Simba's Handling Programme

[KatCham]

I know there's mixed opinions on handling chams, but I've decided to try and accustom Simba to it for logic reasons, such as complete clean outs and possible vet visits if the need ever arises.
If he does become acclimated, he'll also probably enjoy periods of time free ranging in plants outside of his cage, and literally outside eventually....especially when he's bigger.

Anyway, I want to do it on his terms, so following advice from a few experienced keepers, I'm starting with hand feeding.

I'm going to update on progress (if any) regularly, so if anyone has any tips along the way, I can put them into practice as and when.

I'm not expecting anything fantastic immediately, but just thought it might be useful to share....especially if it works out

So, here goes:

Day 1 - Silk worm on hand, slowly entered enclosure and rested underneath basking vine where Simba was sitting. He was taking it all in and didn't seem comfortable immediately. Black stripes started showing, so moved my hand back slowly and left it there, for what seemed like forever (aching arm!!lol) He got greener and his black stripes disappeared. He sat there just watching. Didn't take worm but knew it was there. Slowly removed hand and let him be.

Day 2 - Tried with butterworm as brighter coloured. Again slowly put hand under basking spot. Simba not as phased this time and just sat where he was watching the worm move about. Didn't take it but didn't seem bothered by my hand. (again achin arm!!) No black stripes

Day 3 (today) - Thought more feeders may help. Put 3 wax worms on my hand and slowly put in usual place. Simba watching all the worms but then began to move off of basking vine. As he moved stripes darkened a little (he always looks like this when on the move so not sure if it was normal or coz of my hand) Because he moved away, I slowly removed my hand at the same time. Still no worms taken.

Like I said, I'm not expecting dramtic results in the early days, but I'm willing to take the time to convince him I'm not a threat. I'll keep up the regular presence of my hand with food on and hope he'll eventually take a worm from it....

Stay tuned ......

 

[Hoj]

my 5 month panther will take squirmy crickets from hand but not worms, he will eat worms from his cup tho, just a thought

best of luck tho i am currently getting him used to me as well,, just time and patience. i have read about diff, colors of clothing affecting their attitude as well

hoj

 

[KatCham]

i have read about diff, colors of clothing affecting their attitude as well

hoj

That is def true!!! If I wear black, he hides straight away....as soon as I enter the room.

If I wear white, he's normally much less wary.

I suppose it makes sense if they use body colour to communicate etc....

Not sure how other different colours would effect how they react tho.

Good luck with yours!!

Oh, and you couldn't pay me to hold a cricket, or a locust or a roach, basically anything with legs!!! LOL

He eats worms from leaves and his feeder bowl just fine, so I think its just a case of him becoming used to my hand

 

[Leroux2008]

@kat it took me forever to get used to crickets XD I see them as mini roaches.... XD and I dont like holding the worms for afraid tehy will grab hold of me and bite me.

 

[KatCham]

@kat it took me forever to get used to crickets XD I see them as mini roaches.... XD and I dont like holding the worms for afraid tehy will grab hold of me and bite me.

LOL. I don't mind the worms at all but climbey things...ewwww!!

It even made me wince when I gave Simba medium roaches for the first time today. When he eventually realised they were food, he caught one and it went CRUNCH!!! Ewwwww I've got goose pimples just typing this!!!

I don't feed crix at all. They stink!!! Gutloaded locusts are Simba's staple, but he gets a good variety of feeders I've just started him back on silkworms again. He's not afraid of them anymore and gobbles them up no probs. They're just a pain in the butt to keep thats all!!!

 

[Leroux2008]

I should be having some silks coming in soon. My Chams love love hornworms.... I normally pick them up by their horn so they dont bite me lol and Im deadly afraid of mealworms... I cant really tell you why XD I dont want to do roaches T_TTT Ive heard they are so much better than crickets but ughhh. I guess being raised thinking roaches are disgusting and being diseased makes you weary of such things.

 

[KatCham]

I think I'll try and find a supplier of hornworms over here. I've heard chams love green feeders, so might help with the hand feeding???

 

[Leroux2008]

ya they love it! I bought mine from our sponsor mulberryfarms. Got them all in perfect condition too, not a single dead one.

 

[KatCham]

I think I'll try and find a supplier of hornworms over here. I've heard chams love green feeders, so might help with the hand feeding???

Have just read that you can't get hornworms in the uk as they are considered a pest. I suppose its similar to you all in the states, where you can't get locusts??

Oh well, never mind.

 

[Leroux2008]

aw that sucks =[[ Idk if Id want to get locusts those things are freaky XD I am ordering some Praying mantis eggs =D Something a little different.

 

[Miss Lily]

You have to be consistent and keep trying. Have you tried letting the silkworm go right to your finger tip? They wave around a lot more that way! You could even try putting one on a vine just in front of your hand.

I've just searched through my old threads and Amy took a waxworm from my hand 5 days after I got her. But then she is female, and females are very food driven!

You might find this other old thread of mine interesting too. https://www.chameleonforums.com/finally-she-did-30266/ It took her over 3 months before she actually stepped onto my hand without any edible bribery or distracting/coaxing.

 

[KatCham]

Awwww, I love that thread.

I hope one day I will post something similar.

I know it will take time, but I'm gonna stick at it

 

[KatCham]

Well, just been more of the same over the past few days.

Then I was away at the weekend.

Today - Went in to find Simba right at the front of his enclosure so I made the most of it, got a couple of butter worms out and put them on my finger.
I slowly moved my hand nearer to Simba. He didn't move at all, just stared at my finger and watched the worm move about. He still didn't eat anything but I don't think he sees my hand as a threat anymore. He just sat there waiting for my arm to drop off!!! LOL
And he was a beautiful colour. Bright green down his back. His stripes were slightly darkened and his bottom half was almost white.
The contrast of colours was gorgeous!!! Where's my camera when I need it!?!!?!?

Anyway, I think its working. No major progress I know, but at least he's not running away anymore. Time and patience!!!!

He's growing fast!! He'll be 6 months old Saturday

He's got such a cute lil pot belly....that'll be all those insects he keeps pouching!!! He never misses!!!

I just love that little man!!

 

[KatCham]

You might find this other old thread of mine interesting too. https://www.chameleonforums.com/finally-she-did-30266/ It took her over 3 months before she actually stepped onto my hand without any edible bribery or distracting/coaxing.

So could you handle her by distracting with food and putting your finger under her before she walked onto your hand of her own accord??

How did you introduce that??

 

[Miss Lily]

I think it would be best to keep on with handfeeding first so he learns to associate yor hands with nice things! How is it going? To distract Amy I put one hand in front of her and move the other around behind her - whilst she is watching the hand behind her I slide the other underneath. It may take a few attempts though! I still use this method when she needs to be weighed or to take her out for some sunshine (that elusive yellow ball in the sky, lol). She begs at her door and willingly steps out onto my hand when she is receptive.

 

[KatCham]

Yes, I will, I don't want to rush him....I just wondered how you managed it...like you say if you NEED to get them out.

Otherwise I want to do it slowly, on his terms. He looked so handsome today!!

 

[Miss Lily]

Shame you couldn't get any pics! They really are wonderful though, aren't they?! Him not running away is definitely progress in the right direction - some take longer than others, and females are rather more food driven and open to edible bribery than males! Amy was so 'hungry' today that she started aiming at the sparkly bits on my glasses while I was misting Tommy! I turned round to see her sat there with her tongue sticking out! Too funny! Last week she was convinced that my black fingernails were food and would chase them round her viv! Hilarious! But that is how greedy the females are!

 

[KatCham]

He's shedding at the mo so thought I'd leave him alone as I know they get all fed up while its coming off. Pics in separate thread