Carpet chameleon handling

[Crystalchameleon]

I often see many panther chameleon and meller chameleon owners hold their chams often. And sometimes the chams just beg to be out. Does anyone else handle their carpet chameleons as often as a panther would?Personally my carpet chameleon does not enjoy being handled. Any input would be nice.Thanks everyone!

 

[maya2]

I've heard that carpets are super shy, and don't really enjoy being handled.

My carpet, Telo, doesn't mind at all. I wouldn't say he asks to be let out, but he'll walk onto my hand willingly and has only once hissed (but he fell and I think he was kinda startled).
I have no idea why he's so tame.
I have been hand-feeding him since the second day I got him, and he has lots of places to hide in his enclosure. But with my veiled, it was a big step to get hand-feeding, and I definitely consider my carpet more human-friendly than my veiled.

I also made it a point to take Telo in the sun the first several times I handled him (I think I waited maybe 2 weeks).

 

[frankpayne32]

Captive bred ones tolerate handling pretty well. Like most chameleons though, even panthers, it's not something they desire. I try to take mine out once every week or two just to give them a thorough once over, just a few minutes.

 

[junglefries]

I don't handle any of mine, not even the cute babies. That's what dogs are for.

 

[nick barta]

I don't handle any of mine, not even the cute babies. That's what dogs are for.

Well said….

Nick

 

[laurie]

I don't handle any of mine, not even the cute babies. That's what dogs are for.

Yes, and I have a dog!!

 

[Crystalchameleon]

Okay, thanks for the input.How would you recommend getting my carpet to handfeed?

 

[maya2]

Patience, so much patience.
With my veiled I had to start with hiding behind a plant and slowly getting him to eat in front of me. Then long tweezers, and waiting an extra day. Then shorter tweezers, then using a worm in the palm of my hand.

Getting him to eat a cricket from me was a huuuge success, and now I hand-feed both my chams their first couple crickets every feeding.

I used Psychobunny's blog as my main learning tool for this.

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

 

[maya2]

I don't handle any of mine, not even the cute babies. That's what dogs are for.

Hahaha, I definitely prefer quality time with my cats, but I do selfishly enjoy getting to take my veiled out onto his tree. I think he likes getting to have two territories though, he gets a little cage crazy.

My carpet could spend forever in his cage and never want out, but I prefer him to not be in there when I clean. I think it freaks him out more when I move his stuff around then when I just move him.

Can I ask how you clean the enclosures? Maybe just piece by piece?

 

[ChameLIonLover]

Wait, how do you not ever handle them? What do you do when they want to come out or if its time to clean cage, or if you free range? get them to climb on a stick first? If my guy is about to make a run for it, I make sure to grab him pretty quickly (and gently).