Hi, I'm brand new to owning Chameleons and this forum (I searched but didn't see anything that specifically answered my situation). Loved these guys for a couple years now, and actually ended up getting my first Ambilobe Panther Chameleon on Valentines Day, at a Petco of all places.
I like that he is a captive bred sub adult, and is already well established. I figured that this would be a great starter Chameleon for me. Since it's only been nine days, I've mostly left him alone. I feed him in the morning and he has now begun to take food from the tongs.
My question is how do I handle him? Not handling for the sake of handling, but more so I can effectively clean, and rearrange the cage when I need to. I've watched videos that have said to always approach from the front, be calm, slow, and slip your hand under to support.
However, Monet puffs, gapes, and sometimes hisses whenever my hand gets too close (believe me, I'm not being pushy!). Right now during morning feeding I will for short periods slowly put my hand near him and stay still, when he doesn't react badly, I take my hand out and leave him alone, letting him be "okay" with me. He is very weary of me, but doesn't mind being fed. As I've said, I know these aren't touchy feel-y sort of reptiles, but it's mandatory that I know how to handle him when need be.
He was fine with me when I was checking him over in the store the day I purchased him, and he was being handled consistently by employees. No issues of aggression or stress. Just roaming:
Monet on the first day home:
Any suggestions? How do I tackle this issue? Also, any guesstimate ages judging by his pics? They had him in for almost 2 months prior to me purchasing him, within that time frame, I was told he gained 1 inch on his size.
Also, would you consider him a blue bar Ambilobe?
He's already gone through a shed, since he's been here, and has been displaying some beautiful colors already. Mind you, he's colorful everyday, so I haven't really seen any signs that he's unhappy in his setup. I really find him amazing, and I'm a very happy new owner.
Thanks in advance for all the help I can get!
I like that he is a captive bred sub adult, and is already well established. I figured that this would be a great starter Chameleon for me. Since it's only been nine days, I've mostly left him alone. I feed him in the morning and he has now begun to take food from the tongs.
My question is how do I handle him? Not handling for the sake of handling, but more so I can effectively clean, and rearrange the cage when I need to. I've watched videos that have said to always approach from the front, be calm, slow, and slip your hand under to support.
However, Monet puffs, gapes, and sometimes hisses whenever my hand gets too close (believe me, I'm not being pushy!). Right now during morning feeding I will for short periods slowly put my hand near him and stay still, when he doesn't react badly, I take my hand out and leave him alone, letting him be "okay" with me. He is very weary of me, but doesn't mind being fed. As I've said, I know these aren't touchy feel-y sort of reptiles, but it's mandatory that I know how to handle him when need be.
He was fine with me when I was checking him over in the store the day I purchased him, and he was being handled consistently by employees. No issues of aggression or stress. Just roaming:
Monet on the first day home:
Any suggestions? How do I tackle this issue? Also, any guesstimate ages judging by his pics? They had him in for almost 2 months prior to me purchasing him, within that time frame, I was told he gained 1 inch on his size.
Also, would you consider him a blue bar Ambilobe?
He's already gone through a shed, since he's been here, and has been displaying some beautiful colors already. Mind you, he's colorful everyday, so I haven't really seen any signs that he's unhappy in his setup. I really find him amazing, and I'm a very happy new owner.
Thanks in advance for all the help I can get!