What colour gloves?

[Slofe]

I have to move house soon and I will need to take Isambard out of his cage for this. I very rarely handle him, except when he walks onto my hand by choice. He's still only quite small but I will openly admit here that I am a wuss. I have never taken him out against his will, i've looked at the handling videos, have tried to implement them but end up shaking and pulling my hand away lol (yeah I know, what a wuss) he doesn't even puff up or anything, maybe I need to get bitten by him so I know what it's like and get over my fear.

In the event that I don't do this i'm just going to get some gloves, that way i'd feel more inclined to lift him up using the method in the handling videos. So what type and colour gloves do you recommend? I was thinking green gardening gloves as they're quite thick. He seems to detest anything black.

 

[hallenhe]

What kind of cham is he? - I've been bitten twice (both accidental) by my panther, and it wasn't bad; an adult veiled can break the skin, but your guy sounds pretty gentle.
I have no advice on glove color (sorry). One thing you could try is seeing if he'd climb onto a stick or plant and moving him on that.

 

[Slofe]

What kind of cham is he? - I've been bitten twice (both accidental) by my panther, and it wasn't bad; an adult veiled can break the skin, but your guy sounds pretty gentle.
I have no advice on glove color (sorry). One thing you could try is seeing if he'd climb onto a stick or plant and moving him on that.

He's a veiled. I think i'm just being too much of a wuss lol. I've had him since November last year and he hasn't really hissed much at all, in fact i'd say less than 10 times and he lives in the same room as me.

 

[Vampire.queen]

He should be used to you after such a long time. I wouldn't take gloves- it could scare him...
And you shouldn't be afraid of being bitten- it doesn't hurt Just don't use much force when getting him out- the only one who can get hurt is him.

 

[Slofe]

I just did a trial run of getting him out like the method in the video teaches. I started moving my hand under his chin and stroking it a little, he didn't mind that, in fact he almost seemed to like it. Then I put my hand under further and lifted but I hesitated, I dunno why i'm so nervous. It was weird, it was almost as if he knew I was trying to practice lol. Anyway, he didn't puff up or hiss at all but because I hesitated he just turned away and sauntered off, again it wasn't at a fast pace nor was there any sign of anger, just a slow climb away.

 

[Miss Lily]

I just did a trial run of getting him out like the method in the video teaches. I started moving my hand under his chin and stroking it a little, he didn't mind that, in fact he almost seemed to like it. Then I put my hand under further and lifted but I hesitated, I dunno why i'm so nervous. It was weird, it was almost as if he knew I was trying to practice lol. Anyway, he didn't puff up or hiss at all but because I hesitated he just turned away and sauntered off, again it wasn't at a fast pace nor was there any sign of anger, just a slow climb away.

Sounds just like Amy! Try putting your hands in such a way that he has to step on you - distract him with one hand while you approach him with the other. You could try tempting him onto your hand using food (they are very easily bribed when it involves something tasty!) Amy will puff up, but I just keep movements slow and stop moving when when she puffs her chin a bit. I am now able to get her out of her cage withough bribing with food. I am sure that once you've done it once you will be fine! It is much easier to handle a larger cham than a baby - they can't run and drop off branches so quickly!

 

[Slofe]

Sounds just like Amy! Try putting your hands in such a way that he has to step on you - distract him with one hand while you approach him with the other. You could try tempting him onto your hand using food (they are very easily bribed when it involves something tasty!) Amy will puff up, but I just keep movements slow and stop moving when when she puffs her chin a bit. I am now able to get her out of her cage withough bribing with food. I am sure that once you've done it once you will be fine! It is much easier to handle a larger cham than a baby - they can't run and drop off branches so quickly!

The food thing used to work when he was a nipper but he's got wise to it now . Mind you he hasn't had any wax worms in a while so maybe that'll tempt him. I was the same when he walked onto my hand, I was shaking like a leaf! But now it's fine so i'm sure it will be the same when I take him out using this method.

He's hasn't got the usual temperament of male yemens, he's not bothered in the slightest when I put my hand in the cage or anywhere near him in fact. I think I get nervous cause i'm worried that lifting up underneath him might hurt his throat, i'm also worried that he'll just suddenly snap but most of the time they'll give you a warning hiss/gape.

 

[Miss Lily]

If he is quite amenable to you and your hands, try putting one hand under him (from the front) and give his backside some encouragement with the other hand (a gentle prod may just work)! He may just climb on to your hand. Be brave! Give it a try - I doubt that he'll gape, hiss or bite you as he seems quite happy in your company. I think if I was ever to get bitten by Amy I would be very wary of after, but as you said, he's never lunged at you so I'm sure you will both be fine!

 

[Jonas]

Its just a matter of technique.

Dont grab the animal. I usually put one hand somewhere in front of the chameleon, slightly under its position and hold it still. I then reach in fron the opposit side with the other hand, "scaring" it onto my first hand that I then move out of the cage.
This is done were fast and the stress is minimal.

If it is a strong eater, then you can lure it onto a hand by using a cup with food in it.

 

[Lizardlover]

My veild is probably as nasty as they get, He drawn blood from me about 7 times total with no provoking, simple things like cleaning poop, putting feeders in his cup, etc. But with the proper technique Im able to handle him when I need to on occasion, no gloves.

If you feel the need for gloves I would say a dull color so it doesnt stress out your cham, I had a pair of red scissors I prune his plants with and he fires up at them

 

[hallenhe]

My guy will usually climb on to me with little or no encouragement, supporting himself with his legs so his throat isn't at any risk. The only problem I have with him is, he's happy to give me two or three feet, then sit there indefinitely. I tell him half a lizard doesn't do me any good, but he doesn't care. (Nor does he understand English.)

 

[MNChams]

I was just trying to search for the subject of biting when I found this thread...I must have missed it yesterday when posted. I have a 4 month old panther male who won't let me anywhere near him. He hisses, puffs up, bites at me, etc. I know all the approach techniques and handling videos but here is my question.... What's it like to get bit by the panthers? Will he break my skin? How bad do they hurt?? I've never been bitten so I'm just trying to prepare myself! I want to avoid the gloves but if necessary I think tan or light brown would be good.

 

[jheitz]

Plain leather work gloves work great and come in neutral colors. I would avoid vivid colors or patterns, as this could excite him. Don't fear the bite!!! It's a war medal for herps keepers world wide! The worst bite I ever had was from a 6 foot water monitor named Ernie. 12 stitches and lots of motrin, and an unforgetable learning experience!!!

 

[sandrachameleon]

What's it like to get bit by the panthers? Will he break my skin? How bad do they hurt?? I've never been bitten so I'm just trying to prepare myself!

Had an adult male bite me, hard. It hurt and left a very interesting V shaped bruise. But i didnt feel the need to cry about it (and I'm a wuss). Scale of 1 to ten it was a 3 or 4. If you're worried about it, coax it onto a stick instead of onto your hand. Or use a glove in a light neutral colour. Move really reall really slowly.

 

[Slofe]

OK, so over the past couple of days i've been somewhat bonding with Isambard . I've now gotten over the whole shaky thing I had and have begun gently stroking him under his chin, he changes to a light colour so he obviously likes it . A couple of times he's even strolled onto my hand with no encouragement from me, so it's going well.

I have another question though, when he walks onto my hand he strolls up my arm but gradually starts to slip off! I am actually thinking this is my fault because I actually bend my arm. He starts to slip off when reaches the bend in my elbow, like he doesn't realise he actually has to turn a corner So is it best to just keep my arm straight and let him walk straight up to my shoulder? This sounds like a silly question I know!

 

[JabbaThePanther]

its alright man

I actually think holding crickets and cocaroaches is scarier...

 

[Jonas]

OK, so over the past couple of days i've been somewhat bonding with Isambard . I've now gotten over the whole shaky thing I had and have begun gently stroking him under his chin, he changes to a light colour so he obviously likes it . A couple of times he's even strolled onto my hand with no encouragement from me, so it's going well.

I have another question though, when he walks onto my hand he strolls up my arm but gradually starts to slip off! I am actually thinking this is my fault because I actually bend my arm. He starts to slip off when reaches the bend in my elbow, like he doesn't realise he actually has to turn a corner So is it best to just keep my arm straight and let him walk straight up to my shoulder? This sounds like a silly question I know!

I hate to break it to you, but your chameleon does not like being inteacted with, its just not in their biology. Any deduction from your part that the chameleon likes it is faulty anthropomorphization.

The best way to not have him slip of your arm is to not have him on the arm.
There are some scientific articles that show that reptiles are stressed when handling, so having an amition to be able to interact with your chameleon is really not in its best interest. Just something to think about.

 

[Slofe]

I hate to break it to you, but your chameleon does not like being inteacted with, its just not in their biology. Any deduction from your part that the chameleon likes it is faulty anthropomorphization.

The best way to not have him slip of your arm is to not have him on the arm.
There are some scientific articles that show that reptiles are stressed when handling, so having an amition to be able to interact with your chameleon is really not in its best interest. Just something to think about.

Yeah I know that, i'm really not trying to interact with him. If you read the rest of the thread you will see that i'm moving house very soon and i'm trying to handle him now so I can get him out without stressing him too much on the day of the move. I'm also trying to do it now so I won't be too nervous when I get him out and thus stressing him more. I have hardly ever held him and I don't intend to but I have to do so when I move. One of the reasons I got a chameleon is because I know they don't really like being handled and i'm not that touchy feely with animals.

 

[Jonas]

Yeah I know that, i'm really not trying to interact with him. If you read the rest of the thread you will see that i'm moving house very soon and i'm trying to handle him now so I can get him out without stressing him too much on the day of the move. I'm also trying to do it now so I won't be too nervous when I get him out and thus stressing him more. I have hardly ever held him and I don't intend to but I have to do so when I move. One of the reasons I got a chameleon is because I know they don't really like being handled and i'm not that touchy feely with animals.

What struck my eye was the comment about "bonding" and "stroking him under his chin".

There is no logical reason to try to handle the chameleon to make it less stressful for it the few times you HAVE to handle him. The total sum of stress will only be larger that way. Just handle the cam quickly the times it is a must and you will get less stress.

 

[Slofe]

What struck my eye was the comment about "bonding" and "stroking him under his chin".

There is no logical reason to try to handle the chameleon to make it less stressful for it the few times you HAVE to handle him. The total sum of stress will only be larger that way. Just handle the cam quickly the times it is a must and you will get less stress.

Yeah I admit it did sound a bit wishy washy! What I meant was that I was simply just getting used to touching him because i've had him for nearly a year and i've barely ever touched him. I'm really not trying to bond with him in the traditional sense, although he 9/10 doesn't mind me being up close to him, doesn't mind in the sense that he doesn't puff up or hiss. The reason I said he seemed to like it is because he went light green, and has done so on the few occasions he has been on my arm, but this doesn't mean i'm going to try and take him out on a regular basis.

I was trying to make it less unnerving for me as well as him, but I do take your point.