Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How in the world do you get these guys to be more tame? I have an 8 month old Sambava Panther, and he has a bad attitude. If I try to handle him to clean his cage etc. He hisses and bites. I can get him to eat superworms from my hand(He loves them), but other then that he his just plain surley. Any suggestions?

I have a year old sambava male and he is really nice. They have different temperments. Try and come from underneath when you try to hold him as it isn't as threatening as when you come from the top.
Hope this helps a little
Stevie

You may also want to try not looking him directly in the eye. Reptiles (and most other animals) consider this a threatening gesture. I know it sounds weird, but give it a try. The idea is to be as "submissive" as possible so he doesn't feel threatened.

My veiled was the same way. One trick you might use to get him used to handling is to lure him out onto your hand. I would hold a cricket in one hand and get his attention, then would pull it slowly away from him and put my other hand underneath his eyesight as kind of a bridge between the cricket and the branch he was on, so he would have to climb onto it to get to his snack. Then I would just hold him for a while and place him back in his cage.

Hope it helps!

Erin

Thanks for the tips everyone! I will keep the faith that we someday will be buddies.LOL