Positive reinforcement
- Thread starter EarlMT
- Start date
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
Get a feeder they really like and go nuts for and use it to hand feed them. Don't offer it any other time. It make take some time and several times offering it before they go for it. Go slow and gain their trust. This will help them to associate your hand with food and not so much danger.
Crashbandit05
Avid Member
Patience, space, and slow movement. You have to look at it from the chameleon's point of view. They are a prey animal and will view you (the owner) as a potential threat until you can condition it with rewards such as favorite treat (waxworms for example) or time on a free range (another example I use). Hope this helps!
EarlMT
Member
What do you use for him to free range on?
Crashbandit05
Avid Member
I have a golden pothos that hangs. One vine is about 6 feet long and touches a low table that has a few jade plants. The pothos hangs about 6-7 feet off the ground, high enough for a chameleon to feel secure.
EarlMT
Member
How have you gotten that pathos to grow that big?! I have two in his enclosure that I'm trying to revive after not buying a light for the plants.
veiled66
New Member
Crashbandit that sounds like an amazing setup. I have mine free ranging on a tall ficus, and I was curious if you use any UVB lighting for that? Or is it just for play time outside the cage? I am wondering because I wanted to do something simililar but I feel I would have an issue keeping him under his UVB light. Currently on his ficus its simple because I have a light that overhangs but I wanted to give mine more vegetation to explore on without sacrificing precious UVB. EarlMT I hope this helps spark some ideas for a possible free range setup of your own chameleons absolutely love it. Mine is so much happier and healthier for it. A caged chameleon I feel is never truly a happy chameleon.
Angelwolf
Chameleon Enthusiast
Water. They LOVE water! I have mine in special African violet pots so they have a constant supply. I measured the longest vine on mine when I put it in his cage (I have had the plant for years) and it was 11 feet long!! The pots are 2 pieces. Both are ceramic. There is an inner pot which is only partially glazed, and an outter pot which is all glazed to hold the water. I recommend getting one with a watering hole to make refilling easy. And you can also root cuttings of the plant, including any vines that get broken or bitten off. Just put them in a vase of water and watch em grow! You can also wrap the vines back into the dirt, and if it's moist enough they will take root also, which will strengthen the whole plant.
Crashbandit05
Avid Member
Yes, I got the pothos before my chameleon about a year ago. They love water and sunlight.
Crashbandit05
Avid Member
I do not have a UVB light for him. He may spend an hour max on the free range. It's not that great lol but I'll snap a picture later and post it for ideas.
CharlieCharmingo
Avid Member
I agree with everyone above. Get a feeder he really likes and try hand feeding him. Once he takes it from your Hand just leave the cage door open and the pretend like he doesn't exist. Not all do this, but eventually he'll realize one: you feed him, and two: you're not going to feed on him.
For free ranging if I noticed he was only staying in a particular area and I thought the house was particularly cold then I'd bring down his lights and place the around where he was so he could stay warm. However it seems like once he got warm enough it encouraged him to get down from his plants and continue roaming again.
For free ranging if I noticed he was only staying in a particular area and I thought the house was particularly cold then I'd bring down his lights and place the around where he was so he could stay warm. However it seems like once he got warm enough it encouraged him to get down from his plants and continue roaming again.
CharlieCharmingo
Avid Member
They love water? lol I didn't know that. But honestly your plant sounds so cool. I'm going to have to look into this.
Ilike4hornedchams
Established Member
I posted this just last week, but ya horn worms are always a good bait bug. Something about big green bugs they love. (Banana Roach's too) So far I have gotten a little progress with my Quadricornis's and a Tamatave male! but. All 3 of my Nosy Be's don't care what I do they just don't want me around lol 
Do i just force them to hang out with me, sit on my am or shoulder, head, what ever, just make em see you're not trying to eat them. I eat food in front of them so they know I am not interested in the. I notice them watching this sometimes.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/positive-reinforcement.155308/
Do i just force them to hang out with me, sit on my am or shoulder, head, what ever, just make em see you're not trying to eat them. I eat food in front of them so they know I am not interested in the. I notice them watching this sometimes.https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/positive-reinforcement.155308/
veiled66
New Member
Right on I look forward to seeing it! I am always looking for ideas to improve my free range setup. UVB is crucial because my veiled is on his free range tree all the time unless im gone for a couple days, then he is in his cage, so im always looking for add ons improvements. Thank you!
Angelwolf
Chameleon Enthusiast
It makes up the majority of the vines in my cham's cage. Check out my pictures. Some of yhe vines wrap around the cage 2 or 3 times!
