How and when to handle??

[flaminglazer72]

I've given my Villein male veiled a good month and a half to get used to his surroundings with very little handling. I would like to start more frequent handling, but not too much to the point where i stress him out. What is the best way to get them out of the enclosure? I've heard everything from hand feeding to putting "easy to remove sticks" in the enclosure. So that way when hes on the stick I can just remove it with him on it. Thoughts?

 

[kinyonga]

If mine didn't step onto my hand I would almost always use the stick method.

 

[GrimCamel]

Hand feeding is the best method to build a trusting bond between you and your chameleon. I would look for opportunities like I do with my own who isnt afraid of showing that he wants to get out ("climbing" walls, walks to the door etc.", then he is most likely to climb onto me but I doubt your chameleon is ready for that but I would still look for the opportunities and move him outside for some free ranging. It is very likely that your hands seems big and frightening to your chameleon but slow movements and guide him onto your hand with as little stress as possible. That's the method I have been using on my panther and now he is associating that climbing on to my arm will let him go an a free range and stretch his legs for a while

 

[Teal Beauty]

Our chameleons are completely tamed, completely! They come to us and we stick your hands in the cages and pull them out. No limits. We do it our kids do it. We never ever encounter problems or detect stress related to it! But keep in mind, every chameleon has its own personality! We breed Panthers and they are raised the same way! Total trust!!!

 

[MissMeela]

Mine comes to the front of the cage when he wants out (screen cage). When I start to open the door, he climbs up onto the door and up to the top. I then use either my hand or a stick, depending on his mood! Lol

 

[Meg4433]

I have a hard time hand feeding mine because he prefaces to be out. He sees my hand then he is out. I started hand feeding him at first.

 

[Mikesyring]

I put my hand under his chin and use my other hand and tap his tail and hill usually walk on to my hand lol u might take a bite or two but eventually he'll get use to u the teenage years are tuff tho lol

 

[GrimCamel]

I put my hand under his chin and use my other hand and tap his tail and hill usually walk on to my hand lol u might take a bite or two but eventually he'll get use to u the teenage years are tuff tho lol

It he bites he is really trying hard to make you notice that he doesnt want to. Biting is usually last resort.
But yes if he is outside and you have to move him back inside it cant really be helped as it must be done

 

[MSMorgan]

Patients is key. There maybe as many methods for acclimating your cham. to you as there are members on this forum. I've tried hand feeding lucky to get him out. As of late, like Megg indicated, when I put my hand close, he walks on up my arm and ignores the prey item. My theory is that your cham. must not see you as a threat, but an "opportunity" for food, to get out, etc.
Go slow. Spend a lot of time in front of the cage closed. Then, spend time in front of the cage open. extend an arm close to the enclosure. Then put your arm into the enclosure with a food item in you hand. Let him/ her come to you. It may take time. Be patient and understand that their thought process is not ours. Good luck with this. Please let us know your progress.