Sassy Veiled

[Nicholasdeaan]

I've got a 4 1/2 month old female veiled who seems quite sassy and ornery to me most of the time. Is she going through her teenage phase or could this just be her personality in general?

 

[GrimCamel]

Time will tell I would say. Veilds are quite known for their temper too but I've seen fairly friendly individuals too. How animals respond also depends on the owner, how you're behaving when you're with your chameleon etc

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

Time will tell I would say. Veilds are quite known for their temper too but I've seen fairly friendly individuals too. How animals respond also depends on the owner, how you're behaving when you're with your chameleon etc

So I've heard. I don't handle her at all. I'm waiting until she's 100% comfortable with her environment.

 

[GrimCamel]

How long have you had her?

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

How long have you had her?

Close to two weeks. I'd say she's about there and I'm leaning more towards it being her personality. What do you think?

 

[GrimCamel]

Two weeks are nothing at all. It takes time for a chameleon to build up their trust. At two weeks my chameleon would either hide from me or puff up. Patience is the key. Mine only recently started to climb onto me, it took him 3 months and he is still a bit nervous about it.
I would recommend hand feeding. That helps them associate your hands with something good!

 

[LindsayG]

I agree with GrimCamel. I got mine at one month old and it took a good 3 months for him to come out onto me on his own. Hes never hissed or puffed up at me and he is a panther not a veiled but still they can take quite a while to warm up. When he was little he would run and hide from me or throw his little arms up like I was trying to rob him. Now he's actually quite social.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

Two weeks are nothing at all. It takes time for a chameleon to build up their trust. At two weeks my chameleon would either hide from me or puff up. Patience is the key. Mine only recently started to climb onto me, it took him 3 months and he is still a bit nervous about it.
I would recommend hand feeding. That helps them associate your hands with something good!

Oh wow! I definitely underestimated the timeline then. She still does what you just described. What's the best way to hand feed? I've tried holding my hand out with a superworm or a cricket, and she just shys away from me.

 

[GrimCamel]

Oh wow! I definitely underestimated the timeline then. She still does what you just described. What's the best way to hand feed? I've tried holding my hand out with a superworm or a cricket, and she just shys away from me.

Try hand feed before you have given her food so she's extra hungry and don't get too close. There's no guarantee she will eat it the first time, even the fifth time but just keep trying and don't put any pressure on her and she will eventually take the bait

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

Try hand feed before you have given her food so she's extra hungry and don't get too close. There's no guarantee she will eat it the first time, even the fifth time but just keep trying and don't put any pressure on her and she will eventually take the bait

Haha alright chief I'll take your word on it and give it a try. Thanks much!

 

[GrimCamel]

Good luck with your little one!

 

[mvad]

I've had my veiled for over a year. He is now just letting me hand feed him superworms. Its not for my lack of trying. I think a lot depends on the overall temperament of the individual chameleon.

 

[Gwendalyn.brock]

I think I got lucky then cause my chameleon warmed up to me real fast and get a excited when I take it out. I think it depends on the chameleons previous experiences before you got them as well.

 

[GrimCamel]

I think I got lucky then cause my chameleon warmed up to me real fast and get a excited when I take it out. I think it depends on the chameleons previous experiences before you got them as well.

Or one's ability to read the signs animals are showing (Sorry for doubting you but I do)

 

[Gwendalyn.brock]

My chameleon only turns dark under her heat lamp and I don't handle her all the time. She climbs up my arms every time I put my hand in to feed and clean it out.

 

[MelissaB]

Another way to hand feed, if she's afraid of your hands, is to hold a cup with the feeder in it. I like that way the best, because I don't have to handle the bug or worry that it's going to make a run for freedom, lol.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

That I shall have to try haha Haven't done that yet.