Well it's official...I've been bit

[MollyT]

My cute little Kush just bit me for the first time! I was picking out fruit pieces from last night and he started hissing and acting big and bad. I remembered reading that when they act like that, you should pick them up so they think you aren't afraid of them and that their big display was useless. So I picked him up and was talking to Zack and I guess my other hand was near him, bc he bit my finger! I was shocked at how strong his bite is! He's only 4 months old. I wouldn't say it was painful but it was definitely a strong pinch. I am still in shock! I also have to admit I'm a bit sad. I don't want him to be so scared of me. I wish he knew he was safe around me. Maybe he just needs more time.

 

[nightanole]

He might not be scared of you. He might think he is the big dog and cage dominant. While taming some of my chams from problem homes; The biters i would put my fingers behind the neck softly (think got yer nose, only its got your cham) and just let them go to town trying to nail me, until they gave up.

 

[Captive Creations]

Some take longer than others. Just never give a reason not to trust you and he will warm up to you

 

[torquasprings]

He might not be scared of you. He might think he is the big dog and cage dominant. While taming some of my chams from problem homes; The biters i would put my fingers behind the neck softly (think got yer nose, only its got your cham) and just let them go to town trying to nail me, until they gave up.

LOL I let mine go to town on me too instead of backing off. My male nearly chews as he's doing it for a bit, then gives up. Silly boy.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I would not want the animal to associate me with stress / aggression. If my animals are showing a territorial or stress aggression, I do NOT force it and pick them up. They are telling me to back off, so I do. Then I come back later when they are relaxed and slowly gently consider approaching and touching. With really aggressive ones, often coaxing them out of their territory/cage space (a removable stick for example) will see them immediately relax. Eventually, even my most aggressive ones become less so. They appear to gain trust that they are safe with me, rather than feel "broken" like they cant do harm/give up

 

[AbooLovesYOU]

My cham hated me @ 4 months. Do not force him to do anything! Just ignore him and let him get used to what your there for. Pretty soon he'll start to realize your safe and will like you!

 

[kokom05lb]

Ok what are you all doing to make these chams bite? Lol just kidding.

I have yet to be bitten by either of my Chams. Ringo has hissed at me and threw his head up once cause I had my finger on his nose. And that was the only time. I don't look at them when I'm trying to get handle them. I've noticed that if you look away from them they are move interested on climbing on my arm. Idk its just me.

 

[AbooLovesYOU]

Ok what are you all doing to make these chams bite? Lol just kidding.

I have yet to be bitten by either of my Chams. Ringo has hissed at me and threw his head up once cause I had my finger on his nose. And that was the only time. I don't look at them when I'm trying to get handle them. I've noticed that if you look away from them they are move interested on climbing on my arm. Idk its just me.

I've noticed this as well. Mine seems to hate the movement of my head, but could care less about grabby fingers...

 

[stalincat]

I wouldn't pick my guys up like that unless I really have to (like vet visit). Ripley lets me know when she doesn't want me around or when she wants to come out. If she doesn't - it's pretty much impossible to get her out without causing loads of unnecessary stress.
My baby always hates me, so thats easy ha

 

[squeekz1992]

Kuzco tried to bite me too! I was like "Excuse you?!" and he kept acting all big and bad, so I picked him up and gave him a look. He straightened up after that Even reclined on my shoulder

 

[MollyT]

Kuzco tried to bite me too! I was like "Excuse you?!" and he kept acting all big and bad, so I picked him up and gave him a look. He straightened up after that Even reclined on my shoulder

That is pretty much what I was trying to do. It didn't work with Kush, though. It just pissed him off even worse. I leaned a lesson not to do that anymore and will just leave him alone when he seems overly stressed out. I really hardly ever handle him. I've had him 2 months now and have only held him maybe 4 times. Really I just wanted him to be comfortable in the case of having to go to the vet, or when he's older, so I can take him outside and let him enjoy some freedom in the sun. He's doing excellent with hand feeding. He doesn't even hesitate anymore with it.

Thank you all for your advice. I found it all very helpful! Hopefully he will come around. I will let him go at his own pace from now on. If hand feeding is as close as he wants to get to me...that's fine. I still think he's the coolest little guy in the world and love him to pieces! Hopefully in time he will come around.

 

[mathew]

I've had my female for a year she's a year and a half. I can count on one hand how many times I've held her. She doesn't like it so I don't make her.she is mean lol

 

[lovepicasso]

My Picasso is 5 months old now and I have handled him everyday since I have had him, two months now, and he has never even hissed at me or my husband, we let him free range all over the house and we pick him up and love him a lot during the day......I think the more you handle them the more they accept you picking them up.......that being said, when he is in his enclosure we never pick him up, we wait until he wants to come out and then he will walk right onto our hand and away he goes, after that he doesn't seem to mind when we pick him up....sorry you got bit.

 

[MollyT]

My Picasso is 5 months old now and I have handled him everyday since I have had him, two months now, and he has never even hissed at me or my husband, we let him free range all over the house and we pick him up and love him a lot during the day......I think the more you handle them the more they accept you picking them up.......that being said, when he is in his enclosure we never pick him up, we wait until he wants to come out and then he will walk right onto our hand and away he goes, after that he doesn't seem to mind when we pick him up....sorry you got bit.

That is a really good idea! I might try that. He does seem VERY territorial with his cage and branches. When it all started, I didn't even have my hand anywhere near him. I was picking fruit off of the branches on the other side of the cage and he made his way over to my hand just so he could lunge at it! I guess he doesn't want ANYONE in his cage! haha Little meanie! He is a feisty one...that's for sure!

 

[squeekz1992]

That is pretty much what I was trying to do. It didn't work with Kush, though. It just pissed him off even worse. I leaned a lesson not to do that anymore and will just leave him alone when he seems overly stressed out. I really hardly ever handle him. I've had him 2 months now and have only held him maybe 4 times.

Oh... He's a stubborn little man then I'm sorry he bit you