wondering what to do

[Kerrie3]

So as many of you know i had a chameleon who is Quite UNFRIENDLY. He s hisses and actually bites. i got him for the kids as my last one was such a sweet one and loved being around us. this one is just nasty and im not sure what to do with him. I am considering getting rid of him but i dont think animals are toys and just discarded because its not working. Ive had him since NOV. he is just a nasty little thing. can anyone give me ideas to help him. Ive got him in a quiet corner so there isnt alot of movement, I feed him on a schedule and clean his cage. but STILL cant take him out to put him to the outdoor cage any ideas would be great Thanks

 

[nightanole]

Vastly increase the foliage in the cage to the point it looks like you just have a pet plant, even if its hollow in the middle.
After that i would work my way from "diy cut up bottle feeder with screen inside feeder" to cup feeding to tong feeding. I would have all 3 feeding styles only happen "outside" the "tree", you can just hang them 6-12" outside the cage.

At some point the cham should stop being cage dominant and start to realize hand=food.

Right now it doesnt know where the food comes from, where to hide, and is constantly cornered by this huge thing with an evil hand that is trying to eat it.

 

[Kerrie3]

What do you mean feeder screen ? Ill get tongs tonight and more plants. So hang the cup outside the cage? what if he doesn't come over? do i just shut the door? will he adventually get into being OK with being handled i know they dont LIKE it

 

[nightanole]

feeder cup:


You have to make him a tree to hide in. You cover all 4 walls with leaves and have a hollow center, or you just put a really big plant in the center that has no problem hiding the entire cham.

He will feel safe there and will not be aggressive as long as you dont go inside 'the tree".

Next you have to give him a reason to venture out of the tree. You do this by placing the feeder outside of the tree so he has to poke half his body out to eat.

I do this by just hanging the feeder on the open door to the cage. I leave the room and shut the room door. Then i just check back in every 15-30min till the food is gone and to make sure they didnt go out on an adventure.


This is the technique people use when getting fresh adult imports after they are off the boat. Give them someplace to hide, and give them reasons to leave the hiding place of their own free will.

 

[nightanole]

Make the cage look like this:


You should not be able to tell you have a chameleon in the cage.

 

[opheliaeatsbugs]

I'm sure you've searched the forums for this topic... you're not the only with this question/concern and I have come across many great suggestions like those from @nightanole. My first cham has been a total sweetheart, but if she wasnt, I'd have been asking the same questions.

I've learned that they are mostly a "look, don't touch" type pet. Which is fine except if you need to move them (outside, vet, cage cleaning, etc.). I'm glad you don't want to discard him

1. More foliage. No traffic. No attempts to hold. Let him settle in. I know it's been since Nov., but start over and make sure you are following the care sheets on this form 100%.
2. Slowly start to move the food where he needs to come out of hiding to get it. Then tongs, then cup feeding while you hold the cup. I held Ophelia's cup but didn't make eye contact , then move close while tong feeding or hand feeding. I'm sure u get the idea... do each step until he settles into that one, then move on. Be patient.
3. I've had success getting O out of the cage by putting a horned worm on a branch I'm holding, wait til she was on the branch, then removed the branch from the cage, viola! I didn't have to actually grab her. I've read this suggestion by others too.
4. Eventually, hold their favorite food in ur hand and stretch ur arm out. Eventually, he will know u mean him no harm. They are pretty smart! My arm went to sleep several times, but she slowly got braver and now she's all over me at feeding time. It's almost annoying