New panther

[Dominomyles]

Hey guys I just got a male ambilobe on Tuesday, he's about 4 months old and just BEAUTIFUL. Any advice on how to get him to warm up? The night I got him I was taking him out of his cup thing I got him in (met the breeder, not shipped) and he seemed to be very social. He was climbing up my top towards my head and I knew that was gonna end bad for how stressed he was so I went to grab him to put him in the enclosure and he bit me twice. Yesterday I tried cup feeding crickets and he would NOT take them, he wouldn't today either. Some escaped the cup and he ate them, but only after they escaped. He ate super worms out of the cup tho. Everytime I open the door he gets puffed up, and has only came out of the enclosure once and went for the curtains behind him but puffed up at me and opened his mouth to bite when I tried to redirect him. I've never really been around any that weren't just bluffing so I don't know what to do about it or expect for the future. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jamjam]

The usual things maybe let him settle in over the next week or so. Can try hand feeding. just dont be too pushy.

The feeding situation I sorta experienced the same thing. Think has to do with being stimulated to go after prey. them sitting around in a cup is boring for them. What i did was got plastic cup cout out a section of it and hot glued screen so they were visable and climbing around. compleete difference in eating. They sometimes do escape though, but I like the fact my guy gets to hunt some.

Lastly congrats on your guy, hes gorgeous!

 

[Dominomyles]

Thank you!! What would be considered too pushy?

Also I just wanna get him out and put him outside or something so he associated me with good things, but since I know he isn't bluffing I don't really wanna just grab it, even tho it doesn't hurt. It just startles me and I flinch which could scare him. Should I grab him anyways and deal with the biting, trying not to flinch, just to get him outside and show him it's okay? Or just keep on waitin until he comes around on his own?

 

[jamjam]

by being pushy was meaning abour grabbing him and forcing him out. didnt think about that logic to make him realize good things come out of it. im stumped, be interesting to hear other sides.

Although i do believe many people would wait around. Ive seen some people cham will only for with gloves, or only like sleeves, can even maybe start by seeing if he will go onto a stick and maybe shorten and shorten it and slowly transfer to your hand

 

[Dominomyles]

I'm also looking for people's input on that.
I tried the stick thing and I think that freaked him out more than I freak him out.

 

[junglefries]

Unfortunately, you need to wait before attempting ANY interaction. Only then, will you know what his true demeanor and social response to you will be. Ambilobes are for the most part pretty docile. Chances are, that after he settles in, you will never experience another bite. Wait at least two weeks, start routines (feeding, misting, cleaning), before engaging him. Once, he thinks he knows what you are doing in his cage, he should open up to the handling.

 

[Dominomyles]

Thank you! I know that's what I should do. I just got a little iffy cause at first he was really social, and it was only after I grabbed him to prevent him from going on my head that he got like that so I didn't know if I should force him to see I was ok or just wait. I'll wait and I'm gonna go get some super yummy treats today. Anyone on here from houston? I need feeders besides crickets and superworms and I can't find anything local. But anyways, hopefully he comes back around! This was the little jerk last night hahah, what a grump!

 

[xraygirl]

Time and patience is the essence here. You have to work very slowly. My guy took 6 months to even remotely be cool with coming out of his cage and onto me, and he still isn't all there yet! It will take a long time, don't rush. Always offer your hand slowly, no jerky or fast movements. If he gets upset, slowly back away and let him have his space and try again the next day.

 

[shmeenakoz]

Unfortunately, you need to wait before attempting ANY interaction. Only then, will you know what his true demeanor and social response to you will be. Ambilobes are for the most part pretty docile. Chances are, that after he settles in, you will never experience another bite. Wait at least two weeks, start routines (feeding, misting, cleaning), before engaging him. Once, he thinks he knows what you are doing in his cage, he should open up to the handling.

Exactly my thoughts too! They don't like change so that first off is a big contributor to his "nastiness". He really does need about a good 2-4 weeks to acclimate and become comfy. And like others have said be slow in movements and I also limit eye to eye contact during that time and with feedings, etc. My guy also took a good month or two to start accepting my presence. Patience is KEY Good Luck and giving it time will pay off in the end.
Also with feeders…I mail-ordered a colony of Dubia roaches which are super easy to keep.