Help me please

[Vito22]

Lately, I feel like my chameleon (Amigo) hates me. I know i sound drastic but the way hes been acting towards me really sucks. He will not let me take him out, its actually tough for me to even come near him lately. Sometimes he opens his mouth when i come close but most of the time hes taking off into the trees to hide from me. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts of why he is acting this way? What can I do to make this stop?! My little buddy is afraid of me I feel like this is going to continue if I dont do something about it. Please help me. Multiple suggestions would be great

 

[carol5208]

First of all, how long have you had him? If you just got him, it can take quite a bit of time for him to gain your trust. Don't push the issue and let him settle in first.

 

[Vito22]

He was my girlfriends chameleon for about a year, I handled him a lot when she had him and convinced her to have him move in with me, I bought a bigger cage for him and he has been living with me for about 3 weeks now. But now acts completely different with me

 

[Juliaf3]

Maybe it's your timing. I know my Cham doesn't like being jacked with in the morning, or evening. Afternoon is when he will come on out.

 

[carol5208]

Have you tried to hand feed him? Try opening the door up and setting a tall potted plant in front and see if he will climb onto it. I have found that they are more at ease when they are not in their cage and are backed into a corner. Also, you can try getting him to perch on a stick and remove him from the cage that way. Then sit down and set the stick on your lap and let him check you out and get used to you. Sooner or later he should come around. I have heard some never do, but the fact that he was handled before and tolerated it, tells me he needs time to settle in. I would go with the hand feeding first.

 

[NosyBe15]

I agree with Carol. Start hand feeding, or trying to. Use a nice tasty treat like a super worm. It will probably take him a while to get use to you, but once he realizes that your a food source, he will warm up to you.. Just make sure you have strong arm, because you could be holding out that food for quite a while before he eventually takes it. If it doesnt work the first day, try again the next and so on and so on.

 

[Carlton]

I agree with Carol. Start hand feeding, or trying to. Use a nice tasty treat like a super worm. It will probably take him a while to get use to you, but once he realizes that your a food source, he will warm up to you.. Just make sure you have strong arm, because you could be holding out that food for quite a while before he eventually takes it. If it doesnt work the first day, try again the next and so on and so on.

Most chams hate change! It may not be personal at all. Just the major move to a new place, his territory was completely changed, and a new "two legged intruder" is now around all the time. Even if he knew you in his old home he may not make the connection to you now.

 

[Vito22]

It has been in the morning and at night so maybe that could be part of it

 

[Vito22]

okay that sounds like a good idea. So this stick should be able to move in and out of the cage and i can get him out this way? I really appreciate your suggestions, its already making me feel more at ease.

 

[Vito22]

I have hand fed him only once. I have tried the past two days but was not taking to it. The only thing im worried about is if he gets use to me hand feeding him im worried he will only associate my hand with food and when/if i try getting him to hold he will freak out because he might think some kind of food or prey is getting him. Or is this impossible to happen?

Thank you all for the suggestions so far

 

[carol5208]

Yes, on the stick. The Kammers of Kammerflage Kreations gave me that tip when I got my chameleon from them. Just kind of ease the stick in there slowly and slip it under his front feet. Raise it up and try to get him to latch on. He may flare up and open his mouth but he shouldl see it your way eventually! Then I carried him out on the stick and I sat down in the chair with him on the stick. I would do that like every day for about 5 or 10 minutes and put him back in the cage.

 

[ParabuthusKing]

Also, some chameleons just don't really like people. I have one male that is healthy as a lark, but up until about a year ago he would do ANYTHING to avoid me, unless I had food. Even able to hand feed him all the time, I was genuinely intimidated by him and for the most part would not remove from his cage without some type of hand protection (sock or mechanics glove). While moving for breeding purposes he did not want to leave females cage even though she was obviously not interested so I let him bite the tip of a glove with fingers pulled back.. He latched on like a pit bull and writhed his head for over 2 minutes even barely letting go once back in his home turf enclosure. Funny little guy but I love him. Anyways, now that he is getting a bit older he is much more calm and my puppy dog male is getting a bit feistier. Go figure. My only advice is don't get bit, it doesn't seem pleasant! Haha

 

[Juliaf3]

Ya I bet it's your timing then. I mean we are giants compared to them. Could you imagine being picked up in the morning after you wake up? Or in the evening when you are tired? Also, squat down. Come from below. It may help. I'm a newbie to the Cham world. Only had my Jackson about 6 months so this is all things that have worked for me. What works for me, may not work for you. I have three children so I don't hand feed. The kids would want to do it and it would get out of hand because they are 7 years old and younger. Anyway- that's just my thoughts. Best of luck!

 

[Juliaf3]

Yes, on the stick. The Kammers of Kammerflage Kreations gave me that tip when I got my chameleon from them. Just kind of ease the stick in there slowly and slip it under his front feet. Raise it up and try to get him to latch on. He may flare up and open his mouth but he shouldl see it your way eventually! Then I carried him out on the stick and I sat down in the chair with him on the stick. I would do that like every day for about 5 or 10 minutes and put him back in the cage.

Oooooo carol I have heard about, and seen pictures, of your absolutely gorgeous Cham "the one that got away" !!!! I've been in contact with Briana for over two months trying to get my kammer! May actually finally have warm enough temps to get him next week!

 

[Denverbug]

Ya I bet it's your timing then. I mean we are giants compared to them. Could you imagine being picked up in the morning after you wake up? Or in the evening when you are tired? Also, squat down. Come from below. It may help. I'm a newbie to the Cham world. Only had my Jackson about 6 months so this is all things that have worked for me. What works for me, may not work for you. I have three children so I don't hand feed. The kids would want to do it and it would get out of hand because they are 7 years old and younger. Anyway- that's just my thoughts. Best of luck!

My Cham does not like being handled at all however I do hand feed. I have a 4 year old son and let him hand feed him as well. So long as children are supervised while feedin it's something they may really enjoy. However I also know having three children around is a lot different than one.

 

[Defianceofexistence]

I hear you!!!....When I first brought my male veiled home he was so sweet. I could hold him and move him in and out of the cage and he didn't mind at all. Till he hit about 4.5 months old.

Then started the hissing and puffing up which eventually led to the dreaded open mouthed lunge of hate

I no longer stick my hands in the cage unless its to dump food in or empty the water container from his dripper. As of lately he tells me when he would like to come out, he will go down to the bottom of his terrarium and walk back and forth and if I open up the doors then he will climb out and I can put my hand out and he will climb onto me. Once he is out of his cage he is totally different, he doesn't hiss or anything, he becomes totally chill.

Be patient and watch what colors you wear when you go near his tank...maybe with time he will come around.....but don't worry, your not the only one ...good luck

Here is Loki yesterday, he decided to allow me to bask in his glory for a bit

 

[Juliaf3]

My Cham does not like being handled at all however I do hand feed. I have a 4 year old son and let him hand feed him as well. So long as children are supervised while feedin it's something they may really enjoy. However I also know having three children around is a lot different than one.

My two youngest are boys, and I can just see them now, sneaking down and trying to hand feed and then my sweet Cham crawl onto their hand and they freak out and sling the poor guy into a wall. That's never happened lol but it what I think would happen. Youngest is 2 then 4. They are very mischievous!

 

[Denverbug]

My two youngest are boys, and I can just see them now, sneaking down and trying to hand feed and then my sweet Cham crawl onto their hand and they freak out and sling the poor guy into a wall. That's never happened lol but it what I think would happen. Youngest is 2 then 4. They are very mischievous!

I hear ya boys are boys I only have one and has a handful.

 

[FrankTheTank]

I have hand fed him only once. I have tried the past two days but was not taking to it. The only thing im worried about is if he gets use to me hand feeding him im worried he will only associate my hand with food and when/if i try getting him to hold he will freak out because he might think some kind of food or prey is getting him. Or is this impossible to happen?

Thank you all for the suggestions so far

Having him associate your hand with food is definitely not a bad thing. It will make him more comfortable with you. He won't see you or your hand as a threat if he is used to you feeding him with your hands. Just be patient and good luck!