Signeddiamond
New Member
I was given a surprise veiled chameleon as an early birthday present from the wife. She knows that they are really the only animal I get excited about. Dogs and cats annoy me but I always go soft for a chameleon. Out of the blue she comes home and places a lidded bowl on my lap. I look down and see little Nymphadora looking back at me.
She was from a petsmart and from my research about 3 months old. Although I had done my fair share of research just because i found them so interesting as soon as she was in her cage I began furiously searching these forums and they have been invaluable. I let her settle into the new cage and introduced a live plant a few days ago. Instantly it became her favorite thing to hang out on.
I keep her cage open most of the time and place my hand in daily. Just a naturally open hand which I slowly turn in front of her. She does not get scared to the point of hissing or puffing but I can tell she is suspicious of it.
Today while she was out on the plant I slowly pulled the pot out with her on it and put it on the table. I let her look around uninterrupted for about 20 minutes before joining her. She seemed alright with a bright green color so I showed her my hand the same as always. I moved in closer with one finger under her head and she stepped on with a couple feet before retreating into the bush. minutes later I tried again and she climbed on all the way. I was very happy but could tell she was uncomfortable. I moved my hand to her cage and she hissed (probably a bit of unexpected movement, my fault) but I stopped and she calmed down. I moved to the cage again and she ran off my fingertips as fast as she could to an outstretched plant. Progress.
Am I on the right track? Obviously this encounter with me lasted less then 60 seconds but I want to be sure that I am not messing anything up. Any advice?
She was from a petsmart and from my research about 3 months old. Although I had done my fair share of research just because i found them so interesting as soon as she was in her cage I began furiously searching these forums and they have been invaluable. I let her settle into the new cage and introduced a live plant a few days ago. Instantly it became her favorite thing to hang out on.
I keep her cage open most of the time and place my hand in daily. Just a naturally open hand which I slowly turn in front of her. She does not get scared to the point of hissing or puffing but I can tell she is suspicious of it.
Today while she was out on the plant I slowly pulled the pot out with her on it and put it on the table. I let her look around uninterrupted for about 20 minutes before joining her. She seemed alright with a bright green color so I showed her my hand the same as always. I moved in closer with one finger under her head and she stepped on with a couple feet before retreating into the bush. minutes later I tried again and she climbed on all the way. I was very happy but could tell she was uncomfortable. I moved my hand to her cage and she hissed (probably a bit of unexpected movement, my fault) but I stopped and she calmed down. I moved to the cage again and she ran off my fingertips as fast as she could to an outstretched plant. Progress.
Am I on the right track? Obviously this encounter with me lasted less then 60 seconds but I want to be sure that I am not messing anything up. Any advice?
