Male Panther Cham became aggressive after I went away for a week - been bitey since

[zechameleon]

So my 9 month old panther chameleon has become aggressive toward me. The only change I can think of was when I went on holiday back in December, upcoming on 2 months now. Nothing else has changed and he was never aggressive toward me before. The people who took care of him while I was away (family) didn't handle him so there was no possibility of trauma.

He and I were quite nice pals and I would have him out at least 2 - 3 times a week. I had him out maybe 1 time after I got home and haven't been able to get him out since. It's been breaking my heart, especially since sometimes he hisses and tries to bite when I am just putting my hand in the cage.

In the past week his temperament has gotten mildly better, I know they're kinda chancey to begin with to be held and everything, but he would crawl on me no problem. So I am not sure what to do at this current state. Unfortunately I have been considering giving up on him and have grown detached because of his behavior. It's just sad blah.

 

[GrannyK]

Hi there! Sorry your Cham is hating on you. Honestly, not many Chams are friendly, that’s normal behavior. It could be the trust you built got set back by going on that holiday. I would keep building trust back on his terms reiterating by food you are not there to harm him. It could also be that he is just “become a big boy” and is coming into adulthood of Cham life and this is what you get with him, a cranky guy.
Not sure if you have done a husbandry review or not but sometimes something is wrong in the environment or changed in his surroundings that could be causing him stress. I can copy the form if you haven’t and are interested.
I have one friendly panther and one not so friendly. Love them both to pieces but I know my boundaries. lol
Hopefully someone else will pop in with some ideas to help get your trust back.
Don’t give up on him, think of it as a challenge to become friends.

 

[Gingero]

I second the possibility that he is gaining confidence as he is getting older. It's very typical behavior. Babies tended to cower and sub-adults/adults tend to puff up -- all signs of a scared chameleon. I would try cup feeding every time you feed them treat bugs so they can associate you with the treat bugs. Additionally, you can try to take them outside (supervised) as the weather starts to get warmer. That can help create positive experiences.

 

[zechameleon]

Thanks, both. I understand that he might becoming a "big boy" and I know the set back from me not handling him has created a gap in our ability to physically touch each other, which I know they're not big on being held, but it's just been a 360 alltogether.

I am going to look into where I can buy worms and smaller insects that aren't crickets for hand feeding as I've read that really helps.

I love him alot and he's a very cool little guy and I don't try to push him beyond what he is comfortable with, but it seems he just is a lot more territorial or something and his aggression is really putting a damper on my mood ya know.

 

[GrannyK]

good luck with that little buddy! Hopefully he drops some of his attitude with you soon!