Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my baby vieled for 3 days now. The first day I had him, he didn't like to be handled or touched. The second day, I didn't touch him at all. But everytime I opened his cage he would run away. Today I picked him out of his cage to take him outside. First of all, he did not want to come out of his cage. I thought chameleons were slow and lethargic, but mine can really move when he wants to. Then when I picked him out of his cage and put him on my hand, he sat still and began to puff up. After a couple of seconds he returned back to normal size and started to climb my left arm. He was getting pretty high up almost to my shoulder so I reached over to him with my right hand and he started running! He is scared of my hands I think. I feel horrible. Is this normal for a baby chameleon? I think that I may be to eager to handle him, but I only took him out of his cage 2 times. Is there a way that I can hand feed him some nice fruits? Veiled chameleons being omnivorous, what kinds of fruits and vegetables do they enjoy to eat? I hear that strawberries are good, and bananas are really bad. Bananas = constipation. The last thing I want is a constipated chameleon.
Also, I was thinking about getting the Zoo Med Habba misting thingy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning one of these? Does it actually have to be inside the screened cage or can it work from the outside spraying in?
Lastly, how can I make my chameleon not scared of me? Hand feeding it treats is the only thing I can think of. Give me a reply! Thanks.
Oh, and read my post about Jonas and his feeding a runt baby veiled chameleon to his monster Panther cham. I think I make a pretty good point. Thanks.

Chameleons are not animals that enjoy handling by nature. If he is showing clear signs of not wanting to be handled, forcing him to be will just stress him out and stress is very bad. You said that you picked him out of the cage... do you mean that you pulled him off a branch? If so, this is very very very bad for them. It can cause lifelong problems. The best way to get him not afraid of you is to let him see you putting his food in and leaving him alone. You're so much bigger than him and he sees you as a big giant predator. I know it's very tempting to handle them, but if you let him be for a week or so, he might calm down and come to you. Sorry if I sound harsh...I know you'll make a good owner, it's good that you're asking. Oh, I don't really like the HabbaMist system. It's loud and doesn't actually mist. The water is not under pressure, just pushed through the pipes. Other might like it, but I personaly think that a handpump mister works great. Most lawn care stores have them, they're like those big ones with the wand, but handheld. Water comes out in a very fine mist.

Umm...I didn't exactly take him off the tree. He was clinging on the cage and I stuck my finger out. Then he came onto my finger, but as soon as I moved he tried to get off. So no-go on the Habba Mister? The only problem is that I might not be able to be here all the time when his cage needs to be misted. Is there another alternative to the Habba Mister? I basically need something that is automatic and set on a timer. Also, am I mistaken that vieled chameleons do not like fruits? If anyone knows what kind of vegetation and fruits vieled chameleons like, I think he might be happier if I gave him something besides crickets for once. Also, what other types of insects to chameleons see as treats? I think superworms are the ones that have hardly any nutritional value and are completely made out of fat. Or I might be mistaken for a different kind of worm. Thanks.

Don't expect him to be really friendly. He's a baby still. The simplest way to teach a cham that you are not a threat is to keep your activity around the cage to a regular routine, put lights on timers, feed and spray at the same times, etc. to help him settle into a pattern. Chams hate change and are more comfortable with routines. Offer treats by hand. As for veggies/fruits, most veileds don't show much interest until they are older. Offer them but don't expect much interest yet. Depending on how much you want to spend on a misting system there are options. Lots of keepers use porch misters or lawn sprinkler timers, but a really good misting system is the RainMaker or RainMaker Jr. from Ecologic Technologies. I have one and love it!

after reading your post before this one... i have come to tell you this..

You just got this cham, it is very young.. leave him alone for a week and then try handling him. he is new to hid home and his surroundings. may be even a little frightened.. let him be for a week with proper car and attention (not to much) and im sure you'll be happy with the out come. try not to stress so much, im sure if you do this he will learn to enjoy your handling..

whenever i get a new cham that young i always let him be for a week before i tak him outside and everything.. hope this helps
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"Master Shake" CARE & SETUP INFORMATION
4 Month Old Ambanja Panther Chameleon < Male >

Ocala Florida

--24 x 24 x 48 -- All screen Enclosure
--Pesticide-Free 3' Potted Ficus Tree.
--RepCal with D-3 Twice a Week
--Mineral Twice a Week
--16" UVB 5.0 Bulb (Waiting on a 10.0)
--100 Watt Basking Bulb
--Mr. Moisture Stystem - 3 Times a Day with Distilled Water
--Digital Timer On Lights 8:00AM - 8:00PM
--Digital Thermometer/Humidity Indicator
--55%-65% Humidity
--78*-87* Room Temp.
--95* Basking Temp.
--Eating 3/4" Crickets and Large Houseflys
--Gets to go out in his outdoor enclosure often to enjoy some Florida sun =)

XxKRYMZxX @aol.com - Im always willing to chat about Chameleons