How the heck to get them out of the cage?
- Thread starter BigTex
- Start date
dj special k
New Member
I have a one year old male Veiled that's the friendliest cham I've ever had. His only problem is that initial handling to get him out of his cage. He doesn't hiss, gape, or lunge at me, he just looks at me and walks away slowly. I usually put one hand in front of him and one behind him, that way he moves forward and crawls onto my hand. Occasionally he'll be slick and slip his way to the corner where he knows it's hard for me to reach. What I usually do is mist the corner so he starts moving away from there and onto my hands... After that, he realizes that he's gonna get moved to an open ficus with sun... and when he comes back, his cage will be clean. Good luck with yours. If he bites, maybe try using a working glove or something.
alan23
New Member
i use have trouble etting mine out of the cage then i bought a big plant wht is now in his new cage punt tht on a table so ws quite high up gt a fake vine wrap it round plant and round cage where ever u cn on it and he came out on his free will.after a few times he loves coming out when i open cage he comes out by his self 
christyo2o2
New Member
well when mine gives me a hard time about getting him out, i use a kitchen rag and just cover him up with it so he cant see whats going on. then once hes out i take it off. It works well for me, and i dont have to worry about him trying to bite me : )
alan23
New Member
oooooooooooooo shirty lol right step one lol get a plant quite a big one if you can lol step two get a table so plant is quite high step three get a fake vine and wrap it round your plant and to part of your cage and see if he will come out on his own free will
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chameleon-ladder-6043/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chameleon-ladder-6043/
Chameleons Northwest
Avid Member
I've never used the towel method, but I guess it sounds plausible. If you decide to use this method PLEASE be sure his tail is not tightly wrapped around something. You could possibly damage or break off the end of a tail when removing resistant cham from enclosure.
Sometimes if the stick is too small in diameter it resembles a snake and so the cham will resist it.
I've used a branch, placed in front of cham, place my hand behind cham and gently encourage him onto the branch. Then, while removing from the enclosure I always watch to see that the cham does not grab anything with his tail.
Most of mine will come out using the front hand-back hand method, but this is not a good method to use if the cham is likely to bite.
Chameleons Northwest
Avid Member
I have often got a cham out of a corner by slowly and gently sliding my hand under his belly and holding it there for a bit. Within about 20 seconds the cham will feel the warmth of the hand and relax into it. Then with the other hand I gently release the toenails from the screen. I understand this is difficult to do in a large deep cage (as some of mine are). I have had to stand on a stool at times to do this, but it was worth it. Always remember to move slowly.
Also, do you know about clothing colors? Wear a color that is chameleon friendly. Such as a subdued tan or subdued green. Nothing bold or boldly patterned. It makes a HUGE difference.
Chameleons Northwest
Avid Member
Another thought: If the cham is stressing I let it go and return later. Although, I understand it isn't always feasible to wait, as some things have to be done within the limitations of OUR schedule, not theirs
Chameleons Northwest
Avid Member
That's a tricky question. If it is a known biter, I leave and come back later, or try a different method. If it is not a known biter, then, when it lunges, I DO NOT jerk my hand away. I just stop my hand where it is, wait a few seconds, and very slowly proceed to gently slide my hand under its belly. The cham will usually settle down when it sees I'm not going to run off. THis takes guts and some practice to overcome the reflex of quickly withdrawing your hand.
Gloves can help (the right color gloves). But a cham can bite through a glove.
christyo2o2
New Member
yah i just use the towl.. so he cant see what im doing and get stressed out. i do agree with being careful when you do being sure that you dont hurt it. they do have good grips with there feet and tail. i just try to gently remove them, normally if i put my finger in place of the branch he will slowly move onto my hand.
nightcrawler
Avid Member
i bribe mine with a mealworm/hornworm/silkworm/waxworm to get him to come out. alls i do is hold the worm in one hand and extend the other towards him holding it right by him and move the worm close enough so its just out of his reach, then once he starts to move(and mine moves fast for these) just move it back up your arm so he has to crawl up it to get it. it gets him out without him even knowing hes out of the cage, and he gets a snack so its worth it.
studiocham
New Member
I use a very fine piece of ficus branch or a long piece of dry grass to tickle a cham onto a branch or my hand for removal from the cage. I have one WC that is particularly spooky, but with patience and this method, he eventually comes around. It also helps to tip my hand or stick end up higher than where the cham is currently perched. They readily climb upwards.
In a sense, you've trained him to go to the farthest corner. If you change your approach angle, or use the tickle method, you will start un-training that behavior. Tickling makes it seem more like it is his own idea to come to the front of the enclosure. If you chase him into the corner every time, and then baffle him with a towel, he's not going be a willing animal in any interaction with you.
More detail and photos:
http://www.melleridiscovery.com/index.html
double click Husbandry in the main menu
click Handling in the lower menu
I hope this helps you work with your chameleon.
Chameleons Northwest
Avid Member
Thank you for the link Kristina. That was great step-by-step instruction with photos. Only problem is, now I am craving a Melleri
