When to Start Hand Feeding?

[Escalade]

My panther cham is a little over 3 months I tried to hand feed him a mealworm yesterday but he turned around and hid in his cage. Should I take him out of his cage hold him for a bit then try to get him to eat a worm out of my hand?

Whats the right age to start hand feeding and how many mealworms a day can he have?

 

[WOLVERINES135]

I also have a 3 month old panther, i have had him for just abbout a week and I just today started hand feeding him, i gave him a week so he could adjust and not be so stressed. only feed him about 2 mealworms a week because they are high in fat and they can easily become spoiled of them (addicted so to say), but you can feed him super worms, they look the same but aare different.

 

[CauseNAffect]

I always say it, but my creatures of habit theory should apply. Any creature that is continuously exposed to something sees it as a regular and accepts it. I would say keep offerin various types offeeders, le him remain in his cage when you do it, start simple an don't overstimulate.... Be patient

Mine never accepts anything out my Hand other than crickets, keep trying

 

[emilybier]

All of my chameleons hate me and they are all at 3 and 4 months. I'm placing wax worms on a branch in front of them and then closing the cage and they come out of hiding to eat it. I figure it is a start and we can move to tongs then hands later. I'm not really clear on the best way to get them socialized either and I'm assuming none of us can free-range right now. I can't.

 

[carol5208]

My panther cham is a little over 3 months I tried to hand feed him a mealworm yesterday but he turned around and hid in his cage. Should I take him out of his cage hold him for a bit then try to get him to eat a worm out of my hand?

Whats the right age to start hand feeding and how many mealworms a day can he have?

I don't think there is a set age to start hand feeding. It is what your chameleon is comfortable with. Just keep trying everyday. You could also try using wooden tongs and extend the worm to him with the tongs. Maybe he will not feel as threatened by your hand. If he is running from your hand with food, how do you plan on picking him up? that would be more stressful for him I would think if he is skiddish of you already.

 

[gwilliams]

I hand feed my females (one veiled and one Panther) I started just by slowly putting my hand in their cage with a wax worm/silk worm/ butter worm, whatever I had on hand and they would just stare at it.... like "what the heck" - I continued to do that daily - at the same time everyday. Finally they noticed the worm moving and decided to try.... Loved it!

So now, everyday around the same time (in the evening) they pretty much see me walk by with the container of worms (I shake it a little - I swear they hear me) and the come down on a vine to the front of their cage for a little treat or two...

My males on the other hand want nothing to do with eating from my hand - instead I fashioned a little bowl and attached it to the side of the cage, they see me put the worms in there and come a'runnin'.....

It truly is just patience - I don't think holding them has anything to do with it - it's really making sure they see the worm moving in your hand..... patience, patience and more patience

Good luck!