Im having a lot of trouble picking up my chameleon.

[ThomasFord]

a lot of the time when i get close to my chameleon he starts to flare up. idk if i should pick up a branch that hes on then have him crawl onto me. I don't want to traumatize him. But when he needs to go to the vet i need to get him but i really dont know how. i've heard that i should put my finger under his chin then push his back side to force him on but he doesn't let me near him. I've also heard that certain panthers wont allow handling at all.

 

[CharlieCharmingo]

Have you tried maybe placing a bug on your hand far enough that he would have to move close to you in order to get it? You could trick him and keep giving him a bug that makes him come up a little bit closer each time until he is on your arm or the preferred stick.

 

[MissLissa]

if he needs to go to the vet right now, he needs to go to the vet right now, no matter his preferences. If you are worried about being bitten, you can use a towel to wrap him up or a pair of gloves. It will be stressful for him for sure, but if needs medical care then he needs it and doesn't get a choice.

However, if this is to prepare for a future hypothetical visit, then I would recommend: take your time. How old is he? If he is under 4-5 months old, leave him alone: young panthers do better without the stress. However, you could start handfeeding him all or most of his meals. Pairing your presence with his food is a good way to increase your value in his eyes. Right now, you should not be worried about him climbing on you so much as "not puffing up when I enter a room". Picking up his safe stick, or trying to otherwise force him onto your hand is not going to help, and may hurt what you are trying to so a great deal. Asking a chameleon who isn't comfortable with you just being in the room to climb on your hand is like asking someone who is nervous of the height of a ladder to jump out of an airplane! Building trust takes time and positive, relaxed interactions. Start offering him his first couple food items from your fingers or from a pair of forceps/tweezers. Hold one item out (preferably his favouite) and hold very very still for 2-3 minutes. It may help if you don't stare directly at him, and stand sideways so you aren't looming over him. If he doesn't take it, drop his meal in his dish and walk away. My roommate had to do this with my cham- he hated her so much that he hunted her with intent to bite. Now she can move him around the apartment no problem. We just started with her hand-feeding him twice a day, for several weeks, until he was eagerly coming up to the front of his cage to see her, expecting food.

 

[Chachi]

a lot of the time when i get close to my chameleon he starts to flare up. idk if i should pick up a branch that hes on then have him crawl onto me. I don't want to traumatize him. But when he needs to go to the vet i need to get him but i really dont know how. i've heard that i should put my finger under his chin then push his back side to force him on but he doesn't let me near him. I've also heard that certain panthers wont allow handling at all.

 

[ThomasFord]

he also seems to be skeptical when i offer him wax worms from my hand, is he suppose to be skeptical the first few times

 

[MissLissa]

he also seems to be skeptical when i offer him wax worms from my hand, is he suppose to be skeptical the first few times

He is absolutely going to be skeptical the first few times: maybe the first many times! Move slowly and try to be an non-threatening as possible; make yourself smaller, stand very still, don't stare, breathe slowly, etc. I used this time when working with Vladislav when I first got him to meditate! Not all chams love waxworms: mine would take them or leave them, but offer a cricket and he's suddenly your best friend! Try a few different food items, a few times a day, for a couple minutes each time. Chams don't do anything quickly: it was a period of 4-5 months before my roommate could safely handle my Vladislav. Try to catch him when he is hungriest, probably an hour or two after he wakes up, or after a misting. Don't starve him, but a bit of hunger can only help encourage him to take a favourite food item from you. If you offer food at certain times of day, that will also build trust as you will become a part of his regular routine. It also means he doesn't have to stress that you are just going to "suddenly pop up" at any time that he cannot predict.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Most chameleons don't like us humans. Keep that in mind.

Being able to handle or "tame" the chameleon is not what keeping one is about, so if got stuck with one that hates your human guts just roll with it.

When it comes to handling, I only pick mine up when it must be absolutely moved. Much healthier for the animal. Lastly, don't be a wuss and if you have to handle him stick your fingers under his belly and between his legs then lift slowly. He'll climb on. He won't bite you if he can't reach your fingers right? So don't stick them near his mouth.

He'd most likely love you if you just gave him a clean feeder cup to eat from.

 

[Chachi]

I have a brazen female. She flares, hisses, bobs and weaves. She bites at my hand. But, when i put both hands in the cage and reach for her with both hands. She stops charging at me. I dont know why, but she doesnt get so mad, or doesnt show it nearly as much. Try it.