Veiled handling

[Tkkaplan]

I am aware that veileds are usually grumpy and do not like handling. I used to handle my veiled when he was a baby for very short periods of time. But he got really stressed each time so I stopped. Now if I ever need to do enclosure maintenance he will not let me remove him from the cage, he puffs up hisses and lunges at me. I understand that he will probably never enjoy handling but I still need to get him out of his cage occasionally for maintenance reasons. Any clue how I can remove him from his cage without getting bit?

 

[Jordan.gibbs]

Try getting a long sturdy branch to use and get him out. Most likely he will climb on it as you're putting it in front of him, or you can gently coax him onto it.

You can also try wearing gloves so biting doesn't hurt.

 

[Tkkaplan]

Try getting a long sturdy branch to use and get him out. Most likely he will climb on it as you're putting it in front of him, or you can gently coax him onto it.

You can also try wearing gloves so biting doesn't hurt.

I will try both, thanks!

 

[inkdguy35]

you could use food to lure him out onto said branch. good luck staying out of his reach though. that tongue is longer than you'd think lol. having him stressed to the point of biting is obviously not a good idea so I'd make that an absolute last resort

 

[Angelwolf]

You can also try hand feeding, and try to build some trust with him. He may not all you to pick him up, but he may allow you to work around him in his cage, providing you don't get too close. Good luck!

 

[RedMountainHome]

I second the sticks notion. I had a panther that puffed and lunged whenever I came too close, and I was always able to maneuver him out onto a stick without too much hassle. I find that paint stirring sticks are just about the right length

 

[Tkkaplan]

You can also try hand feeding, and try to build some trust with him. He may not all you to pick him up, but he may allow you to work around him in his cage, providing you don't get too close. Good luck!

He would take food from my hand but within the past month he seems to have lost all the trust he had in me, he used to let me handle him with little incident and would sometimes eat from my hand. Now he wants absolutely nothing to do with me, I'm not sure why this change occurred but hopefully I can regain his trust.

 

[Jordan.gibbs]

He would take food from my hand but within the past month he seems to have lost all the trust he had in me, he used to let me handle him with little incident and would sometimes eat from my hand. Now he wants absolutely nothing to do with me, I'm not sure why this change occurred but hopefully I can regain his trust.

I think this is fairly typical for Veileds, don't take it too personal. Just remember to give him space, and ease him into it over the next few months.

 

[Angelwolf]

I'm just guessing, he is somewhere between 9 and 12 months old?

 

[opheliaeatsbugs]

That was going to be my guess too @Angelwolf LOL

 

[Tkkaplan]

I'm just guessing, he is somewhere between 9 and 12 months old?

I'm actually not 100% sure. I was a bad keeper and forgot to ask the breeder his age before I got him. But if I were to guess I would say he's not quite 9 months old but getting close. I've had him since early March.

 

[GregJD]

Gary, my veiled, is a grumpy sonofagun, but what I did was hand feed him, lure him out on a stick or something. After that, I moved him to my hand or arm. We keep him in the TV room where we chat, nap, eat, and hang out. They always see us, and we are always there. They learn that we aren't interested in eating them. I also make sure they see me bring their crickets and worms to them. He likes to get on my head, now. My new guy, a panther, Solomon, freaks out, so I'm doing the same routine. They can't see each other unless they strain or we're holding 1 (Gary has always had some critter around his cage, I understand he may be an anomaly, but he loves to watch the guinea pigs and the geckos as well as the TV. He also loves the dogs. I NEVER let him get near the smaller critters or the dogs, as I don't trust them...or him). I said all that to say this: Socializing worked for me. Gary is a sweet chameleon, especially for a veiled. Time spent with and around them will work wonders. Every morning he glares at me, turns around and acts like he's going to retreat into the foliage, only to glance back and wait for me to say, "Gary! Don't go!" Then he huffs and sits down like he's gonna chat with me. I blame handling every other day, or at least once a week, and making sure he can see me most of the time I'm home.

Hope that helps, sorry for rambling, but I like to explain what I did and do to keep Gary fun.
My mother in love likes to hold him whenever she comes over. He's a sweetie. Socialize and handle. Don't be afraid of getting bit, I held a WC once and he didn't give me a warning. If he wanted to bite you, he would.

 

[Tkkaplan]

Gary, my veiled, is a grumpy sonofagun, but what I did was hand feed him, lure him out on a stick or something. After that, I moved him to my hand or arm. We keep him in the TV room where we chat, nap, eat, and hang out. They always see us, and we are always there. They learn that we aren't interested in eating them. I also make sure they see me bring their crickets and worms to them. He likes to get on my head, now. My new guy, a panther, Solomon, freaks out, so I'm doing the same routine. They can't see each other unless they strain or we're holding 1 (Gary has always had some critter around his cage, I understand he may be an anomaly, but he loves to watch the guinea pigs and the geckos as well as the TV. He also loves the dogs. I NEVER let him get near the smaller critters or the dogs, as I don't trust them...or him). I said all that to say this: Socializing worked for me. Gary is a sweet chameleon, especially for a veiled. Time spent with and around them will work wonders. Every morning he glares at me, turns around and acts like he's going to retreat into the foliage, only to glance back and wait for me to say, "Gary! Don't go!" Then he huffs and sits down like he's gonna chat with me. I blame handling every other day, or at least once a week, and making sure he can see me most of the time I'm home.

Hope that helps, sorry for rambling, but I like to explain what I did and do to keep Gary fun.
My mother in love likes to hold him whenever she comes over. He's a sweetie. Socialize and handle. Don't be afraid of getting bit, I held a WC once and he didn't give me a warning. If he wanted to bite you, he would.

Thanks for the input