new chameleon

[kiwi the chameleon]

I got my veiled chameleon 1week ago and he is doing great! But whenever I go to his cage he trys to run away why? And what can I do to gain his trust

 

[Psychedelic Chams]

Natural chameleon instinct is to run from predators and you are a predator to him lol i suggest very slow movements, try to hand feed him daily. Also do not just reach in and grab him if he is running or puffing up just ease your way in try and get him some treats food you dont feed him regularly and just hand feed him would be the easiest and fastest way for him to trust you.

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

I have some wax worms an do have tried to hand feed the little guy but he then hr gets scared and flips upside down on his branches I have only picked him up 1once when I got him though

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

Ohhh btw 4months old

 

[Psychedelic Chams]

Time and patience chameleons arent like other reptiles they dont like being held you may have one that doesnt like it most only tolerate handling there is that diamond though that loves attention, just keep trying to hand feec maybe he will grow to you

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

He doesn't get mad I try to but he has never hissed or tied to bite me he just goes into his defense pose he never turns black stays clam

 

[Psychedelic Chams]

Next time put your hand under him and try and see if you can get him to walk onto your palm

 

[Psychobunny]

Check out my taming blog, you may find it useful

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/psychobunny/746-taming-chameleon.html

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

Okay thank you for the advice

 

[SRTtoZ]

Hand feeding is one of the best ways to earn trust. When they learn you're not going to eat them they ease up a bit.

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

I have tried to hand feed he gets scared and goes upside down on his stick and flares up he dosent hiss or bite just really scared he is very green though

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

Is it normal for a chameleon to close one eye??

 

[Psychedelic Chams]

Like a wink or does he have it closed all day?

 

[ChameSecret]

Here's What's Working For Me

I'm in the process of taming my 4mo ambanja, and hand-feeding is the best way to earn their trust, bar none. Once the association between you and food is solid, your chams will be much less wary of your approach (just always bring a snack! ). Skip one day of feeding, then offer its favorite feeder on feeding tongs or in your hand; several at a time if you can. Once your cham is regularly taking snacks out of your hand, you can start pulling the feeding hand further away and offering your other, closer hand as a support. If you do this slowly they'll work up the courage and trust to walk out onto your hand. This worked well with my female veiled but it's going slowly with my ambanja. However, it's been 3 weeks and he's now taking one or two steps onto my hand when feeding, so just remember to be consistent and patient.

 

[xcrystalx]

i also suggest free ranging. nothing major just a little plant that leads from his home.
he may see you as a threat and being confined in his home with your hand coming towards him is scary.see if wants to come out.i have read that it has calmed down many timid etc chams so i say theres no harm in trying.

 

[kiwi the chameleon]

I have tried to hand feed him but he just stares at the wax worms he is eating the crickets though he never get black at all just normally green but sometimes with a darker shade of green how can u hand feed with crickets?