El Chameeno
New Member
I am the proud new owner of a baby male veiled Cham. I have been holding my hand in his cage so he could get used to it, but I would love to be able to hold the little cutie. I am wondering what the best way to pick him up is.
How to pick up a Cham?
- Thread starter El Chameeno
- Start date
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
I start out with a "travel stick". You never want to put your hand in the cage, so instead you put a stick or 2 leading out of the cham, for them to explore on. Once they are out of the cage they are much more open to crawling on the hand etc. Once on the hand i would bring them to some place they like, like window sun, or give them a treat that they on get while being handled.
Else you can try replacing love with food, and try to lead them onto your hand with a bug
Else you can try replacing love with food, and try to lead them onto your hand with a bug
El Chameeno
New Member
I had seen that you should coax them into your hand, but that seems like a way better plan. Thanks for that idea!
cstocke
Member
This is such a great idea!I start out with a "travel stick". You never want to put your hand in the cage, so instead you put a stick or 2 leading out of the cham, for them to explore on. Once they are out of the cage they are much more open to crawling on the hand etc. Once on the hand i would bring them to some place they like, like window sun, or give them a treat that they on get while being handled.
Else you can try replacing love with food, and try to lead them onto your hand with a bug
El Chameeno
New Member
Any other ideas still help though, but that is the best I've heard.
cstocke
Member
Gaining trust is important. Most Chams especially Veiled do not tend to like to be handled. They get really moody when you try. With my Jackson, it didn't take too long and now he will go to his door when he wants something (too come out, or food) and has no problem sitting on our hands. He loves to take short walks out side in the sun. I would say start by not ever reaching in his enclosure for him. Do what you need to do and slowly back your hand out. You can also try feeding him from your hand. Showing him that your hand means no harm is the first step.
El Chameeno
New Member
My hand wasn't "in" the cage, more of close to the cage, just showing him I mean no harm.
cstocke
Member
Thats a good start.
OrangeJuice
Established Member
Yep, food is a great way to win trust. With previous chams that have been abused and humans have been mean to I've found they're open to new people! My girl, Ashi, was terribly mistreated and handled by a child all the time, so naturally she hated humans! She bit me a few times when I took her out of her cage, but once I put her by the window she relaxed and I fed her there. After a day or so she even started eating out of my hand and she doesn't care if I hold her (usually). Just letting them see you and be around you helps so much! It just takes an insane amount of patience
El Chameeno
New Member
I hang around him almost all day, just doing anything. He seems to really like me, but is still a little frightened. He will sometimes start coming towards my hand but will just stop after a while.
El Chameeno
New Member
How did you "take" her out of her cage.
El Chameeno
New Member
I have been hanging out by my Cham a lot, doing whatever, but I have heard that it could stress him out. Any pointers?
