New Baby Cham Owner & Holdimg my New Baby

[KaraCham17]

Hi All! So I'm a new Baby Panther Chameleon Owner. I just received our boy Friday and was told to wait 1-2 weeks before handling him. I watch him daily and can't WAIT to gain his trust!!

Does anyone have any technics or tips on how to hold my new Baby and get him to trust me?

Thanks!!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

There are many posts on this topic at this site. Hunt around a little and you will find that it revolves around patience, trust and yummy food! Just like the path to a man's heart! Best of luck and enjoy! (P.S. As a breeder I handle my hatchling babies as much as possible and I let my wife, children and visitors do the same. My chams are so use to it! Some of them even seem to like it)

 

[KaraCham17]

There are many posts on this topic at this site. Hunt around a little and you will find that it revolves around patience, trust and yummy food! Just like the path to a man's heart! Best of luck and enjoy! (P.S. As a breeder I handle my hatchling babies as much as possible and I let my wife, children and visitors do the same. My chams are so use to it! Some of them even seem to like it)

Thank you! I'll search some of the threads! Would you suggest I wait to attempt holding him until he's adjusted to his new environment?

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Well, how is he reacting to you? When you are around his cage, does he look stressed, does he turn dark and puff himself up, does he try to hide behind branches and leaves when you approach his cage? If not then you do not intimidate or scare him too much! In that case you could probably speed up your timeline by a week. But once again, do some reading on how others have done it and other suggestions out there and do remember that every chameleon has his/her own character. Some never get use to being handeled!

 

[Meg4433]

I cup feed mine holding the cup. And I hand fed him. Now every time I open the cage he tries to get out. Right into my hand.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

See, yummy food, it works!

 

[KaraCham17]

What do you guys usually use when you hand feed? My crickets hop away. I did get him to take one cricket though! I've only had him about a week, he's getting used to me visiting him but nervous when my hand goes into the cage. He will not come to the door yet.

 

[brownie64]

You could use wax worms (bee moths) they are good for a treat just don't feed him too many they contain a lot of fat that isn't good for him in long term use. It is up to the cham they are as individual as you or me. My female Jackson is just now tolerating me and I have had her for almost two years now. My male hasn't ben with me that long yet, and he loathes me. Give it time hopefully he will come around. Good luck

 

[MSMorgan]

My Lucky will take superworms from my fingers. They are easy to hold on to, even though they wiggle around a lot, and catch his attention. From my understanding, they respond to movement. Any lively prey item on the list,

https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...chameleon-has-ever-eaten.143974/#post-1222874

That you're willing to hold (fingers/tweezers) for a little bit until he/she locks on........

 

[KaraCham17]

So far, he's taken two crickets off of my hand! I bought the wax worms and he's not interested They still may be a little big for him tho. I'll try again with those, as a treat only, when he gets a little bigger.

I just love watching him. He's tolerant of my presence. I think he's getting used to me. Im trying to be patient. Which is horribly difficult. I just want to hold my awesome reptile baby already haha

 

[KaraCham17]

I cup feed mine holding the cup. And I hand fed him. Now every time I open the cage he tries to get out. Right into my hand.

Good idea! I should try this! Thank you!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

I have superworms, dubia cockroaches, lobster cockroaches and crickets that I hand feed. Chameleons love hornworms and silkworms a lot!

 

[Onemorecast]

Ill second hornworms, not only do chams go apeshit, HW are super juicy. Be careful if you buy a bunch they grow fast...and I mean fast. I have about 20 in chrysalis' now because they just go nuts. But also have a spare small reptibreeze so im hoping to raise my own or at the very least feed the cham some moths.

 

[guanagator]

Food is the key but each one is different, I have several chameleons and only 2 regularly will come onto my hand. My quad quad did so for the first time last night and I'm still excited just thinking about it. Sometimes takes a lot to build trust with them but it's doable!

 

[KaraCham17]

I finally held him Thursday!! He was a little nervous and turned black initially but lighted up quickly.

I can't find any small enough horn worms yet but still looking!

I hope my Billy begins to trust me more and gets to tolerate handling or even walks right out of his cage to me! That would be awesome!

 

[Mikesyring]

Try butter worms my guy loves them

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

I breed chameleons and from the moment they hatch, they are touched and handles! All my babies know is that being touched is how life is!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Check out the picture I posted with my youngest boy and Mr. Rainbow Delight labeled "My boys".