Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone could help me. . . .I have an Ornate and he is so not friendly. Everytime I get anywhere near his cage he bolts like lightning to his hide. If I stick my hand in his cage he does the "S" dance and bolts around and doesn't want me to touch him. He did bite me once so I am a little afraid of getting bite. (Even though it didn't hurt) I was wondering what should I do to get him to come around. Should I just hold him everyday even if he hates it? He is about a yr and a few months. Any suggestions would be so much appreciated. I want him to like me!!!!

Thanks so much!
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~*~.. Nikki ..~*~

Huntington (Long Island), New York

Hi...

My personal opinion of forcing an animal to be held in the hopes that they will eventually "like" it is not to do it. Ornates are usually friendly, but I had an unfriendly male once and he never got really friendly, he just tolerated me. Go slow, spend time each day talking to him, cleaning his cage, giving him food, etc. If he is out, just lay your hand as close to him as possible and see if he will come over. With animals, it seems the best bet is to do it on their terms and hopefully with time you will earn their trust. Each animal is different and sometimes you just have to accept them as they are. Good luck.

Pam

i would not force him to like you, however i would try to figure out what is making him so scared. are the back and sides of his cage covered, if not that could be stressing him out. also try to make slow and small movements around him. like if i am sitting by my uros' cage and i stand up suddenly or something, helga will run for cover (she is a flight not a fight girl). also you can try to entice him by putting your hand near him with his favorite foods. maybe he will learn you are there to feed him and not to eat him
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

Nikki, take your time and be patient. Read this from earlier in the forum. Make sure all movement are slow and steady. Your uro doesn't know you are not a threat.

Waxworms are the treat I trained mine with. It started out with putting a waxworm on the palm of my hand and letting it wiggle. Their prey instinct drove them to explore. After awhile, when I put my hand in the cage they would run to it. Now I put my hand in the cage with nothing in it and they lick it (probably looking for worms.) I can reach down, pick them up and hold them. This has taken months. When I pick them up and hold them I always have a worm for them as a reward. Also, I don't hold them too long. Every session is a little longer.