Panther Chameleon flaring up

[joshuaseidman94]

So I got my panther chameleon earlier this week (4 months old. Things have been going well. He eats well, drinks, poops, the whole nine yards. He seems to be friendly when I am near the cage and so I tried a few times to see if he would walk onto my hand ( also tried hand feeding a cricket but backs away). He flared up each time so I gave him his space. Today I left his cage door open while I supervised and as he got closer to the open door I used a branch to see if he would climb on that. He flared up again and hissed. I was wondering if you guys had any advice on how long I should leave him alone and give him his space before trying again? I don't want to stress the little guy out.

 

[Balizar]

I think all chams are different. I have some that know I am there for food but want nothing to do with me other than that. My faly tolerates me but I think he would be happier if I just let him be but he doesn't flare up and remains calm. I have another one that will walk on my hand occasionally but I think he just wants food... I say give it a little more time. He will at the least get used to you being around but may never really want to be handled.

 

[Kath44]

He's still adjusting. Keep doing what your doing. Try each day offering him food, if he backs off try again the day after. Eventually he may take food from you and associate your hand with food.
Do the same with the branch, back off slowly if he gets stressed.
Hopefully he'll come round. Kath.

 

[carol5208]

I usually wait about two weeks before I try coaxing them out of the cage. I use the stick method. Some don't agree with this, but it works for me! Sooner or later, once you get them out of the cage, they realize you are not going to eat them and they seem to mellow out.

 

[reptoman]

Hand feeding usually helps with the fearful ones. They will eventually not see your hand or you for that matter as much of a threat and will eventually calm down. Even our Cpt Kirk who would have taken a finger if I let him before is now easily handled and crawls out onto my hand sometimes. It will take time but just let him come closer to you initially and it will get to that point.