Rookie mistake

[audiorazor]

I think I make a rookie mistake and have lost some trust of my chameleon in the process. In reading the forums I thought you were supposed to clean the bottom of the cage every week so I took my guy out of his cage, cleaned the bottom and did some other little things. Since putting him back in, everytime I open the cage he runs to the back. Never used to do that before I'm hoping he will get used to me again and not think I am going to grab him everytime I open the cage.

And after talking to some people on the forums I now know how and when to clean the cage without disturbing him much.

Just wanted to share this. Little sad that he runs now.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Try offering him some treats now and then by hand. Like hornworms or silkworms those are good hand feeding offerings. It may take some time but eventually he will assoc you and your hand with food instead of fear.

 

[audiorazor]

I will try that. Have 1 inch hornworms being delivered on Wednesday. Maybe with enough time he will stop running from me.

 

[pepezkakap]

Mine won't eat any mealworm or superworm. Don't know what else to do. They're still afraid of me but I take it as normal. Once they're on my hand, they will stay calm for a while.

 

[javsto]

I think I make a rookie mistake and have lost some trust of my chameleon in the process. In reading the forums I thought you were supposed to clean the bottom of the cage every week so I took my guy out of his cage, cleaned the bottom and did some other little things. Since putting him back in, everytime I open the cage he runs to the back. Never used to do that before I'm hoping he will get used to me again and not think I am going to grab him everytime I open the cage.

And after talking to some people on the forums I now know how and when to clean the cage without disturbing him much.

Just wanted to share this. Little sad that he runs now.

most screen cages that I have seen have a two portion door, the main door to access the full interior and a smaller door along the bottom that you can open to remove a substrate tray or for general cleaning. do you have that type of cage? just clean it out by using that smaller door so that you dont have to touch your cham and scare/stress him out anymore than necessary.