Mad cham or just terrified?

[Minachams]

Earlier today, I tried taking my cham out so I can clean her habitat and I went a little bit faster than I did before.. When my hand got close to her, she opened her mouth. No hissing and no color changes. Is this normal? She never did this. But this time, I didn't use my gloves. When I do, she seems to like it and gets on my hand fast.

 

[carol5208]

Probably a little of both. When they open their mouth at you they are telling you to back off basically!

 

[jannb]

I have found that most of the time chameleons are terrified not mean.

 

[Psychobunny]

You just scared her by moving around to abruptly and likely doing things she is not used to seeing you do.

Example; I use a small battery power vacuum to 'suck' out cricks that have been in the cage overnight and hang out on the cage ceiling where the lights are. If I open the door with the vac in one hand, my chams will back away and hide, if I make the exact same motions w/o the vac, they pay no attention to me.

After a while, they get used to the little vac. They still don't like it, but they have learned it's non-threatening

PS. I use this little vac only for cricks, so I can just set them loose in their bin unharmed and let them stuff their little
tummies again with goodies

 

[LazardLizard]

In agreement with all above... No biggy-

 

[Yamajee]

Always move slowly around a chameleon, that's what I do. Fast things tend to terrify them, try moving your hand slowly and not towards him.

 

[amandagreeneyez]

My Cham does this when he wants to be left alone, if he does do it it's usually in the morning when he's basking (he's not a morning lizard). I don't have to be moving fast for him to respond like that, it can be something as simple as me looking at his humidity gage. I don't take offense, I respect his wishes and leave immediately. Sometimes I want to be left alone too.

 

[midcoastchameleon]

Chameleon moods vary so much its best to just honor the mood of the day. our male ambanja can been a social butterfly, trying to get your attention like no other, allowing a brief jaunt on our hands etc.. and other times, he will rip your face off if you get close enough. Out of all the chameleons I personally have worked with and owned over the years, Bagheera for some reason, is the only one that has actually intimidated me. I think it has a lot to do with is bi-polar personality