Just got a baby veiled and her biting has become increasingly worse, what do I do?!

[TyggyToo]

I made an agreement with my veiled F that if she didn't grab herself (a neurological problem fro MBD that appears to have been solved with dietary mod) I wouldn't have to go in and grab her either. She would end up on the floor of the cage with both forelegs pinned down by both hind legs, all grey and dark. I'd pick her up and she'd get black and yellow for a moment, then shut her eyes and go green. I'd unpry her legs and put her on a branch. She would keep her eyes squinched shut. I knew when I got her that she wasn't a touchy feely pet.

Twice she bit me (I laughed which didn't do her dignity any good) and twice she's huffed up and grunted and gaped. I backed off and waited, then did whatever it was I had to do a little more slowly.

Now that she appears to be mostly cured (please note crossed fingers and toes) I'm keeping my end of the bargain and not messing with her. She will occasionally take food from me, but she pretty much leans away, shuts her eyes and pretends that this horrible mammal didn't really see her. She's healthy or healthier, active, and in no need of my physical input. If I can get in and clean, feed and water without stressing her, I don't need to handle her for my benefit.

Submitted for your approval,
Tyg

 

[Leon911]

Handling chameleons isn't a great idea. Bearded dragons are the way to go if you want to handle a reptile. Chameleons respond very rapidly to stress and repetitively handling one will shorten it's life span.

 

[alexyboo909]

So I shouldn't take her out once a day? haha I'm so confused. I've had people tell me to handle them ALL the time everyday so when she's older she'll be fine with handling. I've had people tell me just an hour a day because repetition should do the trick. Now people are telling me to just not touch her.. because she'll get stressed out and die sooner, I don't want that! haha sayyy whaaat.