When’s the right time to start handling

[Mr. J hahaha]

Just trying to figure when I should try to handle Ragnar. I have tried to feed from my hand but he just runs away. I get even a couple feet from his enclosure he books it for the plants. Should I be trying to get him on me to get him use to me or no.

 

[jamest0o0]

I'd wait until he at least doesn't run when you're near by.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

The moment they hatch! Lol

 

[Mr. J hahaha]

Lol which one is it?

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

Just keep working on the hand feeding. That is usually the first step to handling. Sometimes you literally have to stand there for what seems like forever with the feeder in your hand until the cham finally decides to try it. That is what I had to do. When the chameleon sees the feeder, their instincts take over eventually and they will try to eat it. The more you attempt to hand-feed, the better your cham will feel about it. Are you using an energetic feeder?

 

[Mr. J hahaha]

Just keep working on the hand feeding. That is usually the first step to handling. Sometimes you literally have to stand there for what seems like forever with the feeder in your hand until the cham finally decides to try it. That is what I had to do. When the chameleon sees the feeder, their instincts take over eventually and they will try to eat it. The more you attempt to hand-feed, the better your cham will feel about it. Are you using an energetic feeder?

I use dubias and thank you

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Never. I only my chams when I need to move them. Not to just handle them.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Bottom line is there are three or four main schools of thought when it comes to handling, as you can tell by the answers from the experts above. None of them are correct and none of them are wrong. The best approach for you is determined by your cham, not you. One thing that all of these methods have in common is that your cham must trust you before any progress can be made. I totally agree with Camryn, the best way to gain their trust is with food! Always approach slowly and never put your hand above your cham. Nature has progrmmed them to panic whenever something suddenly appears above them. Your cham will dictate the pace and it is crucial you pay attention to his reaction/wishes. Months of trust building can be broken by pushing them too far too fast. It only takes one time.

 

[nightanole]

Step 1, get cham to walk out of its cage of its own free will. Either with a vine, plant, or just open screen door.
Step 2, food. Place food in said free range space to encourage exploration.
Step 3. "you" will always be near food.

And you can continue from there. Even completely tame chams do not like you putting your hand in "their" cage. So bare min is offering a cup of bug near an open cage door.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Something else to consider is, unfortunately, that some chams will never allow handling. They are just not programmed for it. Some of them will start to hide or hiss as soon as they see you and there is nothing you can do about it, you have to respect it. This is yet another reason why taking your time to build trust is so important.

 

[nightanole]

Something else to consider is, unfortunately, that some chams will never allow handling. They are just not programmed for it. Some of them will start to hide or hiss as soon as they see you and there is nothing you can do about it, you have to respect it. This is yet another reason why taking your time to build trust is so important.

Or you could just sneak up on your tank of pigmies and watch them all dead fall like some startled dead legged goats

 

[blue_cham]

I've found its all at their own pace. My nosey be just now started stepping on my hand, I went very slow with hand feeding and trust building. Took 9 months to get there, got him 3 months old. Im probably overly cautious, but I really wanted handling to be on his terms and for him to be comfortable with it. It's so rewarding! My ambilobe may never get there, but that's okay too

 

[Graves923]

After the bite I just received the other day.... I will only be handling my Veiled when necessary. Dude chomped on my finger tip and somehow left a deep enough cut I needed to have it glued closed.

Some chams just dont want to be bothered lol.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Or you could just sneak up on your tank of pigmies and watch them all dead fall like some startled dead legged goats

I pray for your children.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Some chams just dont want to be bothered lol.

Not some. Most. Like 99% of em. If you want a Cham a live a long life, you learn to appreciate them during feeding time and leave them alone the rest of the time.

 

[Laurenxduncan]

I started handling my Cham a few days after I got him so he had time to settle into the cage. However I got very lucky and my panther Cham is always wanting to come out his cage and be handled. I think the best thing to do is try to handle him but if he is stressed just leave it

 

[ToxiccKiwii]

The first day I got my Cham I tried to enjoy all the handling I could during the trip home, and final touches on his cage, because I figured after that it was gonna be a no go;

but, I carefully went to adjust something in his cage the other day and he couldn't get to my hand fast enough, crawled up my sleeve and settled down on me... then yesterday he hid and didn't want anything to do with anything, and if there's someone other than me in the room, FORGET IT !! so I guess we'll see.

It's 100% on their terms