Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all, I was recently here asking about my Veiled's behavior patterns since she used to be a sweetheart and turned really nasty the past month. She's still been going at it, and although I've never been bitten by her she's swiped a few times and turns a really dark color if I reach my hand in for anything.

I just wanted to run this by here and see if anyone's had any similar experiences, since today something different happened. =)
I absolutely had to take her out today so that I could replace her hibiscus plant (she ate the previous to twigs) and clean her cage. I finally got up the courage to put on gloves and make her climb onto my hand, something she hadn't done for two months.
So it went as normal, she turned a dark color, puffed up and striked at my hand...but she never clamped down on my finger. Instead, realizing that I wasn't going to retract my hand this time, she turned green and ran around the cage. When I finally got her on my hand she stayed green the entire time, which I found strange.
She's a happy camper now with her new plant and I gave her a wax worm as a treat since I feel like I traumatized her today, heh.
Any wise information on what happened?

This is just my opionion, I tend to go against what most people belief in not handling them. I'm going to guess and say she is about 4 to 8 months of age. Around that time their adult personality begins to show and they sometimes get a lot more aggressive. Which is normal. I would continue to put your hands near her and try to get her to climb onto your hand. She will eventually accept you coming around once she realizes that you do not intend her any harm. She may not ever stop hissing or swiping at you but if you persist, you have a much better chance of handling her when she is older.

I handle most of my Chameleons, except for the few that just completely convince me that they never want anything to do with it. These are the ones that aren't faking whem they strike at you. Your girl is just batting at you hand, she's not really trying to bite you. Some day you might have to take her to the vet. The vet is going to handle them in a manner that they will consider rough. If they have never been handled before they might completely freak. I think it is best to prepare them for that before that time.

I have a huge male Veiled, 22 inches long. When he was young he was so nasty I named him Osirus. Once he grew up he really mellowed out and I can handle him easily now. So I changed his name to Big O. Keep handling her and she may decide she doesn't mind you so much. Good luck with her.

Ah thanks for the advice! And yes, she's around 5 months if that right now, and she's doubled in size the past few months.
I've been trying to follow advice from sandrachameleon too and associate good things like treat worms with my hand.
Big O sounds amazing though, must be nice to have such a big guy be used to you.
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Leos: Tubby, Toko (rip: Tetra)
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