Taming chameleons

[Veiled chameleons121]

i know normally u shouldn't handle chameleons but now and then handling them and hand feeding them couldn't hurt them could it??

 

[kplatvoet]

Hand feeding is fine - If your chameleon climbs on your hand it's fine- but you should remember that too much stress can hurt a chameleon and that you should try and make any handling you have to do as stress free as possible. Move slowly and remember that it sees your hand as something that may eat it so until you can show it that your hand is something that is providing food he's going to be more stressed -move slowly and take your time - don't grab him -give him space. Hand feeding is a good way to get him used to your hand but he might just run away from it at first. You will, after spending time with it be able to tell when he's showing signs of stress by his colors. Some handling is needed - you'll need to clean his cage he may have to go to the vet. Try to make it as stress free as possible.

 

[Olimpia]

I think it's even beneficial for chameleons to be used to hand feeding and tolerate occasional handling. Even the crocodiles at my local zoo have been conditioned to come when called and to tolerate "handling," because it's a nightmare for everyone involved trying to move or medically treat an animal that is terrified, hissing, and lunging to bite.

And hand feeding means that you can inject medicine into feeders and give them their doses totally stress-free. As well as get up and close to see how they are doing (do their eyes look good, is the tongue working properly, does the mouth look healthy, good body weight? etc)

 

[SaintJimmy]

Here are some links to websites that provide their opinions on handling and taming chameleons.

http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/handling-your-chameleon.html

http://muchadoaboutchameleons.blogspot.com/2012/04/to-handle-or-not-to-handle.html

These two are pretty good links.

There's also a blog by Psychobunny on THIS website you can use. I'm not sure which link it is, so you'll have to dig for it.

My own personal experience is that they need TIME and PATIENCE, and lots of it. I started by letting him see the food AND my hand. Put your hand in the cage, and place the cricket/roach/worm/whatever near the chameleon. Do this for a few days or weeks until he learns that your hand drops the food into the cage. He will probably stop hiding from you then.

After he no longer hides from you, then you can hold the cricket/worm/roach/whatever by the tail end, and occasionally squeeze it so it wiggles. Hold it from the chameleon's face around 3-4 inches away, farther if the chameleon is uncomfortable. If he wants the food, he will zip it out of your fingers.

After he is USED TO taking food straight out of your hands, you can start feeding him like that all the time and get him used to it even more. (My chameleon doesn't even eat really unless I hand feed him).

Then try the "bridge" method. Hold two hands out. One is your hand, palm up, and the other is another hand, holding a bug BEHIND (farther away from chameleon) your palm up hand. The chameleon will probably have to walk ONTO your hand to get the food if you hold the food far enough from it.

Do this often enough and it will get the idea that it is safe to walk on your hand for food.

Once he starts coming onto your hand for food more, or even standing at the front of the cage and waiting for food, he knows you are there to feed him and he trusts you a little bit.

Sometimes they will come out onto your hand when there is NO food, just because they're used to it. They expect a treat eventually though.

I always give my grumpy one a treat for coming out and sitting on my head or hanging in his tree.

 

[Veiled chameleons121]

thanks for all the help

 

[Psychobunny]

You may find my blog useful:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/psychobunny/746-taming-chameleon.html