Moving a male chameleon who would prefer not to be moved. Can this be done?

[Benjamin E.]

Greetings, saurophiles!

As one does, from time to time I like to clean out my chameleons' enclosure. Well, I don't really "like to" do it, but I do it anyway. In order to effectuate this process, the scaly denizens within must first be extruded. This presents no problem at all for my fat, dumb, and happy female, who sanguinely accepts said retrieval, and will sit snugly on my shoulder for the duration of the process thereafter.

The little male ~<<&}+%, on the other hand, fights like he's defending Sparta! On good days, he'll sink his tiny claws into his branch so tightly that I'm afraid of breaking his tiny fingers trying to pry them off. On bad days, he puffs up and hisses, offering me a bountiful view of his little lizard trachea.

Now, I'm not afraid of being bitten by a wee toothless beastie such as he. What I am afraid of, is that I might reflexively "shake him off" my finger in surprise if he did bite me, which might break the poor little guy's neck.

So, any advice?

-- Ben

 

[AnamCara]

When I need to move Mona and she is resistant I herd her onto a branch or vine and use that to transport her. I have also herded her onto the top of my head and moved her that way.

 

[Benjamin E.]

When I need to move Mona and she is resistant I herd her onto a branch or vine and use that to transport her. I have also herded her onto the top of my head and moved her that way.

Wow! Fast service!

Sorry, should have used names. My veiled chams are "Princess Josephine" and "Changey" (my kids named them).

Tell me more about this "herding". If he's not going for it, can I just wedge a twig between Changey and the branch he's clinging to without hurting him and then move the twig, like you said? I know they're resilient critters -- this morning I had moved Princess Josephine from her egg bin, where she had just laid an impressive number of eggs, and put her under the lamps to warm up after her rough night. I then watched her transform herself from what can best be described as a deflated brown/green balloon with feet into her normal shape. It was really quite impressive. But still, they're not indestructible, and I'm a bit new to all this.

*Edit: I like the transfer idea, but I can't always move the branch he's sitting on, because some of them are permanently attached to the wall of the enclosure.

 

[AnamCara]

If you put a branch in from of them and a little under you can herd them very gently from behind. Then lift the branch upwards as they step onto it.

 

[Benjamin E.]

If you put a branch in from of them and a little under you can herd them very gently from behind. Then lift the branch upwards as the step onto it.

I like it! Like a "wedge". I'll try it and report back after this weekend's cleaning.

Thanks again!

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Lure him out with food. Keep it just out of range so he has to keep walking forward

 

[Benjamin E.]

Lure him out with food. Keep it just out of range so he has to keep walking forward

Also possible. I keep forgetting that they're not very smart.

 

[AnamCara]

Lure him out with food. Keep it just out of range so he has to keep walking forward

That's how I got Mona into the cat carrier for the vet-- threw a silk in the back and she walked right in.

 

[Tony_S]

fights like he's defending Sparta!

lol, sorry that just made me laugh.

The things I have to look forward to when my guy gets bigger/stronger.

We need a problem/solution section on this forum.