Hand feeding

[DirtyDubbz]

Hey my chameleon friends how's it going today my little mombo hand fed for the first time, guess he's coming around to me how's everyone else doing with this greatness. Opinions ? Comments? Conserns for others to see on this forum let's hear it

 

[Psychobunny]

That's great, he is warming up to you.
Try using silkies, they don't crawl off your hand as much, see if you can get him to climb on your fingers to get it.

 

[Montys mom]

cool.. jr eat a bit of veg today . well happy.. hes still a long way off to feeding from my hand but things crossed.....

 

[reptoman]

This video is a little old but this is how it looks here every day.


http://youtu.be/QUENJVvX60o

 

[DirtyDubbz]

very cool any tips would be greatly appriciated for others to see

 

[reptoman]

I start feeding my panthers off of a barbecue skewer with baby silks and dubia nymphs as soon as they are big enough to not choke on them and that translates into easy hand feeding for 90% of the babies we turn out. There is the occasional fearful one that will puff up no matter what you do but they are the minority. I hand feed pretty much anything but I agree silks or horns are probably the easiest. If there is an item that they never turn down, like supers for most panther males, try using that either pinched between your fingers (supers bite so not easy to do) or in your hand laid flat so they see it moving and snag it that way. Once you find the item and the method that is successful keep trying to get them used to it by feeding the first item of the day by hand. Get them while they are hungry and it will be much easier.

 

[Psychobunny]

I agree, hand feed the first food item of the day.
If he doesn't take it, gently place it on a branch, screen, whatever so he can
see it and step away. He will likely take it.
Then, try again with another feeder of the same kind, in your hand again.
Only this time, if he does not take it, don't let him have it.

If you give it to him anyway, he will learn to just wait until you put it down somewhere, so he can avoid your hand.

Later on, you can do the normal feeding

 

[Denverbug]

Dose hand feeding really mean his warming up? I've hand feed my guy since the first day I got him. However he still wants nothing els to do with me. Even sometimes when I hand feed he will hiss and snap up his snack at the same time.

 

[Psychobunny]

Hand feeding is sometimes the first step in getting your cham to willingly
walk onto your hand.
When I feed my guyz, I make sure they see me holding their food, like in a
clear plastic cup, and I show it to them before dumping into their feeder, or
letting them free in the cage.
The point is to try to get your cham to associate your hand (and you) with
food and goodies, not some giant monster who wants to eat them.
If you can get them comfortable eating from your hand, you can try cup feeding. Just put a few cricks in a cup and hold it up in front of him.
If they climb inside the cup while you are holding it, then at least they trust you.
It takes tons of patience, and sometimes your arm goes numb from holding it still for so long
Most chams will at least get used to you and realize you are not a threat to them, but that does not always mean they will "like" you.

 

[Denverbug]

My guy has no problem taking food straight from my hand. It takes all of about 2 sec. for him to snatch it from me but that's about all I can get out of him. He will tolerate me but no sir, he dose not like me.

 

[Psychobunny]

How long have you had him, and how old is he?

Who had him before you?

 

[Denverbug]

I got him about 4/5 months ago. Bought him from a pet store they told me he was about 4 months. They just got him in so I'm assuming he was probably wc but I could be wrong

 

[DirtyDubbz]

Great posts !

 

[Psychobunny]

I got him about 4/5 months ago. Bought him from a pet store they told me he was about 4 months. They just got him in so I'm assuming he was probably wc but I could be wrong

The fact that he is wc and from a pet store may have an influence on how he
will react to your attempts at taming him.

May have to be more patient, and let him have his space to himself.

Just keep reminding him that you are a friend, and bring the food!!

 

[Denverbug]

I have been giving him plenty of space. I don't think he's completely terrified of me he just doesn't want me touching him. Wich is fine with me. He still comes out and free ranges and I get a little interaction with him.

 

[DirtyDubbz]

All chameleons have different personalities some more friendly than others, with that said it seems that there's always a way into a chameleons heart just takes time

 

[mabrams]

I start feeding my panthers off of a barbecue skewer with baby silks and dubia nymphs as soon as they are big enough to not choke on them and that translates into easy hand feeding for 90% of the babies we turn out. There is the occasional fearful one that will puff up no matter what you do but they are the minority. I hand feed pretty much anything but I agree silks or horns are probably the easiest. If there is an item that they never turn down, like supers for most panther males, try using that either pinched between your fingers (supers bite so not easy to do) or in your hand laid flat so they see it moving and snag it that way. Once you find the item and the method that is successful keep trying to get them used to it by feeding the first item of the day by hand. Get them while they are hungry and it will be much easier.

I can attest this works Brian - I've got one of your Sulu/Ahura babies - he is taking crickets right off of my hand, and is very calm!