Learn some tips and tricks for how to tame your chameleon and make them comfortable with handling.
***This is advice I’ve learned from my own experiences. No guarantee these tips will work. Also, chameleons are solitary animals and it’s not in their nature to try and bond with humans. If a chameleon walks on you it’s because they trust you enough not to eat them.***
1. Be patient
It took consistently working with Neptune for 5 months before he showed any interest in handling. And the first time he walked on me I held my arm out for 20 minutes.
2. Work at your cham’s pace
Don’t force or rush your chameleon to be handled. Make baby steps and move at the pace they’re comfy with and recognize that some days they just need their own space.
3. Don’t pull away if they get defensive
If you pull back/give up when your cham starts to get defensive, you’re conditioning and rewarding them for that behavior. Pulling away will train them to believe aggression will get them what they want... Away from you. Leave your hand there until they calm down.
4. Leave their enclosure open
Let them have the chance to explore. Soon they’ll associate you with getting to come out. Try placing a plant, branch, or tree to encourage them to explore outside the cage on their own.
5. Give them treats
Hornworms did the trick for Neptune. I started with putting them on a branch, then tongs, then my hand, then my forearm, and then my elbow which forced Neptune to have to climb on me to get the worm.
***This is advice I’ve learned from my own experiences. No guarantee these tips will work. Also, chameleons are solitary animals and it’s not in their nature to try and bond with humans. If a chameleon walks on you it’s because they trust you enough not to eat them.***
1. Be patient
It took consistently working with Neptune for 5 months before he showed any interest in handling. And the first time he walked on me I held my arm out for 20 minutes.
2. Work at your cham’s pace
Don’t force or rush your chameleon to be handled. Make baby steps and move at the pace they’re comfy with and recognize that some days they just need their own space.
3. Don’t pull away if they get defensive
If you pull back/give up when your cham starts to get defensive, you’re conditioning and rewarding them for that behavior. Pulling away will train them to believe aggression will get them what they want... Away from you. Leave your hand there until they calm down.
4. Leave their enclosure open
Let them have the chance to explore. Soon they’ll associate you with getting to come out. Try placing a plant, branch, or tree to encourage them to explore outside the cage on their own.
5. Give them treats
Hornworms did the trick for Neptune. I started with putting them on a branch, then tongs, then my hand, then my forearm, and then my elbow which forced Neptune to have to climb on me to get the worm.
