Aggresive Yemen Chameleon

[Pmurg]

I so want my Chameleon to be friendly. Firstly I wanted my setup to be as perfect as possible for my Chameleon, to see him thrive and grow strong and healthy. Which we seem to have mastered due to a lot of research and time.. I purchased Jürgen my Yemen Chameleon from the Reptile Rooms in Blackpool , the beginning of January 2017.. He was 7 month old. He is now approximately 9 months old. We let him settle in for about a week as we didn't want to stress him.. then we would feed him by hand with his wax worms which he eats out of my hand ALL THE TIME. He would also let me take him out of his Viv. But lately he has gone really aggressive and even with gloves on he bites me hard drawing blood. It even hurts through the gloves. I spend a lot of time with him UP to ten to twelve times a day when I am home I will visit his Viv checking him and feeding him. but still he is very territorial. I have only had him for about 8 weeks. Will he ever change?

 

[villanueva11]

I think it is important to respect his territory. Sharpie, my veiled, was a lot younger when I got him so this may or may not work as well but this is what I felt made the biggest difference for us.
I never reach in and grab him. Only exception to that was 1× for a vet visit we were going to be late for and 1× that I thought something was really wrong with him. Every time he comes out of his cage its becasue he wants to come out never because he has been forced out. I do have a few little things I know I can do to kind of encourage him to come out. Instead of going in and grabbing him try just leaving the door open. Stay close by of course, but not right next to his enclosure. Give him a little space and maybe a branch or a plant just outside of it that he can get to. Allow him to wonder out on his own when he's ready. I have had him for a little over 3 yrs now & most days he will venture out, some days he doesn't. There are times where he is waiting at his door when I wake up wanting to come out. I think maybe cut back on the number of times you are trying everyday and instead just open his door for an hour or whatever. Anyway...hope this helps some. Good luck.

 

[Chatjagz]

I have a juvenile veiled that seems to be very aggressive/defensive but it's only when I try to take him out of his cage for free time outside his cage, or when cleaning. He's very sweet just doesn't like me in his territory or cornering/forcing him out. I think letting him come out on his own is best for them.

 

[kinyonga]

Could be that he's going through the terrible "teens"! Could get over it.
Could also end up that he stays like that. Chameleons all have different temperaments/personalities.

 

[Andee]

I agree with @kinyonga almost all chameleons go through a territorial stage as their hormones start overwhelming them. What seems to help the most with it, especially with veileds and can help a lot with them getting better later in life, is setting up a safe free range area, either inside, or in an outdoor cage. You can then move him back and forth by using a branch. Usually if they spend around at least an hour out of their cage and just cruising a tree or something and not being attached to you at the time, it can calm them down so much.

 

[EarlMT]

I agree with @kinyonga almost all chameleons go through a territorial stage as their hormones start overwhelming them. What seems to help the most with it, especially with veileds and can help a lot with them getting better later in life, is setting up a safe free range area, either inside, or in an outdoor cage. You can then move him back and forth by using a branch. Usually if they spend around at least an hour out of their cage and just cruising a tree or something and not being attached to you at the time, it can calm them down so much.

What do you recommend for an outdoor enclosure? I've been thinking about building or buying one so when summer comes I can put him outside in a cage with some sort of live tree.

 

[Andee]

Anything as simple as a zoomed reptibreeze (depending on where you live and the wildlife you have, how long you intend to leave him out), or you could go for a sturdy outside homemade enclosure. Building is something I definitely would do if you have some dangerous wildlife that can get into cages that are simple. Also I would recommend building one if you plan to leave him outdoors 24 hours regularly. Otherwise zoomed reptibreezes work fine, just put the live plant in a heavy pot so it can't be blown over ^^

Edit: though if you have a chameleon who is being territorial (had forgotten the thread I was in XD) I definitely recommend going as big as you can and make it as much like a free range as possible.

 

[KeopiCat]

I don't really come to this thread with advice, but rather just the truth that chameleons, like humans, can have a wide range of personalities. Male Yemens are notoriously territorial and moody though. Best of luck getting him to warm up to you and sorry I couldn't be more of help... you're doing everything I'd tell you to try ^-^"

-Keopi and Mondo

 

[Andee]

I don't really come to this thread with advice, but rather just the truth that chameleons, like humans, can have a wide range of personalities. Male Yemens are notoriously territorial and moody though. Best of luck getting him to warm up to you and sorry I couldn't be more of help... you're doing everything I'd tell you to try ^-^"

-Keopi and Mondo

I do agree with this in a way. That with chameleons, you kind of have to work around them and accept what they want. This doesn't mean to give up trying. Sometimes it can take months of no progress and then all of a sudden one day they decide you aren't so terrible and they take that step forward in the trust. Then it's all leaps and bounds from there. I never recommend pushing with chameleons because of this, it will cause them to trust you less. But easing into it the right way can make so much work for you. Which is why I strongly recommend free ranging or giving a large outdoor enclosure. Get him to associate going outside of his cage, with going out and doing something he will enjoy. @jannb , she has a lot of veileds and has had great success making all her chameleons happy and socialable. She has an amazing relationship with all her chameleons. She does completely free range with all her reptiles. I think if she gets a really sick chameleon or young one she raises them in a cage until it is safer for the to be on a free range. But her reptiles spend almost their entire lives on free ranges with her. And she has had many happy chameleons.

 

[EarlMT]

Anything as simple as a zoomed reptibreeze (depending on where you live and the wildlife you have, how long you intend to leave him out), or you could go for a sturdy outside homemade enclosure. Building is something I definitely would do if you have some dangerous wildlife that can get into cages that are simple. Also I would recommend building one if you plan to leave him outdoors 24 hours regularly. Otherwise zoomed reptibreezes work fine, just put the live plant in a heavy pot so it can't be blown over ^^

Edit: though if you have a chameleon who is being territorial (had forgotten the thread I was in XD) I definitely recommend going as big as you can and make it as much like a free range as possible.

What are some good trees/bushes/shrubs that take up lots of space? I have a few owls around here so a homemade one would probably be best. Although he probably won't be outside for anymore than an hour just because it's quite dry here and I will more than likely be sitting there watching him lol.

 

[Andee]

I like camellia plants A LOT, but it can be hard to find them in the correct size for sure. But if you do they are great, the flowers and leaves are perfectly fine for eating. If you are keeping him outside, hibiscus would be a smart choice, the grow a good size as long as your veiled doesn't demolish them faster than they can grow. The reason most people don't keep them is because if use indoors they need really GOOD lighting and actually do best on a rotation. But since yours will be an outside plant you don't have to worry about that. It's just about finding the right sized one. Sometimes it can be seasonal depending on the sizes that are available. Pothos vines are always great, they usually start out small but grow like weeds and you can usually wind them around branches. Schefflera are good, but I would definitely go with a larger plant for a homemade outdoor. If I think of anymore that would work really well I will update this post. I know there are more. It just depends on what makes sense for walking on and generally since your guy may become a snacker on vegetation you just gotta be careful ^^ Like I would personally never use a ficus with veileds because I have heard of issues with panthers etc. who never ate the leaves, but rubbed their eyes or something on a weeping part of the plant and it caused irritation. When ingested ficus can cause vomiting and general toxicity problems with a lot of animals. Mulberry plants are kind of iffy. The sap from a fresh branch can produce a sap that causes diarrhea but can also cause halucinations in certain animals. But tortoises can eat the fresh leaves fine. I assume the leaves are an issues, it's more the white sticky sap from green branches.

 

[EarlMT]

I like camellia plants A LOT, but it can be hard to find them in the correct size for sure. But if you do they are great, the flowers and leaves are perfectly fine for eating. If you are keeping him outside, hibiscus would be a smart choice, the grow a good size as long as your veiled doesn't demolish them faster than they can grow. The reason most people don't keep them is because if use indoors they need really GOOD lighting and actually do best on a rotation. But since yours will be an outside plant you don't have to worry about that. It's just about finding the right sized one. Sometimes it can be seasonal depending on the sizes that are available. Pothos vines are always great, they usually start out small but grow like weeds and you can usually wind them around branches. Schefflera are good, but I would definitely go with a larger plant for a homemade outdoor. If I think of anymore that would work really well I will update this post. I know there are more. It just depends on what makes sense for walking on and generally since your guy may become a snacker on vegetation you just gotta be careful ^^ Like I would personally never use a ficus with veileds because I have heard of issues with panthers etc. who never ate the leaves, but rubbed their eyes or something on a weeping part of the plant and it caused irritation. When ingested ficus can cause vomiting and general toxicity problems with a lot of animals. Mulberry plants are kind of iffy. The sap from a fresh branch can produce a sap that causes diarrhea but can also cause halucinations in certain animals. But tortoises can eat the fresh leaves fine. I assume the leaves are an issues, it's more the white sticky sap from green branches.

Do hibiscus plants come back after winter(d they die or go into a dormant state like most trees)? I'm just worried that if I do leave it outside all winter that it will die from the cold and snow and I'll have to get another the next year lol.

 

[EarlMT]

Do hibiscus plants come back after winter? I'm just worried that if I do leave it outside all winter that it will die from the cold and snow and I'll have to get another the next year lol.

I like camellia plants A LOT, but it can be hard to find them in the correct size for sure. But if you do they are great, the flowers and leaves are perfectly fine for eating. If you are keeping him outside, hibiscus would be a smart choice, the grow a good size as long as your veiled doesn't demolish them faster than they can grow. The reason most people don't keep them is because if use indoors they need really GOOD lighting and actually do best on a rotation. But since yours will be an outside plant you don't have to worry about that. It's just about finding the right sized one. Sometimes it can be seasonal depending on the sizes that are available. Pothos vines are always great, they usually start out small but grow like weeds and you can usually wind them around branches. Schefflera are good, but I would definitely go with a larger plant for a homemade outdoor. If I think of anymore that would work really well I will update this post. I know there are more. It just depends on what makes sense for walking on and generally since your guy may become a snacker on vegetation you just gotta be careful ^^ Like I would personally never use a ficus with veileds because I have heard of issues with panthers etc. who never ate the leaves, but rubbed their eyes or something on a weeping part of the plant and it caused irritation. When ingested ficus can cause vomiting and general toxicity problems with a lot of animals. Mulberry plants are kind of iffy. The sap from a fresh branch can produce a sap that causes diarrhea but can also cause halucinations in certain animals. But tortoises can eat the fresh leaves fine. I assume the leaves are an issues, it's more the white sticky sap from green branches.

What else are good plants? None of the nursery's around here carry those during the summer:

 

[Andee]

Yes hibiscus come back after going dormant. Mine are all doing great outside after losing all their leaves during out cold weather. Abelia grandiflora should be fine, fuschia are great too, indian hawthorn. Try those guys? They have enough strength to hold up a chameleon, and usually grow large, you may have to thin some of them a bit though because they get a bit bushy.

 

[Pmurg]

I think it is important to respect his territory. Sharpie, my veiled, was a lot younger when I got him so this may or may not work as well but this is what I felt made the biggest difference for us.
I never reach in and grab him. Only exception to that was 1× for a vet visit we were going to be late for and 1× that I thought something was really wrong with him. Every time he comes out of his cage its becasue he wants to come out never because he has been forced out. I do have a few little things I know I can do to kind of encourage him to come out. Instead of going in and grabbing him try just leaving the door open. Stay close by of course, but not right next to his enclosure. Give him a little space and maybe a branch or a plant just outside of it that he can get to. Allow him to wonder out on his own when he's ready. I have had him for a little over 3 yrs now & most days he will venture out, some days he doesn't. There are times where he is waiting at his door when I wake up wanting to come out. I think maybe cut back on the number of times you are trying everyday and instead just open his door for an hour or whatever. Anyway...hope this helps some. Good luck.

As i have only had him for about 8 weeks i will be patient. Sometime he comes upto the glass front of his VIv and looks like he wants to come out. When i slide the door open and put my hand towards him he attacks me. So i will set up a tall plant outside his open door to encourage him to come out.
When he does come out what should i do? Should i put my hand toward him?
Thank you for taking the time to help me with my doy Jürgen..

 

[Pmurg]

I have a juvenile veiled that seems to be very aggressive/defensive but it's only when I try to take him out of his cage for free time outside his cage, or when cleaning. He's very sweet just doesn't like me in his territory or cornering/forcing him out. I think letting him come out on his own is best for them.

Thanks i will try this . Thank you

 

[Pmurg]

I agree with @kinyonga almost all chameleons go through a territorial stage as their hormones start overwhelming them. What seems to help the most with it, especially with veileds and can help a lot with them getting better later in life, is setting up a safe free range area, either inside, or in an outdoor cage. You can then move him back and forth by using a branch. Usually if they spend around at least an hour out of their cage and just cruising a tree or something and not being attached to you at the time, it can calm them down so

 

[Pmurg]

Im looking forward to our summer here in the UK. My husband is going to bulid Jürgen an outdoor viv, so when we are sitting outside enjoying the sunshine, we will bring Jürgen outside too. Thank you for taking the time to help me with my new chameleon

 

[Andee]

I wouldn't put your hand towards him unless necessary (in case he decides he wants to explore somewhere unsafe) for the first two weeks or so of this new change. It can take a while for chameleons to get used to new changes.

 

[Pmurg]

I wouldn't put your hand towards him unless necessary (in case he decides he wants to explore somewhere unsafe) for the first two weeks or so of this new change. It can take a while for chameleons to get used to new changes.