How do you guys interact or bond with your chameleon?

[SomeRandomPerson]

Sup guys. I just want a little advice in how to interact with your chameleon... I don't like seeing my chameleons throat puff slightly and i dont like it when he gets scared :/ can you guys help me on how to interact with it so it can be use to me?

 

[ken2414]

well if he doesnt like to be handled, which some people cant resist when they are young, you have to show that your not always there to pick him up or take him from his home. usually i get my interaction by putting in the feeding cup and just holding it for him to eat out of. he usually just grabs the cup and holds it himself for some reason, but i like to have him used to my hands being in his cage showing i am not going to hurt him. after a while my chameleon recognizes me and promptly hisses and puffs up at anyone that isnt my hand but if thats not bonding I dont know what is

 

[pssh]

Some never get used to people. Many learn that you are not a threat if you do not bother it very often, always come with good things (like food or free-range time,) and you aren't wearing anything that might upset the animal. Not using both eyes to look at them can help too.

 

[Jimturner]

I would say my chams are very food motivated... Almost all my chams seem to recognize me as their "feeds me" and are quite interested in my arrival. lol Try hand feeding. Cheers!

 

[Tifanydalpont]

hand feeding !!! after u do it he see u as some one who provides food after a month or two of that he'll see u and say" hey thats the person who give me food" and will no longer see u ass a threat.. try horned worm and silk worms they love them and a alot healther then most worms... u can by them online a murberry farms .com.. try it good luck!!!

 

[Elizadolots]

hmmm...I just sort of accept that he hates me. I'm sure that doesn't help, but maybe knowing that you're not alone is good?

 

[Tifanydalpont]

my cammy hated me for about 4 months when i first got him... hes was 5 inches long after i hand feed him every day for two month he no longer was scared of me now his about 10 months old and when ever he sees, he knows i have food!!! I hand feed him in the morning, then later in the day, he'll decide he want to explore out his cage... thats when his walk right to the door of his cage.... i'll open it and slowly put my hand in then he'll crawl on to my hand and chill there for me to place him on the tree.... tree that he loves ...i hold he tail so he doesnt fall he dosnt mind it at all!!! after a few hours.. i then put my hand under him and slowly move up until all his legs are on my fings and the put him back in his cage!!! during this process no color change, no hiss, no nothing,!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SageZA]

Rocco is used to me picking him up if i approach nicely.

He bit me for the first time two days ago. I kinda cornered him without noticing that i am, i look down and see him mouth wide open and crunch... His got me by the thumb, i have never felt something bite me with so much jaw power holy krap. I am fine he is fine.

Best way to handle them is not to corner them and let them try climb onto your hand.

Thing is rocco is very tame but never say never they bite hard.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/chameleon-handling-question-58384/#post547839

 

[fluxlizard]

Hand feed daily for a while if you want him to trust you.
Don't expect "bonding" - they aren't mammals and they are territorial and somewhat solitary for the most part by nature.
But if you hand feed daily for a few months and then go back to occasional handfeeding along with other feeding methods, most will eventually hurry to the front of the enclosure and watch your hand for treats, rather than react negatively when you approach.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Hand feeding is a great way to gain trust IMO. Thats how I got Ranger to be the way he is. But I didnt not handle him AT ALL the first month I had him. I just sat in the room and watched him everyday. I think that help him know I was not a danger to him. Because he saw me everyday, and I didnt hurt him or try to touch him.
This is him now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkPtTAzHOK8

 

[jannb]

I truly love my guys and spend tons of time interacting with them. I spoil them by pretty much allowing them to do whatever they want as long as it's safe for them. I try to let mine do fun things that chameleons really like to do. Like go outside, hang in the trees on my screened back porch and so forth. Another example is yesterday I was holding my baby Elly as I went over to turn out the lights on her big daddy Luie's free range. Baby L was madly reaching and grabbing for the giant free range so this morning I let her hang out in the big free range for a couple of hours while Luie was in another free range in the back. It takes very simple thing to give them pleasure and make them happy.

So my suggestion to you it every time he comes out to allow him to do something fun. Like a walk outside. Buy him a large plant or tree to hang out on in a safe area when you can closely supervise. He'll come around in no time.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Once again...Jann with thouhtful advice that enhances a Chams life, and advice that can enhance your time with your Cham.
As always, thank you!

 

[imcurt]

Its all about positive or negtive exsprence as far as how they react to you.I have 1 male that I had to treat for an eye issue and im fairly sure he hate me. buy will take food from my hand once in a while. Another male i have likes to come out and climb all over me.He has never had a negtive exsprence. I feel the same as others about the food connection.Give them there space and feed them and they will come see you. if your looking for more than that get a puppy.lol

 

[kinyonga]

Some of them just never become friendly even if they haven't had any negative experiences. Just like people...each has its own "personality" and sometimes you just have to take it for what it is.

 

[Dave Bull]

I truly love my guys and spend tons of time interacting with them. I spoil them by pretty much allowing them to do whatever they want as long as it's safe for them. I try to let mine do fun things that chameleons really like to do. Like go outside, hang in the trees on my screened back porch and so forth. Another example is yesterday I was holding my baby Elly as I went over to turn out the lights on her big daddy Luie's free range. Baby L was madly reaching and grabbing for the giant free range so this morning I let her hang out in the big free range for a couple of hours while Luie was in another free range in the back. It takes very simple thing to give them pleasure and make them happy.

So my suggestion to you it every time he comes out to allow him to do something fun. Like a walk outside. Buy him a large plant or tree to hang out on in a safe area when you can closely supervise. He'll come around in no time.

I think it is all about trust. My Yemen trusts me to utmost he always is willing to come to my hand. Not so much bonding. But as you say let them do fun things as in the wild. On nice warm sunny days pike is out in garden, but I dont let him climb the big trees And every evening when i come in from work he gets free range of my appartment till bed time

 

[AReptile]

I think I might be the only one with a bipolar chameleon lmao. One minute she just sees me near her cage and her mouth opens and she goes nuts and another i'll just stick my hand out and she climbs right up my hand like it's nothing. I don't get her at all! She isn't bothered by my presence though, only when i get near her she starts to act up. My new guy is a lot more timid, he sees me and he tries to hide. He hardly ever opens his mouth at me though, I've actually successfully handled him already while it took several months for me to get Curtis to willingly climb on me lol.

 

[chamelon300]

My chamelon always seem to be in a very good mood when ever i open his cage he leaps on to my arm.had feedinng works best! He will have trust in u to hold him but dknt think holding chamelons everyday is normal you also have to give them there space so that they dont become stressed

 

[Rex21]

My cham rex dosent like to be held. He leard that when the door is open i can put my hand in and he gose nuts. All the other times i could touch him when his by the screen he lets me touch him and stuf but as soon as i opne the cage he turns dark, puff up, and runs to the bottom hah. He also learned how to get me to feed him, he shoots his tounge at the cup even tho he has no food he shoot it a coulp of time till he see me go for his cup and feed him hah

 

[Diego Lamb]

Not using both eyes to look at them can help too.

Well I found this hilarious.

My Chameleon was about 5months old when I got him, and he was very scared around people. I starter with leaving his cage doors open while I was in the room, removing this barrier is a good first step. I then started to hand feed him. A few weeks ago I started handling him for the first time.

1) Never bring your hand from above him - its threatening. Instead slowly move your hand towards him from below...if he flares up, hisses, or snaps at you hes not ready to be handled (some Chameleons may never be 'ready').
2) If your chameleon does not appear scared or intimidated by your hand you should try and softly touch/stroke under the chin. You will find that if you arr gentle the chameleon wilk generlly step onto your hand from there. Be slow and dont make any sudden movements.
3) Aftet the chameleon has grabbed onto your hand/finger...you should be able to slowly lift him up.

If you have a shy chameleon like mine was things will take a little longer. I strongly suggest that you dont remove him from his enclosure the first time he steps onto you...simply hold your hand inside the cage, and let him get used to you overtime.