How to handle my chameleon

Cham_boomerang

Cham_boomerang

New Member
let me start off with I know how to handle a chameleon you put your hand close to his chin or where he/she can see you and let them come to you but my problem is my chameleon keeps walking away from me I've had him for two weeks now he's good with hand feeding and me in his cage but when I try to handle him he just walks away. I know some chameleons don't like being handled but sometimes I need to I mean how do I clean his cage ??
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0856.JPG
    IMG_0856.JPG
    238.4 KB · Views: 117
I don't see anything either, but it can be tough to get a good pic. Looks like a girl :)

I'm sure you already know, but chams do not prefer to be handled much. I've read many posts on this forum that some have sweet natures and are more tolerant of interaction and some can be very unhappy and grumpy about being touched or handled. I have a sweet little girl Ophelia that is "tolerant" and most agreeable, but even then, I can tell when she's had enough attention! You may want to search this forum for handling techniques - I have found lots of great tips on this subject here. I'm sorry I'm not much more help. This is my first cham and I'm learning as I go and making changes as I learn.

I remember reading that you can, as you said, put your hand in front and then gently push from the rear until your girl is on your hand. I have had luck with a branch - put it in the cage with a blue horned worm and when Ophelia climbs on the branch to get the worm, put the branch out. Good luck!
 
opheliaeatsbugs said:
I don't see anything either, but it can be tough to get a good pic. Looks like a girl :)

I'm sure you already know, but chams do not prefer to be handled much. I've read many posts on this forum that some have sweet natures and are more tolerant of interaction and some can be very unhappy and grumpy about being touched or handled. I have a sweet little girl Ophelia that is "tolerant" and most agreeable, but even then, I can tell when she's had enough attention! You may want to search this forum for handling techniques - I have found lots of great tips on this subject here. I'm sorry I'm not much more help. This is my first cham and I'm learning as I go and making changes as I learn.

I remember reading that you can, as you said, put your hand in front and then gently push from the rear until your girl is on your hand. I have had luck with a branch - put it in the cage with a blue horned worm and when Ophelia climbs on the branch to get the worm, put the branch out. Good luck!
Click to expand...
So should I get a laying place or should I wait and see if the extra toe comes in ?
 
Cham_boomerang said:
So should I get a laying place or should I wait and see if the extra toe comes in ?
Click to expand...
Chameleons are born with the spur :p
You can look up pictures of gravid chameleons and you can really tell when theyre going to lay, im no expert but :p If youre worried about it just keep a bucket or something that you can use and some sand, that way if he does happen to be a she youre pepared.

opheliaeatsbugs said:
I don't see anything either, but it can be tough to get a good pic. Looks like a girl :)

I'm sure you already know, but chams do not prefer to be handled much. I've read many posts on this forum that some have sweet natures and are more tolerant of interaction and some can be very unhappy and grumpy about being touched or handled. I have a sweet little girl Ophelia that is "tolerant" and most agreeable, but even then, I can tell when she's had enough attention! You may want to search this forum for handling techniques - I have found lots of great tips on this subject here. I'm sorry I'm not much more help. This is my first cham and I'm learning as I go and making changes as I learn.

I remember reading that you can, as you said, put your hand in front and then gently push from the rear until your girl is on your hand. I have had luck with a branch - put it in the cage with a blue horned worm and when Ophelia climbs on the branch to get the worm, put the branch out. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I agree with what ophealiaeatsbugs' says here about putting your hand infront of them, and pushing from the back.
But i would never push on them, instead i would just put my hand behind them, and if that doesnt do it, just touch their tail, run your fingers up and down it, etc.
Reason being (about why i wouldnt push on them) is because apparently if you betray their trust once, theyll take a grudge to the grave. :confused: Or just plain and simple teaches them your going to force them to do something they dont want too, rather than just running your finger along the tail, theyll feel more in control. ;) This always worked fantastically with my chameleons (even the evil one). Thats my opinion. :p Good luck!

PS once your chameleon has a foot or two on your hand, move your hand so theyre stepping up, its instinct for them to step up. They dont have to be walking straight up, just higher than the feet that are still on the branch are. If your not sure about high just practice and find what works for you and your cham :D
 
Last edited:
Cham_boomerang said:
So should I get a laying place or should I wait and see if the extra toe comes in ?
Click to expand...

Yes, you probably have a girl. I only say probably because it's tough to see 100% -- if it was a boy, you would see something there :D Like @ChameleonClem said, it's there from birth. Ophelia is (probably) around 7 months and I can tell she is getting a bit fuller - comments from others here say that she probably has a few weeks to a few months. I take a ridiculous amount of pictures which helps me compare from month to month. I keep track of her weight, too - another suggestion from this forum - a quick gain in weight indicates she's gravid. I have also noticed a few "egg-shaped" lumps starting to appear, but she's not a walking bag of marbles yet :P So you have time with your little one. But that just means you have time to read and research and get ready :lol:

Have you filled out the chameleon info? https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/ And have you read the Care Sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/ I found it very helpful. Had to read it half a dozen times!

Does she have a name?
 
Also heres a good set of photos for male vs female. (Spur)

IMG_4898.JPG

IMG_4899.JPG

Now the male in the photo above has a wide spur which is fine, but sometimes theyll be skinner etc, but the females wont have anything. Ive always thought of it more of a toe than a spur, i dont think it does anything to be honest...
 
opheliaeatsbugs said:
Yes, you probably have a girl. I only say probably because it's tough to see 100% -- if it was a boy, you would see something there :D Like @ChameleonClem said, it's there from birth. Ophelia is (probably) around 7 months and I can tell she is getting a bit fuller - comments from others here say that she probably has a few weeks to a few months. I take a ridiculous amount of pictures which helps me compare from month to month. I keep track of her weight, too - another suggestion from this forum - a quick gain in weight indicates she's gravid. I have also noticed a few "egg-shaped" lumps starting to appear, but she's not a walking bag of marbles yet :p So you have time with your little one. But that just means you have time to read and research and get ready :lol:

Have you filled out the chameleon info? https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/ And have you read the Care Sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/ I found it very helpful. Had to read it half a dozen times!

Does she have a name?
Click to expand...
Well I always call her boomer short for boomerang but now that I think of it it's kind of a boy name but who cares
 
Cham_boomerang said:
Also one more question is it often when the egg gets that chemical and can kill the female?
Click to expand...
What? Chemical?

If the female does not get a proper place to lay her eggs she may not lay them at all and become egg bound as a result. She will then not be able to lay the eggs anymore at all and she will likely die of the consequences, if you suspect her to be egg bound it's essential to bring her to a vet ASAP.
To prevent this from happening it's important to provide females a proper place to lay their eggs (laying bin), you can provide one all the time or from the time she is starting to show receptive or gravid colors. As females can become fertile as early as 4 months of age you best prepare for one earlier rather than later.
 
Remkon said:
What? Chemical?

If the female does not get a proper place to lay her eggs she may not lay them at all and become egg bound as a result. She will then not be able to lay the eggs anymore at all and she will likely die of the consequences, if you suspect her to be egg bound it's essential to bring her to a vet ASAP.
To prevent this from happening it's important to provide females a proper place to lay their eggs (laying bin), you can provide one all the time or from the time she is starting to show receptive or gravid colors. As females can become fertile as early as 4 months of age you best prepare for one earlier rather than later.
Click to expand...
The chemical I was talking about is... I read that if you don't have a male there with the female there is a chemical reaction to the egg and it will kill the female
 
Cham_boomerang said:
The chemical I was talking about is... I read that if you don't have a male there with the female there is a chemical reaction to the egg and it will kill the female
Click to expand...
A lot of keepers have a female but no male chameleon so I don't think that information is accurate.
Mating is not a must as long as the female still gets to lay her eggs, she will develop and lay eggs regardless of having mated.

When eggbound she can get internal infections or damage to her insides, maybe that's what's meant?
 
Remkon said:
A lot of keepers have a female but no male chameleon so I don't think that information is accurate.
Mating is not a must as long as the female still gets to lay her eggs, she will develop and lay eggs regardless of having mated.

When eggbound she can get internal infections or damage to her insides, maybe that's what's meant?
Click to expand...
Oh okay thank you so much
 
thats a male, and what i normally do is when he wants to walk away i place my other hand in front of him and he trys to walk on that hand and i pull him out
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

kayladye59
He keeps coming out
Replies
8
Views
424
GrannyK
GrannyK
Rango_TheManEater
Handling Scratches
Replies
5
Views
2K
nightanole
nightanole
K
Am I doing something wrong? - veiled handling
Replies
19
Views
6K
korykory
K
Cacti3
Update on Spyro!
Replies
1
Views
1K
Motherlode Chameleon
Motherlode Chameleon
egk
Chameleon becoming territorial?
Replies
4
Views
1K
egk
egk
Back
Top Bottom