Handling baby veiled chameleon

[Chameleonsthecoolest]

I was wondering how much I should handle my new 8/9 week old female veiled chameleon. I don't want her stressed out but I also don't want her to be mean when she grows up. On YouTube a lady said hold them everyday for 10/15mn, and others say don't hold them very much. I'm confuse any advice would help thanks

 

[ForrestJungle]

I held my little veiled everyday when I got him. Just don't wake them up! Very angry little critters! But I don't see anything wrong with holding! I feel like they begin to remember you and become loyal! lol

 

[Chameleonsthecoolest]

Haha yeah

 

[DavidBuchan]

Once a day for a short time is fine, depending on the chameleon. If she goes all spotty then put her back. If she runs away then put her back. If she seems comfortable then it should be fine. If she'll eat from your hand then she must be feeling fairly confident so give it a try
Here is a great all-round caresheet I recommend to all new people with Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[Chameleonsthecoolest]

Thanks that's a great care sheet

 

[matt88]

what about if they go dark green wen u hold them

 

[kobe24]

If they turn any darker no matter what color they are that means they are agitated. I recommend holding them everyday and making sure to hand feed them everyday. That way they know when its time to eat so they eventually will just come right out on your hand.

 

[matt88]

cheers tryed hand feeding he wont have none of it

 

[kobe24]

Well in my opinion thats not too good. I mean I am sure he is healthy and everything but i think hand feeding is the most important thing to do if you want your cham to be comfortable when you hold it. Good luck.

 

[matt88]

cheers will keep trying

 

[squeekz1992]

Actually, handfeeding isn't the most important thing. Yes, it shows trust, but I had a veiled who never hand fed and he would come out no problem.

The most important thing with handling a cham is patience, perserverence, and the ability to stand still for a very long time and move slow.

The biggest thing with them is trust. Don't let him become such a bully that you can't handle him if necessary. Just take it slow you will be fine.

 

[MollyT]

My chameleon hand feeds like a pro but absolutely HATES being held. He gets so worked up about it, so I don't even really try to handle him anymore. The most important thing is that your chameleon is happy and healthy. If he is happiest not being held, then leave him be. That's how I feel about it. It would be nice to have one that liked to come out and see me, but I knew going in that a lot of veileds don't like that, so I was prepared to have 'look only' pet. I hate being forced to do something I hate, and I respect my little Kush enough to not do the same thing to him.

 

[matt88]

tryed hand feeding 2day for like 20 mins still not having any of it wen i put food in there he goes straight for it any tips on hand feeding

 

[Olimpia]

With handfeeding, these are the tips I recommend.

- Get a chair and sit in it. He'll be more comfortable if you're low and your legs/back will thank you. Then you'll have a better time of holding an arm up really still if you're not handing or leaving towards the cage.

- Handfeed the first few insects of the day. The hungrier he is the more motivation to do something that makes him uncomfortable. So don't put any food in the cage until you sit down to try and handfeed.

- Don't stare are him. Eye contact will make chameleons nervous, so don't stare at him like a hawk the entire time. If you can sit with your arm out and watch tv at the same time, better for both of you.

- Don't hold your arm too far into the cage. Don't make it feel like an invasion, so instead hold your hand towards the front of the cage and wait.

If after maybe 20-30 minutes you don't succeed then wait a little while and give him his breakfast. Chameleons can learn that if they wait out long enough for you to give up you will just give them their food anyway and they don't have to come towards you anyway. So take a little break (go prepare the feeders or whatnot) and then throw them into the cage. But that way there is a break between hand feeding and actual feeding time.

 

[matt88]

Tryed hand feeding 2day for about 20 mins but no luck any tips I can try

 

[matt88]

Wicked cheers will give that a go 2moz

 

[nightanole]

What works for me is tongs and holding the shallow cup of bugs. Kinda gets them used to the hand being there during feedings. Still never had a cham walk from the branch to my hand... At best they walk on the hand after i put my hand under the 2 front feed. At worse i get 3 feet, with the tail wrapped around the branch still, cham is like "and im good".

 

[ChameleonMom]

One thing you may also want to remember is that if your Cham is BRAND NEW to your home, he/she will require a "settling in" period. This should be at least a week of leaving him/her virtually alone (except for feeding which at this time it would be best to free range your feeders - and misting) to become used to its new surroundings and you. If you don't give the time for familiarity to come, you won't have trust from the get go and hand feeding may become more difficult. Like most great relationships, trust is an important aspect between you and your Cham(s) and to gain this don't be in his/her face all the time! Good luck!

 

[GronsDad]

I handle mine about every other day. He doesnt really change colors when I do and he is definitely not shy from my hand. He doesnt like my face though (understandable). He has no problem crawling right on to me, but he also doesnt sit still. I did notice that he is less hesitant now that I upgraded his cage plants to a much larger one. I think he feels more secure inside, and therefore all around.