Getting Use To.

[agavrysh]

How long does it take for new chams to get comfortable with their new environment? I have my cham for week and a half, but he still gets shows black bars along his sides whenever I come near. I have tried hand feeding, but he would run away as soon as he sees that I am trying to open the door. Geez, he can even sense If i am looking at him at 3 feet away from the couch, and would get away from his feeding cup (even though, he was just about to eat something in there). HELP

 

[Solid Snake]

Its totally random.
From instantaiously, to never, and anywhere in between.

My 3month old panther didnt get "comfortable" around me for at least a month. Hes not aggressive at all, but he doesnt like being handled generally, hed rather be in his trees.

Just keep working with him, and try to hand feed the first feeder of the day everyday.
Good luck

 

[patrickfraser]

How old is it? I got two veileds at 1 month old at a reptile show on Jan 8. They have never been skittish, scared, or aggressive. Maybe in time that may change. Mine eat from my hand and don't mind being taken out. I take them out regularly, now and will handle them a short time. I pet them in all areas (legs, tail, head, under chin, back, belly, etc.). I think it has a lot to do with their life up until you receive them. I don't have much to go in for your situation, but do continue to "bond" as much as possible. Maybe they'll come around in time. It's a trust issue, I believe.

 

[imcurt]

As hard as it is to do. It is best to leave them be for the first few weeks.When I send a panther to its new home I tell the new owner to try to keep out of there enclosure as much as possable at first. If your hands are in there cage alot. They will think there in your territory and not there's.This can result in not eating or drinking enough witch can result in dehydration .Mostly with the shy ones.After a few weeks go by the cham will start to hide less when he see you. This is the point I start to hand feed.Start with a treat bug like small horned worm or a silk worm.Rember keep positive and move slow and he will get used to you.

 

[agavrysh]

He is about 3 mo old. He is eating well, I don't see him drunk, but I don't see him eat much either, because he hides. I just know that he ate by seeing the feeding cup.

I was just wondering when would be a perfect time to actually start to hand feed. However, since mine is still shows black when I am near, I guess, I have to wait a bit more?

 

[Solid Snake]

He is about 3 mo old. He is eating well, I don't see him drunk, but I don't see him eat much either, because he hides. I just know that he ate by seeing the feeding cup.

I was just wondering when would be a perfect time to actually start to hand feed. However, since mine is still shows black when I am near, I guess, I have to wait a bit more?

Im glad you dont see him drunk.
Theres entirely too much underage drinking going on with the chameleon youth of today.


Curts advice is great.
I got my panther from him.

I just released feeders in his cage for a week.
After that he moved to a bigger cage, I still released a few in there, but started hand feeding at that point.
I wouldnt push the hand feeding too much.
After he has settled in some, and doesnt hide from you when you are around, then start offering the first feeder of the day by hand. Eventually he will be hungry enough to take it, and the more times you do it, the more comfortable with it he will become.
Some chameleons never will hand feed though.
You can gain their trust, but if they are skiddish/super territorial then they may never trust you enough for some things, like hand feeding.

 

[agavrysh]

Oops Misspelled

Alright, thanks for advices, will to do that.

 

[Goldenarcher1328]

Mine took me taking him out of the cup he was in for him to be comfy with me! haha lucky me!