Frustrated!!

[RoyBomb "Flex"]

I've had my guy now for 3 weeks and I know they are not supposed to be friendly. But I can't even clean out the cage or go anywhere near it with my guy running and hiding curling up in a ball. Will he ever get used to me or not, I would like to be able to at least look at him. I am extremely frustrated and don't know what to do. And hand feeding won't work as soon as I get close or the door open he runs on the screen and hides behind a plant pot. Please help

 

[Extensionofgreen]

If he's a younger animal, they get bolder as they grow up. Juveniles have a flight or hide inticnt to avoid predation. Make sure the enclosure is 2/3 above eye level and that he has plenty of cover.
Place his feeder cup by the front of the enclosure and sit as far away as you can, but still be able to see him. Sit and watch for 20-30 mins. Keep repeatIng watching from a distance, absolutely still, and while avoiding eye contact with the chameleon. They come around eventually, though some get defensive later. What species do you have? Some are more shy than others.

 

[RoyBomb "Flex"]

When I put the crickets in he hides but when I close the door and sit down he will start eating them which he also does with hornworms. And I free range them I don't use a cup so I don't know how that will work. Maybe I just need to be more patient I just thought he would be coming around by now. He's 3 months and he's a vieled by the way.

 

[FancyRaptor]

I have seen some good articles on Olimpia's blog about this so check that out. I would recommend just being in sight of him but doing your own thing. He will hopefully begin to see you as neutral as you haven't tried to hurt him. Then when you can get near his cage move on to tong feeding him crickets. This will get you close but keep a little distance. When he begins to see you as a source of food (happiness) he will begin to see you as positive. Then move to feeding with your fingers. Basically you are trying to get him to go from seeing you as a threat to positive. Doing this along with him aging and beginning to relax will make him mellow out.

 

[jajeanpierre]

@RoyBomb "Flex" That rolling into a ball is a defensive behavior--they roll up and drop off the branch. Babies are the worst for doing it They usually do outgrow it. The species I work with are known for it. I kept back one baby that was so bad every time I opened the cage to put food in, she would curl up and drop to the bottom of the cage. It was very sad. She no longer does it and hand feeds now. Don't force the issue if you can avoid it. They do get used to you. Babies are much flightier than older animals. How old is your baby?

 

[broderp]

My Cham would hide when I first got him. Being so small, I had a hard time seeing him, but went about my business. He does not let me pick him up willingly, nor do I try.

This morning (and for the last several days now) I am able to open his terrarium, mist everything and he comes down towards me, towards the front of the terrarium and sits there inches from me while I place in his feeder trough and crickets. He still doesn't let me pick him up....baby steps.

 

[JaguarShark]

I've looked at some of your other posts (you posted something similar a week ago). Looking at your setup I would suggest covering one or two sides of the mesh up to help him feel more secure and help keep humidity higher. I also suggest more foliage (it shouldn't be easy to spot him straight away, he will feel vulnerable if he is easy to spot).
When he is older and settled he will be more confident, then he won't need such dense foliage, but for now it would really help him.
Mostly though what you need is patience. Even my 4 year old my male still hides from me sometimes, that is what a chameleon does