Not so good first handling session?

[klaysny]

So Its been a week since first placing my baby chameleon in his enclosure. I gently coaxed him on to one of my hands using very slow movements. After staring at me in fear and hiding around branches he eventually walked on to my hand.

I brought him into the sun as it was very warm out today and right away I noticed his colors began to change to a slight brown/light black with some yellow patterns. I am aware this is a sign of him being stressed. At first after sitting on my hand he began to lighten up in color. But after a few minutes he got dark again and began trying to frantically run away and he wouldn't sit still on my hand. Making it very complicated to stay outside
This is understandable as he has never been handled before I'd just like to know if you guys have any tips!

 

[MsCham]

Im no expert, but I was always told to leave them be for 2-3 weeks before handling. And carrying him all the way outside takes him away from the one familiar thing he has: his set up. I would try to get him used to being handled right next to his cage first for 5 minute segments once a week, then putting him back, and repeating the next week. After he becomes tolerant of this, you can begin taking him down the hallway, then back, then to the next room, then back, etc. Change has to be gradual! I'd leave him be for the rest of this week though! Good luck!

 

[LundqvistNYR]

he was absorbing more heat since he was outside. Black doesn't always mean angry! Most chameleons will brighten up or "Fire up" as most people say. every cham once outside will turn dark to absorb more heat!

 

[chameleons707]

Give it some time I gave mines 3 weeks before I took him outside. He was scared and turned very dark like your cham in the pics but slowly he will learn that outside is a good thing and that it can be very fun then being in his cage. My cham has more colors then when he's in his enclosure.