I purchased a panther chameleon at a reptile show, and I've had it for about two weeks. But it's afraid of me. I can understand this, but it's so small, it's about 3 inches...I'm not exactly sure. If I dont handle it, will it grow up to be a biter? How can I work on handling.it's so small, I don't want to hurt it. Thanks.
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~Julie~
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Handling....
lil_frogger2
Aug 30, 2003 08:20 PM
Replies (2)
compasscreek
Aug 30, 2003 09:40 PM
i have had the same "problem", and i sure everyone here has had as well. he sees you as a very large predator. the advise given to me is to place one hand behind him and one in front, sort of cupping him. coax him onto the hand in front of him. NEVER grab or just pick him up. you risk hurting him. once out i usually take him to another bush i have(a ficus) and let him calm down there, outside his cage and "treat" him to a couple mealies or crickets in a small cup. i have done this once or twice a week for the past 2 months since he was 3 months old and now only recently has he NOT been afraid of me.
with all this said though you should handle him as little as possible.
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compasscreek backcountry adventures
chimbakka
Sep 01, 2003 08:40 PM
I had the same problem with my panther. I don't think that you have to worry about him/her becoming a biter... I think that is more with vields. I would try to handle him as little as possible to begin with. Just mist him cage a few times per day and go in to give him food. After a while he will shy away less when you come to mist and feed. When that happens try to hand feed treats such as mealies or wax worms. Do this about 2x a week. After a few more weeks he will be used to you misting and feeding him, and will like you mroe b/c you are a source of occasional treats and not a predator. Once he is about 6 months old you can take him out once a week for a min or so. I strongly advise against taking him out unless you have to. I took mine out to measure and check over, and clean her cage (all at the same time) and that was about it. This way he won't be scared of you when you do routine things, and won't be stressed from constant handling. My panther likes me now. When I do take her out she isn't scared, and when I'm poking around i her cage to fix or clean, she doesn't mind.
