Chameleon too scared to eat

[TropicNacho]

I have had my chameleon for about a month now and when I got him he immediately started to shadow me after I put him in the cage. I left him alone for about a week after that. To get this out of the way I have all the correct lighting and a 2x2x4 cage. He is a male veiled from FLChams and is about 3 months old. Whenever I put food in his feeding cup I know he is eating it because I can see him where he can't see me. As soon as I walk by his cage or come to open the door to mist he bolts to the bottom and hides in the thick foliage. After he sees me he won't eat untill he doesn't see me for about an hour then he will go back up to eat.

I tried to handle him every other day for about a week and a half to get him used to me but it didn't do anything, he is now even more scared of me then he was in the first place. I always go really slow and rub his chin to get him to walk on my hand. Sould I keep trying to handle him because I have read that's how you break them of being scared of you. He seems really scared and stressed when I handle him also. I also have tried to hand feed him multiple times but he walks right by the tweezers and keeps going to the bottom. Any help is welcome thanks!

 

[Chameleomom]

Give him time to settle .Stop trying to pick him up. Let him make the first move, if he ever does .Chameleons are not meant to be handled. They are a more of a admire them kind of animal

 

[JacksJill]

You are going to give him a lot more space. He may be timid by nature and never take to handling. At this point he's afraid of being grabbed/eaten.
For now I would feed him and watch from as far away as possible. You may have to sit quietly in the room with him hours at a time for weeks. Only go near to feed and clean and move slowly. You are a thousand times his size. Eventually he will get used to you in the room and stop diving for cover. Begin moving closer as he feeds in small increments. Eventually try feeding him from tongs or a spoon with his favorite feeder (super worms I'm guessing) only give him his favorite this way. Slowly move your hand closer on the tongs. Then try hand feeding.
Eventually you can start trying to pick him up. Do this as a positive experience like going out for real sunshine.
There are several threads on this topic.

 

[TropicNacho]

Give him time to settle .Stop trying to pick him up. Let him make the first move, if he ever does .Chameleons are not meant to be handled. They are a more of a admire them kind of animal

I realize this, but i cannot admire him when I can't even see him lol. I have been looking through threads and have seen multiple times that handing them frequently can make them less scared of you.

You are going to give him a lot more space. He may be timid by nature and never take to handling. At this point he's afraid of being grabbed/eaten.
For now I would feed him and watch from as far away as possible. You may have to sit quietly in the room with him hours at a time for weeks. Only go near to feed and clean and move slowly. You are a thousand times his size. Eventually he will get used to you in the room and stop diving for cover. Begin moving closer as he feeds in small increments. Eventually try feeding him from tongs or a spoon with his favorite feeder (super worms I'm guessing) only give him his favorite this way. Slowly move your hand closer on the tongs. Then try hand feeding.
Eventually you can start trying to pick him up. Do this as a positive experience like going out for real sunshine.
There are several threads on this topic.

I have a computer where I study and do homework by so he sees me a lot, I'm hoping this will make him less afraid. Thanks for the reply

 

[shomegirl]

While you are sitting there studying, leave the door open and just get him used to you .. with the door open. Maybe he will get used to you and start edging to the opening. If not, he may just be a grumpy chameleon. He will walk on your hand only if he chooses to do so . Maybe he doesn't like his chin rubbed. Give him some time. Also how high is your cage. They like to be taller than everything.

 

[Mtnlaurel]

Also, I know this is counter intuitive, but the more cover he has, the more likely it will be for him to feel comfortable enough to come out to be seen. At least most animals are that way. He's totally out of his element. Give him some time and don't take him out. Building trust has to be on his terms.

 

[TropicNacho]

While you are sitting there studying, leave the door open and just get him used to you .. with the door open. Maybe he will get used to you and start edging to the opening. If not, he may just be a grumpy chameleon. He will walk on your hand only if he chooses to do so . Maybe he doesn't like his chin rubbed. Give him some time. Also how high is your cage. They like to be taller than everything.

Thanks, I have been trying the door open thing for a little bit now, about a week and he still doesn't come up, thanks for the advice!

Also, I know this is counter intuitive, but the more cover he has, the more likely it will be for him to feel comfortable enough to come out to be seen. At least most animals are that way. He's totally out of his element. Give him some time and don't take him out. Building trust has to be on his terms.

Ok I will let him do his thing I guess, I don't care if he wants to go out or not I just want to look at him without him running away. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Pitcard]

There's no quick and easy fix for this. It's just the natural behaviour of a prey animal. Over time, and if you keep stressful experiences to a minimum, he will become less scared of you.

Handling is an okay way to interact after the trust is formed. You can't ever form that trust if you force yourself upon him. What you see as 'trying to tame', he sees as 'TRYING TO EAT ME WHOLE OH JESUS PLEASE NO'

Above poster summed it up best. Make your presence known to him as un threatening and go from there.