I think I over stressed my chameleon

[Swaggycham25]

I’ve had my baby veiled chameleon for about a month now. He won’t hand feed and he sometimes turns dark just from me walking near the cage. He also does not want to be handled. Yesterday I accidentally knocked over his food bowl which then hit his plant and knocked him off his branch. After he turned dark for about 10 minutes which is much longer than usual.Today he seems to be a darker green than normal. Is he gonna hate me forever now?

 

[@chris]

When chameleons are young they are very skiddish and also angry. They aren’t afraid to let you know either. I would ease up on trying to handle him for the next couple of months. A good tip is trying to associate yourself with food. When i’m doing some cleaning in my panthers cage he doesn’t care because he knows i’m either giving him food or i’m not going to bother him

 

[Toothless the cham]

not necessarily even though a chameleons trust what the human is completely trust based. As long as you didn't do the direct damage to him he should be fine after a little while. Just leave him alone for a little while and then maybe after a few months dry hand feeding him again.

 

[CC's Baby]

I’ve had my baby veiled chameleon for about a month now. He won’t hand feed and he sometimes turns dark just from me walking near the cage. He also does not want to be handled. Yesterday I accidentally knocked over his food bowl which then hit his plant and knocked him off his branch. After he turned dark for about 10 minutes which is much longer than usual.Today he seems to be a darker green than normal. Is he gonna hate me forever now?

Bless you . I’m sure he will regain trust just give it time. You sound like me. I feel bad if I make too loud of a starting noise . Keep us posted

 

[GodricktheVeiled]

I've wondered the same thing about my boy. I was cleaning his enclosure about 2 weeks ago and I went to fix a mossy stick perch in the middle section of his habitat without realizing he was super close to it..he freaked out and jumped off his branch and ran to his pothos plant to hide...it took him until now to return to that area of his habitat and he still will slowly move away and hide when i clean his enclosure now. My boy is approximately 3 to 4 months old right now...I've had him since December 12th and he won't hand feed and refuses to be handled too. I've been told time, time and more time. They're still little and are very skittish. Im constantly reminding myself to just give him time.

 

[Thehippie]

it will take time but spend time in front of the enclosure that will give your cham some time to get used to you again the start introducing your hand

 

[salty dog]

Don't feel bad, my male ambilobes will be grumpy till the day they go to cham heaven lol...I've already accepted that, I love them all the same. my female ambilobes will eat right out of my hand, it took 2 months, are females generally more even temepered?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I’ve had my baby veiled chameleon for about a month now. He won’t hand feed and he sometimes turns dark just from me walking near the cage. He also does not want to be handled. Yesterday I accidentally knocked over his food bowl which then hit his plant and knocked him off his branch. After he turned dark for about 10 minutes which is much longer than usual.Today he seems to be a darker green than normal. Is he gonna hate me forever now?

He’s a veild, he was born hating the world!

 

[Swaggycham25]

He seems to be much weaker than normal. He’s barely walking around and if so he’s walking very slow. This morning he was trying to eat worms out of his bowl and he fell on his own. Should i take him to the vet?

 

[Kiraral]

Falling and a lack of strength or often indicative of health issues brought on by husbandry issues. A vet that knows chams is a good idea (please ask about this, as chams have specialized needs). If you fill out the form I’m going to post below people will be able to give you some more targeted advice.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

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Please Note:
The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Beman]

I've wondered the same thing about my boy. I was cleaning his enclosure about 2 weeks ago and I went to fix a mossy stick perch in the middle section of his habitat without realizing he was super close to it..he freaked out and jumped off his branch and ran to his pothos plant to hide...it took him until now to return to that area of his habitat and he still will slowly move away and hide when i clean his enclosure now. My boy is approximately 3 to 4 months old right now...I've had him since December 12th and he won't hand feed and refuses to be handled too. I've been told time, time and more time. They're still little and are very skittish. Im constantly reminding myself to just give him time.

When Beman was little I used high value treats putting my hand out and letting him take them from my hand. Then as he trusted my hand I would put my hand out so he could grab on and then my other hand farther up my arm like at my elbow with the treat. He realized that with my hands came food lol. Now my guy has always been really trusting and took to hand feeding really quickly. I think it is patience but I also think it is temperament of the Cham. Some just seem to be more of the typical don't mess with me attitude lol. I know Beman's vet was really surprised how friendly he was. She said it was very rare with Veiled Chams. That the breed is typically more shy and grumpy.

 

[Beman]

He seems to be much weaker than normal. He’s barely walking around and if so he’s walking very slow. This morning he was trying to eat worms out of his bowl and he fell on his own. Should i take him to the vet?

I agree that you should fill out the care sheet posted above by @Kiraral. This way we get a full idea of his husbandry. Fill out with complete detail brands types etc. Also if you post pics of the entire enclosure lighting to bottom of cage this will be helpful. If you feel that you should take him to the vet then do so. Just make sure you write down all the details that we are asking for and take your supplements as well. You will want to put him in a small box with air holes. Small hand towel in the bottom or paper towels. Close the box up so it will be less stressful on him. Make sure your car is not cold as well.