Handeling my Panther Chameleon

WillSchaeffer2000 · Oct 3, 2015

I'm having the common issue of not being able to handle my Panther Chameleon. I'm pretty sure what I'm experiencing isn't something that hasn't been covered in other threads, but I thought I'd get specific in case I need some serious Cesar Millan like Chameleon Whisperer type help.

I have a 4 month old Male Nosy Be panther Chameleon, he's very healthy but is deathly afraid of me at the moment. At one point I was able to get him to eat a cricket out of my hand. I've only successfully held him once. It happened during one of the times I was cleaning out his cage. In order to get him out, I have to place a container under him and wait until he climbs into it. I tried the suggestion of luring him with crickets in my hand or meal worms, but all he ends up doing is staring at me lol. So with the container method I moved him to another smaller cage that I have and put him outside for a few to give him some sunlight. When I brought him back in I placed the cage on he floor and left the door open. He eventually climbed out and actually let my hand approach him and climbed on.

Ever since then though, he hasn't been so kind and willing. I tried this again one morning and he hissed at me whenever I put my hands near him. I eventually got him on a stick and put him back in his cage. He will no longer eat crickets out of my hands either. I felt like he has regressed with me. I no longer and going to use the container method, it was a last resort method that I don't want to make a habit of and am hoping hasn't irreversibly caused the little guy trauma in association with me.

Any further advice on what to do (or not do) next would be much appreciated.

carol5208 · Oct 4, 2015

Open up the door and stick a tall potted plant in front of the door. See if he will climb onto that. They can be less territorial when out of the cage and might be more approachable that way How long have you had him? If not long, then not to worry. It takes time to build a relationship with them.

Adman · Oct 4, 2015

When I first got male pather I experienced the same issue, much to my disappointment, so I tried a variety of methods including the plant infront of the open cage door, and luring with feeders on my hand. Letting them roam on plants outside of their enclosure can go a long way towards calming them down and acclimatizing them to your presence and eventual contact. The main thing is patience however, my panther's only just started coming out of his enclosure, onto my arm after having had him for just over a month, but hand feeding was a big help, especially if you're offering him something he can't resist, like a butter or wax worm. I really can't tell you how long I spent with my hand outstretched tempting my male into taking it. It took a good while and it's damn hard to stay there for so long, but it paid off.