How to Approach Handling?

[AZJ0SH]

I have yet to handle my chameleon, he's about 5-6 months old now and and I need to make some changes in his enclosure, which requires me to move him to another plant for about an hour.

I don't plan on handing him often, just when I need to do maintenance to his cage.

I spent about an hour today attempting to handle him, he wanted nothing to do with my hands and I wasn't sure how to get him to out properly.

I tried using a small branch I pulled off, so I could get him on the branch and pull him out but he kept hiding from the branch.

I thought about just trying to gently grab him, but I don't want to hurt him or anything since he's still so young.

Any tips on first time handling?

 

[ChameleonNerd]

you can try luring him on to something with his favorite food. usually that doeos the trick. waiting that long to handle him will probably make it hard for him to get used to you though

 

[Elizadolots]

I don't handle mine now...I work around them when I need to clean the cages (they lean away and even hiss...it's love!)

I put them in the class of fish. Beautiful to look at, requiring considerable care to keep healthy and in no way a "pet".

 

[AZJ0SH]

you can try luring him on to something with his favorite food. usually that doeos the trick. waiting that long to handle him will probably make it hard for him to get used to you though

I tried on and off for about an hour in total.

I tried crix but he just eats them out of my fingers instead of getting close to me

 

[bigben2057]

If you need to move him just grab him and take him out it will only bother him for a second.

 

[mbondy]

You know it just depends on the cham, my guy goes out of his way just to climb onto my hands and up to my shoulder. He just loves being outside in general.

Is your guy aggressive? Does he just try to run from you? If he's not threatening you then can try putting one hand in front of him (below his chest) and another hand behind his tail. I've noticed they tend to move forward when you touch their tail. Of course if he's aggressive you'll have a little bit of fun. But by NO means should you ever grab him, ever.

 

[AZJ0SH]

If you need to move him just grab him and take him out it will only bother him for a second.

The poster below said it's bad to grab him? He's so small I don't want to hurt him, it's not worth it IMO.

You know it just depends on the cham, my guy goes out of his way just to climb onto my hands and up to my shoulder. He just loves being outside in general.

Is your guy aggressive? Does he just try to run from you? If he's not threatening you then can try putting one hand in front of him (below his chest) and another hand behind his tail. I've noticed they tend to move forward when you touch their tail. Of course if he's aggressive you'll have a little bit of fun. But by NO means should you ever grab him, ever.

He's not aggressive at all, he just moves across the cage trying to avoid my hand. I will try your trick with the two hands to see if I can try that.

 

[Jerdog]

My guy is a pain to get out as well. With one arm i place it all the way to the back of cage, he tries to climb up and away from it. I slowly move that arm so it gives only the front of the cage to get out. With the other arm I hold a branch very still for him to climb on. I did get a little bite the other day, didn't hurt or break skin but scared the bejesus out of me! With this way you don't have to grab him - he comes to you. Once he's out it's all good his temper goes normal. VERY territorial of his home!

 

[Jono]

I made a how to video for the contest which specifically deals with handling.
I put all my specific tips which I find works best for me at the end.
Hope it helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XgpEYCYeAY

Edit: Thought I should mention that this took me a few months of working with her every day to get her used to climbing on to me. I used to be able to call her from across the room just by wiggling my finger but since she first showed her mating colours she became a lot more suspicious of me and needs a lot more coaxing than before. The best time to work with them is while they are still young and ravenous! Put the cricket with in range and when your cham starts to line up for it, move it slowly away and make your hand (which should already be there) a bridge that he needs to use to get closer. Most of the time as soon as they have the cricket they will want to climb straight back onto their plant so until you have got him comfortable with being on you don't move your hand away. Leave him the option to retreat.

 

[AZJ0SH]

Thanks for the video Jono! How old is your veiled? Mine is about the same size, maybe a little smaller.

I might try giving Ziggy some apple pieces today, I didn't know they would even eat fruit. Do you take the peel off or leave it on?

 

[maximus10]

i had issues with this at first also... if you can remove the top of your cage do so and he'll climb out ... once hes out of his territory ... slowly put your hand in front and with the other hand gently tap his tail and he'll be on in no time

 

[AZJ0SH]

I am going to try again later today, I am not expecting him to be easily handled at first I am going to be patient and hopefully have him used to it within a few months. My goal is to be able to at least handle him once this week so I can swap out some of the dying plants and change up his vines a little since he's bigger now.