What is a Chameleons behavior like?

[Metalx59]

I recently bought a Chameleon and have had it for 3 weeks now. For the most part I just leave him be in his cage and occasionally take him out. About 2 days ago I took him out to clean his cage and add some new wood chips to the bottom of his cage. I put him back in and he seemed fine. The other day I saw him climbing around and was going to take him out of the cage briefly and hold him, but when I was about to take him out he started to puff up and back away. I backed off and when I reached in again he sort of hissed at me and did the same thing and even opened his mouth. Im just wondering if I might have done something wrong or is this normal?

I would appreciate any feedback!

 

[Champeleons]

chams can be pretty finicky, just never know what is going on in that head....but i would strongly suggest you get rid of the wood chips, they would more than likely get ingested & cause impaction

 

[chameleon884]

chameleons are pretty wierd arent they?
yes it is normal for your chameleon to puff up and hiss at you occasionally. dont do that to him to often though, he could get stressed. also, take out the wood chips, in my opinion, that is the WORST substrate. if you want to make your cage look realistic, put in some eco-earth. or just paper towel, or.. NOTHING!

 

[carol5208]

That is perfectly normal! More normal than not. He is telling you to back off and he does not want to be bothered. When they do that, just leave them alone or you will stress them out even more. They get mad, and when they do they hiss, puff and some even bite. Most chams don't like to be handled too much but you just gotta work with them and give them some space. If you put your hand out and they climb out, great. If they puff up and his then you need to let them be and not force the issue.