Need help handling an aggressive cham

[diananana]

So, I'm trying to start a low-level handling campaign of my ~4-month-old male veiled. I'm not really interested in handling him for "fun" (I don't necessarily think it's great for them, especially if they're not friendly by default), but I am really worried that if I need to take him to the vet or something, I wouldn't be able to get him out without roughly grabbing him I'm also interested in being able to handle him a little bit so that I can move him to his new cage when he outgrows this one, and so that I can bring him outside to get some natural light in the summer.

He's a pretty aggressive little dude, always hissing and inflating and rocking when I'm in the vicinity, especially when I have to open his door for feeding time. Today I felt like we had a big breakthrough, because I finally got him to eat out of my hand! I put a phoenix worm on my palm, and he grabbed it, two times! He hissed right afterward, but I still think it was progress.

So I'm just wondering how I can keep building on today's progress? Every time I read sources online, they seem to jump right from hand feeding to "stick your hand out and let him walk onto it!" which, at this point, would definitely earn me a bite. Like I said, I know he's not a toy, but I am nervous about not being able to take him out in the event of illness etc. Is it worth it to keep trying? What steps would you recommend? I really don't want to stress him out, but I don't want to hurt him when he has to go to the vet or to another enclosure!

 

[sandrachameleon]

I agree that hand feeding is a success, but that it doesn't necessarily translate into handling.

Here are some things to consider:

1 - The get closer slower method
Sit on the floor some distance from the cage- visible to the chameleon but at a distance that doesn't disturb him. Sit there, moving very little, for a while (got a good book?) - as many hours as you can manage. Next day, do the same only after a time move a bit closer. Repeat day by day. You can slowly start to get a little higher along with getting closer. Its possible that he will become less annoyed by your presence in time.

2 - Have a branch that is moveable. Wait for him to be on it or coax him onto it (wear a glove, come from below not above) - or leave the cage door open with an obvious escape branch sticking out. Once they leave their territory cage they are often less aggressive.

3 - wear gloves. distract him by waving one hand behind him. Place other hand in front of him. slowly slowly bring hand behind him towards him, such that he goes onto your other hand.

4 - hand feeding part of his daily meal long term to slowly build trust.

If you have to move him and he is not handle-able, wear gloves, and put a tea towel over his whole body (especially head) and then grasp him carefully. Gently reposition feet from branches to towel or your gloved hand. He will likely struggle and bite the towel (better than biting you) and you will need to be careful not to squeeze him.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I just hand feed until they get comfortable. Then slowly pull the worm away and allow him to use your other hand as a stick to get closer to the worm. Once you get this down he should get more used to being on your hand.

Veileds can be cage aggressive. Once he gets older I would try free ranging which seems to calm them down a bunch

 

[brownie64]

Not saying that they won't bite, I know this first hand and you would be surprised at just how powerful their bite can be. I had a 4 month old cut the blood on me. But you will find that 90% of all their aggression is all bark, and not bite. I also agree that they are very territorial which makes them very aggressive while in the cage. Once you get him out he will most likely calm right down. What ever you do; do it slowly except getting your hand out of the way of the strike LOL. Just be patient, and there is the chance he will never tame down. They have their own personality just like us, but I almost always got mine to tolerate me after some time and work. I only had one (which was a female) that actually liked being held and was quite tame. however it's been my experience that this is rare.