My veiled hates me...

[Seffers93]

Hey guys,
I've had a jacksons chameleon for a little while now. He's doing great and isn't scared of me at all. I feel like he knows who I am and is okay with me. I like to think so anyways.....
So I just got a veiled chameleon two days ago. He's only a couple months old. I have him in a 24 x 24 x 48 screened cage. I did my research to make sure everything with his enclosure is correct since I've been taking care of a jacksons. I know veileds are a little different.
He hisses at me anytime I get close to him. I tried hand feeding him today and he got majorly stressed out. It seems like he really hates me and just wants to be left alone.
How can I get him to warm up to me and be okay with me???

 

[Samantha1992]

my panther was very similar when i first got him! only 10 weeks old when i got him home though - now 5 months old.. i was advised to leave him alone for at least 3 weeks (difficult i know - i was like a child!!!) basically now all he wants to do is come out of his tank.. literally launches himself out at me!

I cup fed for first couple of weeks but propped the cup up at the bottom so he had to come down for them.. worked wonders!

i also used to just place my hand in the other side of the tank for about 20 minutes straight so i didn't startle him when i eventually started handling him.

I'm not "expert" but it helped with mine and didn't take long to become used to me

Good luck!!!

 

[KatelinLovesCommah]

I just got my little Vield a couple days ago. I'll tell you what everyone else said to me when I got him and worried about him shying away from me.
Sweetie, I know its hard, but GIVE HIM TIME. Im aiming for 10 days to have mine by himself to get comfortable. Let him see your hand feeding in the crickets/feeder; so he assosiates food with you, but cut down on the contact for alittle while.

 

[Seffers93]

Thanks guys!
I'll give him some space! lol

 

[Samantha1992]

He'll love you soon!! play with your jacksons!! he's probably getting jealous!! haha!

Post some pics, would love to see!!

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

My chams were like that too when they were very young. It seems that as they grow they become more accepting of you and less stressed at your presence. My were very skittish but now they are about a year and they have relaxed. Try hand feeding worms, it works great to build that bond.

 

[Samantha1992]

My chams were like that too when they were very young. It seems that as they grow they become more accepting of you and less stressed at your presence. My were very skittish but now they are about a year and they have relaxed. Try hand feeding worms, it works great to build that bond.

had a little chuckle to myself as i tried this and failed - sat there for about 30 minutes thinking my arm was going to fall off and he just looked at me as if i was trying to poison him!! loves them now.. has one for breakfast every other morning

 

[reptilover]

You should give him a minimum of a week of hands off time so he can adapt and adjust to his new surroundings.
After a week-week in a half slowly introduce itself with treats.

 

[lovepicasso]

I'm sorry your veiled is acting that way, but believe me, the pople on this forum will give you the best advise on how to handle this problem......I was very lucky that my veiled was so very tamed when we bought him a month ago, he is now 4 months old.......best of luck to you, and I'm sure in time he will warm up to you and love you.

 

[Seffers93]

Thanks for all of the helpful info everyone!
He's sleeping right now, but I'll definitely upload a couple of pictures tomorrow!

 

[ChameleonMom]

I haven't read any of the replies, but I know you've heard this...SPACE and time...thats all he needs and then he'll love you forever!!

 

[showjet95]

Ive never had a friendly veiled (male or female). I guess I just have bad luck with picking the friendly ones

 

[FrankTheTank]

My veiled hasn't let me hold him for a couple months now. I just tried to pick him up for the first time in a while last night, and it didn't turn out too well. He turned bright green with yellow vertical stripes and black dots. He was not a happy camper. Then I just put him down, bc he was trying to run out of my hands and hissing, so I let him back in. I don't have any "treats" I can give him atm, but I plan on trying to hand feed him for a while before I pick him up again. As you may have heard, that is the best way to gain their trust. Good luck!!!

 

[Psychobunny]

Your veiled cham does not hate you
You need to be patient and give him time to get used to you.

It was weeks before Smeagol would even eat out of my hand, but now he gets excited when I come home and reaches his little arms out to be let out of his cage.