how we universally dread being bitten by crickets eventough it doesn't even really hurt?

only feeders ive ever been bitten by are crickets and those biznatches hurt! you must have sissy tu tu crickets if those mofos dont hurt as adults. STILL the stigma that "crickets will eat youre chameleon alive:" are ridiculous. at least im my experience. but ive seen some nasty pics. so i cant judge. i still just free range the feeders (unless my cham like em out of a cup)

 

[DanSB]

Don't talk smack on how manly my crickets are! ha

I hear the Jamaican crickets can actually draw blood. Most don't draw blood tough and that is my requirement for a bite to hurt.

 

[Olimpia]

I've always thought this: If you found yourself in a cage, unable to escape, and had this big terrifying creature walk in front of the cage every day, capable of opening the cage, and terrified that it would hurt you somehow, you would live with a certain level of stress every day. Where as a chameleon that isn't scared of you sees you every day, associates you with food and maybe outside time, isn't going to see you as that scary thing that could hurt him at any moment. I believe the second chameleon will live with a lot less stress over his lifetime.

I have mine out several times a week, usually to move them inside and out to get sunlight, but my panthers are all pretty comfortable with me. In fact, they come up to me in case I have food.

If you can work slowly to build trust with your chameleon I believe that they will be better for it in the long run. Even if you never get to hold them, if they are comfortable with you in their cage, that's already a great step forward.