Very nervous/scared chameleon

[Lucy1995]

Hi,

Looking for some advice on my Yemen/Vieled chameleon as he seems very nervous.

I've had him for about 3 months now and he's around 6 months old. He's happy to hand feed most of the time but other than that he wants to run away or hide from me. I have only managed to handle him once since getting him as he gets so scared if I get too close to him. Even if I am just standing near his cage he will back into a corner or hang upside down from a branch. One time when I walked into my room I must of made him jump and he fell off his branch (I kept an eye on him after this and he was fine after a few seconds and climbed back up.)

Last time I cleaned his viv out I had to try clean around him because he got so scared. Would be nice if I could eventually handle him but would also make doing his full viv clean easier.

Any tips on making him less scared of me?

 

[kyle0417]

I've heard from a lot of experts on the forums that veileds seldom let their owners handle them. From personal experience, my veiled loves when I hold him and it's become a part of his daily routine, but he is still a juvenile so things most likely will change once he's reached adulthood. The only tip I could give you is to approach slowly and have patience. Make your hand seem like another branch in the enclosure and maybe he'll build up the courage to walk onto it.

 

[Lucy1995]

I've heard from a lot of experts on the forums that veileds seldom let their owners handle them. From personal experience, my veiled loves when I hold him and it's become a part of his daily routine, but he is still a juvenile so things most likely will change once he's reached adulthood. The only tip I could give you is to approach slowly and have patience. Make your hand seem like another branch in the enclosure and maybe he'll build up the courage to walk onto it.

I have heard different opinions on handling chameleons, some day not to handle at all while some say to try perservere and eventually they will get used to you. Unless I have food in my hand he will run away from me or hang upside down from his branch.

 

[kyle0417]

I have heard different opinions on handling chameleons, some day not to handle at all while some say to try perservere and eventually they will get used to you. Unless I have food in my hand he will run away from me or hang upside down from his branch.

Sounds cute. It really depends on the chameleon but I still think you should be very slow about it. Don't rush things. Be as gradual as possible with your advances to keep him as comfortable as possible.

 

[makkatfloof]

Each chameleon is different and has their own attitude.
Your little guy is also in his teenage years so it’s normal for them to act like this.
But when it comes to getting them to trust you or, “tame” them, it just takes time. Over time, he will realize your hands and you give him food and are not a bad thing. I would post a link to a YouTube video of how to tame a cham, but I believe every cham is different and needs different approaches.
Just try different things. But don’t jump right on in to picking him up whenever you want and what not.
Also, when you go into the cage, try to make your hand as closed. An open hand looks likes bird, which is a predator. And go to pick him up underneath his belly wth just one finger. Never pick a cham up any other way. Makes them think a predator is getting them if you do.