holding your chameleon?

[Janetta]

Okay so this is my first chameleon, i've had lizards and frogs on the pretty but he is my first chameleon. I have a male veiled chameleon who is still very young. I've had him one month now.

Everything o have read had said not to handle them, they get easily stressed, but reading here it sounds as tho allot of people do. I'm just confused... Is handling okay? Recommended, not recommended?

He's better then when I first got him, but at first even just watching him he turned black and tried to bite. He doesn't do that anymore when i'm messing with his cage, now he just moves away, but keeps a good color. I think he is warming up to me but I haven't picked him up since I got him...

 

[mirrinias]

I've only had my baby (well, 4.5 months) veiled since Friday, but I've held him 5-10 minutes every day. I find the trick is to move VERY slowly underneath him. He's hissed at me a few times, but it's only happened when I am moving too quickly. If I move slowly enough, I can move my hand very close to him in the cage without him moving.

Never go for your chameleon from above, mine HATES that. If he's sitting on your hand, and not getting too grumpy, you could try gently stroking those little spikes under his chin. Mine either likes it or, at the very least, doesn't mind it, haha.

My little guy still hasn't handfed since the first day I got him, but since he's fairly good-natured about me holding him (for a chameleon, that is) I haven't pushed too hard with that.

Nevertheless, he much prefers my coleus in the window

 

[pssh]

Some are okay with handling, others never get used to it. Never force handling unless its absolutely needed. That just gets them all upset. A good way to get them used to you and see you in a good light is to hand feed. Once you hand feed they begin to associate you with good things and handling tends to become easier.

 

[myma81]

Hi Janetta,
I confess I'm no I'm no expert, same as you actually, I've owned many reptiles but now have my 1st chameleon after years of wanting one. I hand picked mine from a large clutch because he was the friendliest. I have held him and hand fed him every day (unless he is particularly moody) since he came home with me, he is now 3 months+. I guess I'm trying to say that they can be handled but it depends on the individual chameleon, I assume they all have very different personalities. Mine seems to be fine. I put my hand in the cage and he usually comes straight over to me and walks up my arm. I am guessing this is because I hand feed him calci-worms daily and wax worms as a special treat, so he knows he's onto a sure thing. Also he knows the sight of my arm means he gets to leave his home, walk around our house and sit in my window.
I would say carry on trying, but it may take some time and never handle him if he doesn't look willing. Also offer food from your hand and see if he'll take it. xx

 

[K9Luvn]

I have 3 and they all have different personalities.
My Ambilobe Panthers would be stressed if I didn't pick him out every time I walk by him. He literally will reach his arms out for me!!! He also does not know a stranger!! I mean he would be fine with what anyone did with him. He love human companionship!!
My Sambava Panther is a bit of a troll. From the time I got him did not like to be handled. Now he has associated being taken out of his cage daily for free range and he is fine with that. However he only lets me and does not want anyone else near him.
My Veiled is a bit timid at times. He lets me get him out of the cage and wants to be on his free range... but I have to watch him as he is a jumper. If I walk near something that he thinks is close enough going to his free range he will try to jump right out of my hands to it.... and his perception is a bit off and I don't want him to hit the floor!
They all will let me stroke them.... but 2 of them only want it when they want it .

 

[Janetta]

That's some great information! I'm going to see if he lets me pick him up now. I never tried because I just flat out thought you weren't suppose to. =) he seems to be okay even when my dog watches him. (he sits on the edge of the bed at stares lol) but i'm for sure going to see how he would like being In the window

 

[creddjobs]

Okay so this is my first chameleon, i've had lizards and frogs on the pretty but he is my first chameleon. I have a male veiled chameleon who is still very young. I've had him one month now.

Everything o have read had said not to handle them, they get easily stressed, but reading here it sounds as tho allot of people do. I'm just confused... Is handling okay? Recommended, not recommended?

He's better then when I first got him, but at first even just watching him he turned black and tried to bite. He doesn't do that anymore when i'm messing with his cage, now he just moves away, but keeps a good color. I think he is warming up to me but I haven't picked him up since I got him...

I hold mine when he comes out on his own. I dont force him out unless I need to do something. other than that he climbs up the door, allowing him to walk on my hand.

 

[Swayne8998]

Yeah, you want them to come to you. Handling is just peachy when they feel like it But let them make their own decision. When he decides to, be patient, and he will come back. Handling tames chams But again, they all have different personalities.

 

[Olimpia]

I will echo what everyone else has said, respect your animal's individual disposition and go from there.

I'm attaching my blog on how I have tried associating myself with good things and managed to get fairly friendly chameleons: http://muchadoaboutchameleons.blogspot.com/2012/04/to-handle-or-not-to-handle.html
These tricks (like handfeeding) usually yield at least some positive results, so I think they're worth trying. The less terrified of you your chameleon is the better it'll be for everyone if you ever need to give them medicine, take them to the vet, or move them around.

 

[Janetta]

I will try and see if he will come to me. I.don't want to stress him at all. He might like the window tho =)

 

[burnedrose]

Kukui is my year old veiled ... and he is totally cool with being handled! The only issue I have with him is when I first open the cage. But if his door is open for about 2 or 3 minutes, he realizes that nothing bad is going to happen and he will waltz right onto my hand, happy as can be. He will go to other people, he will climb around and walk around and even fall asleep on my hand. He will go for car rides with me to the bank and just perch on my hand while I drive. He will eat while sitting on my hand and he is, generally, an amazing chameleon to have. He started off being kind of mean and bitchy but after about three months of handling every other day or so, he is totally fine.

However, my Jackson's HATED handling. More so the females than the males. The males would chill for a few minutes but get obviously aggravated after about ten minutes and the females wouldn't even let you get close without getting aggressive.

I also know people who free range their chameleons and find their chameleons, in the morning, sleeping on the headboard of their bed - as close to cuddling as they get, I suppose!

It really depends on the temperament of the chameleon.