My chameleon is very nervous

[WOLVERINES135]

Is there any way i can get my chameleon to be less nervous of me when im around, whenever i go in to clean his cage or put his food in he freaks out and tries to get as far away from me as possible, or is this what they all do? Ive only had it for one day and im sure its just cause i just got him and hes still nervous but will he be like this when he grows up? If not how do i make him trust me so i can start early.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

The first day you should leave him alone. Maybe a few days besides putting food in. They need to adjust to their new home, think about it, you were born, raised, put in a box, given to a new person, put into a new home probably alot bigger than their old one, and some weird giant thing keeps going near you and your new home. You could hand feed after he adjusts to gain trust.

 

[carol5208]

no one can predict how a chameleon is going to turn when they are adults. There are things you can do however, do get them used to you like hand feeding as the other member suggested. Wait a couple of weeks and let your cham settle in and then maybe try to start coaxing him out of the cage. You can try using a branch for him to crawl on or better yet open the door and set a large tall potted plant for him to crawl on if he will. Then maybe try approaching him while out of the cage and he may not feel as threatened. Sometimes no matter what you do, a chameleon will just not tolerate handling and you have to accept that. If every time you try and do so and you are hissed at, lunged at, and maybe even get bit, you probably have to realize this is the relationship between you and your chameleon and so be it! Each and everyone has their individual personalities just like us. Some of us are nice than others!!! Like I said, let him settle in and then try handling him then. Many of us have friendly chameleons. I handle mine each and every day. Good luck!