new panther hissing and bites

[shane pattimore]

Hey all. I am new to this site and chameleons in general. I have had a veiled for a few months now and have had no problems. I just purchased a panther last weekend, he is about 4 months old.

ever since I brought him home he has been hissing and trying to bite me when I try to handle him. I know you are supposed to handle them as little as possible. Will he ever get over this. Is there anything I can do to help him feel more comfortable on my hands?
Thanks

 

[okiroo]

Hand feed him to start with so he gets used to haveing them around and knows they bring food so thats a good thing. other people will give you better advice.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Appraoch verrry slowly and from underneath with your hands. I dont handle mine except for cage cleaning and all of mine except for one wc has learned to accept occasiional handling. He will learn it take time and patience you have to understand even though he may be cb we are still dealing with exotic Wild animals that are at most a cpl of generations from wc. He will see you as a predator until he learns who you are.

 

[Jamelon]

when i had my cham what i did to get my cham to come on my hand readily was to have a treat/food that they can see. It will take some patience though, cause they usually try to find another way other than your hand but food is probably the fastest way.

 

[carol5208]

It also, depends on your chameleon's personality. Some are just nicer than others. Some tolerate handling while others never get used to it. Try putting a plant outside the cage door, a large tall one that he can climb right onto and then try approaching him while out of the cage instead of in. Don't approach over his back or from behind.

 

[jr andrade]

Yep at 4 months theyre pretty mean suckers they have lots of instinct in them and havent learned to trust just yet. Plenty of hand feeding and occasional attempts at handling will do some good but if you bug him too much there is a high chance he will stop eating from your hand and become defensive when he see's you or will try to swing himself on branches in an attempt to conceal himself from you , best thing to do is take it slow and he will definitely get used to it.

 

[Synapse]

Just from personal experience, I handled my panther very little when he was younger. Now, he begs to be let out of his cage whenever people get near. It is mostly patience. Give your cham time to observe and build trust. It will come around in time. If not, you might just have a mean cham!

 

[jessica]

Sounds like you got a good one! Usually the fiesty guys are the strong ones bet he is gonna be a stud : )

More then likely in time he will become more comfortable with you give him time.

 

[shane pattimore]

Thanks everyone! i still have lots of learning with chameleons, so i will take all the advice i can get.

 

[shane pattimore]

Hand feed him to start with so he gets used to haveing them around and knows they bring food so thats a good thing. other people will give you better advice.

He will not take food from my hand.. I move slowly towards him and he backs up and tries to bite. What should i do?

 

[okiroo]

cup feed him untill he gets used to that and move up to hand feeding. make a it a same time thing so he learns to expect it.

 

[seanUTD]

He will not take food from my hand.. I move slowly towards him and he backs up and tries to bite. What should i do?

You should leave him alone... It's tough love time from me... You are obviously causing stress.. Chams don't move at our pace they move at theirs and extended stress leads to shortened life... Just let him be and move slowly toward acclimation towards your hand..

 

[gerhartrx]

Take your time.

here is a link from the learn segment in Screameleons: This one shows you how to handle a cham if they are hissing and threatening biting.
http://www.screameleons.com/How_To_Handle_Chameleons.htm
hope this helps.

Everything that I am reading (because I have a hisser too!) says that once your cham gets used to you and the routine they will start to calm. Originally I thought a couple weeks and I would not be having an issue handling him but you are looking at much longer like a couple months.

 

[seanUTD]

I have had my little Herbie for two months and have seen little progress...In the beginning I tried hand feeding, I tried proper handling techniques, I tried it all and was bit, hissed at and gaped at... I have since let up and let him decide and so far I have handled him for a few seconds twice without being bit but I was gaped at and hissed at... Some chams just don't acclimate... That's why I keep a rabbit too, to have something cuddly.... Hate to say it but if you wanted something to love you... Should have gotten a bunny /:

 

[gerhartrx]

I have had my little Herbie for two months and have seen little progress...In the beginning I tried hand feeding, I tried proper handling techniques, I tried it all and was bit, hissed at and gaped at... I have since let up and let him decide and so far I have handled him for a few seconds twice without being bit but I was gaped at and hissed at... Some chams just don't acclimate... That's why I keep a rabbit too, to have something cuddly.... Hate to say it but if you wanted something to love you... Should have gotten a bunny /:

That's hillarious. As much as I hate it and want my cham to hang out... I guess a bunny would have been more along those lines.

 

[lslcronk]

The hand feeding takes a lot of patience! You will build GREAT upper arm strength stading there with your arm out waiting for the cham to decide he wants it or not! Claude has recently decided he would rather hunt, so I have to start working out again I guess! lol It is all about thier schedule...which for most ppl now a days is hard to adjust to. You cant make them do anything really, it is all on them! Good luck!

 

[shane pattimore]

The hand feeding takes a lot of patience! You will build GREAT upper arm strength stading there with your arm out waiting for the cham to decide he wants it or not! Claude has recently decided he would rather hunt, so I have to start working out again I guess! lol It is all about thier schedule...which for most ppl now a days is hard to adjust to. You cant make them do anything really, it is all on them! Good luck!

I have a newborn that was born at 9 pounds 4 ounces so the upper body strengths is there lol.
I will take my time and hope for the best and hopefully camelio estevez will come around lol. If not oh well. Thanks

 

[lslcronk]

I love his name!! Cladue likes me one day and then could care less if I exist the next...they are fickle little creatures! lol Congrats on the new human baby btw!