Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so i've had my veiled Chameleon Kingsley for about 6 months now from when he was just itty bitty. At first he was real nice, but now he's becoming quite the ass. I'm thinking part of it is i need to move his cage and put it up higher, but then i'm wondering what if that makes him think he's the boss even more? I'm also going to try and build him a cage, anyone have any good websites or tips for that? And secondly, and most importantly, has anyone tried positive reinforcement with their chameolon and does it work? I'm gonna go to the bait shop one of these days and get some good ole grub worms that i know he'll like. The problem is really getting him to clam down enough to eat one. But i'm wondering if once i do if it could work. Also any tips for getting him to chill out would be nice. Thanks.

Brandon

What do you mean by "positive reinforcement"?? Its impossible to tame a chameleon. They are a very higly stressed animal, and the more you try to make it friendly, the more you will harm him. I try not to ever handle my chameleons, and I just let them do their thing. Veileds are known to be a meaner specimen.
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1.1 Carpet Chameleons (Furcifer Lateralis Lateralis) - 12/05 & 01/06)
1.0 Ghost Phase Leopard Gecko - (12/15/02)
0.1 High Yellow Leopard Gecko - (06/17/02)
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko - (4/14/04)

LOL when i saw the name of this message i was LMAO!!!! Chameleons (or any herp for that matter) don't consistently respond to "treats". Chameleons aren't lizards that need or enjoy handling. They are solitary and enjoy a life style that way. Forcing him to be "tame" or "lap dog" won't work by offering treats. A constant routine will though......

The best way to train one is handling routine. If he becomes used to you than he won't be as afraid of you. Take him out once or twice a day (morining and late afternoon) and handle him as calmly as possible. Slowly reach into the cage and put your hand out with a treat further up your arm to lure him on to your arm. He may hiss/bite at you, but stand still and calm. LEt him freely crawl on your body too....

After some time(say 1 month) he should chill out a little bit, BUT dont expect him to be tame! Chameleons just aren't that type of lizard that will tolerate handling!

As for building your cage, i have attached a link below, but i think it is better if you experiment on your own. Customize the cage to what you want it to be able to do. Do you want plant holders, easy door, LARGE size, or divider going through the middle? All of these ideas are easy to do and make you a better handy man! If you plan to customize draw out a plan and take it to home depot and ask for their reccomedations. They are geniouses!
Click here to collect your iPod nano!!!!! J/k

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Eric

I'm living in a room without any view
I'm living free because the rent's never due
The synonyms of all the things that I've said
Are just the riddles that are built in my head
Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly
( Pantera: Hole in the Sky)

My veiled calmed down with age - and I've heard from others of the same thing. I did take measures to get him to hate me less, though.

Just hand fed him. My male wouldn't eat from my hand until he was close to two years old - if I remember correctly. his son is following the same path... Other bloodlines I've had ate from my hands (well, tweezers) from birth onwards.

Once he's eating from your hand, start to lure him out with food. Eventually, slip your free hand under him as he's coming towards the food in the other hand. As long as he's focused on the food, and you're careful, he won't see your other hand. He'll step on your hand, and you can pull him away. Eventually, he'll become accustomed to being on your hand. He'll still attack you if you try to reach for him (probably), but if climbs on your hand, he won't recognize it as a threat, but as a thing to perch on.

My veiled is about as evil as they come - if I try to grab him. When he's on me, he's pretty good though.