Once they free-range they don't go back?

[djfishygillz]

Hi everyone, this is a question for experienced free-rangers

In my time with chameleons, I have free-ranged and had success. My question is, do you think chameleons have trouble going back into a cage after being free ranged. For example they nose-rub, constant movement to look for a way out, ext.

I believe there probably isn't a complete right or wrong but just wanted to hear feedback from others.

Thanks!

 

[laurie]

I tried a variety of that. I had one who free ranged during the day and was caged at night. He stayed up so much clawing his cage I finally gave in and he free ranges 24/7/365. My only problem is he will not be in a cage when I take them all outside, he still has to free range. I can never take my eyes off him.

 

[Hoj]

I have a panther that insists that he be set free, However he only does this if he can see me or someone he figures will let him out ( Trace LOL )
The rest of the time he is fine.
I also have a quad affectionalty named SH!^ Bucket ( thx Laurie ) cause he has scams to get out of the cage. He will goto the bottom and almost lay there all deprived looking, Then when you open the cage he goes right up my arm and off to his freerange tree, where he prceeds to get his happy greens on.....scam success
I let alot of my guys free range when I am home and they seem to appreiciate the free time. I think the free time outweights having to go back to the cage.

 

[Nicolas]

Yes, they prefer to be on the free-range and once back in the terrarium they want out. It's at this moment we realize that are not made ​​to live in terrarium.
Their behavior is not the same when they are on the free-range: they are more active, more curious. When you put an insect on branches, they are more interested...
I think it's on the free-range that they behavior is the most natural.

I was also told that veiled cham are less fearfull so less aggressive when they are on the free-range. Surely because they do not feel confined, stranded and the light intensity is better.

 

[Hoj]

I was also told that veiled cham are less fearfull so less aggressive when they are on the free-range. Surely because they do not feel confined, stranded and the light intensity is better.

I find this to be true, but have always felt that it is due to the fact that they are territorial of their cage and dont want you in there.

 

[Nicolas]

I find this to be true, but have always felt that it is due to the fact that they are territorial of their cage and dont want you in there.

I'm not sure. Personaly i think, it's because of what I just mentioned.
Veiled are territorial yes, but i think that we shouldn't put all above this.
The C.calyptratus are mainly fearful and so they react by aggressiveness.

 

[okiroo]

When I had chloe she was pure FR. she then fell one time so she was caged and FRed only when I was in the house(to check in here and there). She didnt mind being caged back up as long as she was put out a few times a day to explore and exersize. I think of It like this- do you want to stay in your room all day? It can be ok for sleeping and resting but you want to get out and explore. My Veiled on the other hand would NEVER go back. she loves her FR and I wouldnt take that from her.

 

[djfishygillz]

I can't wait till I have my own house after college, or at least more room than now, so i can work on a free range.

 

[d3s5]

I can say that for my cham, once he started FRing, he wouldn't tolerate any cage. He even hates his big outside cage - goes right to the bottom of the door and paws and nose rubs to get out. As soon as I open the door, he will sit right outside the cage and bask. Actually, now that I think about it, he really never tolerated his baby cage - he was only in it about 5 weeks when he decided to start FRing himself. I was just a new owner and let him bully me into it sooner than I wanted to!

 

[AbooLovesYOU]

My cham escaped from my cage.... I came home from work and found him eating stink bugs on my balcony window screen! Ever since he checks out the spot in his cage that he once broke out from... He's a smart bugger.