Mean Cham

staceyciaburri

New Member
Why is my chameleon acting so mean now? He will really try to bite me now. Is there anything I can do? One week he is eating from my hand, the next, trying to bite it!
 
Sounds like he might be growing up, or he might be going to shed. There's not much you can do either way. My chams get mad when shedding; if this is the case then he should settle down after that. But, I suspect that he's just growing up; and when he does he'll continue to be angry then there's not much you can do but give him his space. Most chams aren't meant to be handled.
 
IMO Chameleons are actually behind an international conspiracy too kill off the human race...

No really, most chameleons really do hate people, they don't like to be handled, they dont like to be looked at ect...

How old/what species is your guy? I know as my male veiled got older he got much meaner. Now when i need to take him out of his cage i have to wear a glove or else he would eat my hand.

So your guys behavior sounds pretty normal.
 
mean chameleon

He is shedding right now, he is approx. 1 yr old, male. Im glad to hear he may not stay this mean. Alot of the time I get him out and he crawls up and sits on my head. I like to hold him, I dont want to think he is going to stay this way. It makes me want to give him away if he doesnt quit being sooo mean.
 
I agree with Dunnigan.
I have had my male veiled since about three weeks old.(5 months now)
At first he TOLLERATED us, now it is plain attitude.
Sometimes I swear I see him run his thumb across his throat like a threat.
Mine will walk all the way across a stick just to bite me.
I don't mind because when I bought him I knew they were not friendly.
Hopefully for you he was just having a bad day, if not you better sleep with one
eye open;)
 
mean chameleon

I just hate it because the person who sold him to me said he was great and would be a wonderful pet, would love being held, wouldn't bite.........all that.
 
Not trying to scare you but have you seen what a cham bite can do.
Search the forum for it if I remember right it took 5 stitches.
And don't feel bad almost everyone gets fed the same line on the sales pitch.
I went in knowing they are an animal to be observed not cuddled, besides I kinda like his attitude now.
 
What type of Cham is he?

I've handled many Chams who's owner claim they're mean. Now that the weather is warm get him outside and out of his cage. Be very calm and patient when you handle him and do not flinch when you think he's going to bite you.

Be calm and patient. Hopefully by the end of a day outside in the sun and no cage territory to protect you'll make some headway.
 
If you have a veiled, males, as they mature, will be very nice or they can get mean. If they get mean, it usually isn't anything you have done, but it is a result of him growing up. That is just the way male veileds are.
 
I agree with Luckykarma. Don't flinch or show fear in any way. Any animail in the wild senses fear much better than we can. It is built in for their survival. I have had some nasty one over the years, but have been able to mellow most of them out.
What I find intriging as well is that I have gotten chams form people who said they are mean as heck. Yes, the first week, they are like that, but they settle down over time(Some more than others). But 90% of the time , I see improvement.
 
I just hate it because the person who sold him to me said he was great and would be a wonderful pet, would love being held, wouldn't bite.........all that.

Sorry the seller misinformed you.
If you want a "pet" that you can hold and interact with ... a chameleon is not really high on the list of options.
It sounds like he is behaving the way a chameleon should.

-Brad
 
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