Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know everyone says that you shouldn't hole your cham. But I know alot of people do. So how many of you actually get yours out?

Thanks
Nez

Only to take them out often to get direct sunlight.
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Experience and appreciate nature's creation.

www.zenexotics.com

All chams should be checked over for problems periodically, so occasional handling is OK. I get mine out while adjusting things in the cage, to clean, to take them to an outdoor cage or to a favorite basking spot in the house. I do NOT carry the cham around on my shoulders every day just for fun for example. Most simply do not enjoy this. But, they are individuals and you will need to learn what each one tolerates. Some chams don't mind being handled for a short time every few days or so, but others would really stress out from the same thing. As almost all chams will fire up a little when picked up, it can be hard to tell what is minor reaction stress to real anxiety. How quickly your cham fires up when you open the cage, how long it stays fired up, and the amount of bluffing and aggression it shows to your hand can tell you when it simply doesn't want anything from you.

The couple times I have had mine out he just simply crawls around like a nut. Hes everywhere then he will finally pick a spot to sit for awhile(last time was on top of my friends head). But his colors dont change and when I stick my hand in the cage he jumps right on. But with that being said, I have had him out twice, once to clean the cage and once when I put him in it.

Thanks
Nez

Hi Nez,

Even if he seems OK with it now be prepared for chameleon puberty! When I got Luna at 4 months I offered my hand regularly and she usually got onto it. Once she hit about 6 months things began to change. She got a bit hissy and pissy but due to her problems with egg development where I was feeding her by hand and giving her daily calcium (liquid) she decided to tolerate me. In her 1 1/2 years with me she has made a few trips to the vet and regular trips to the shower and outdoors in the summer, so she may hiss a but has never tried to bite. I think she is an exception in that I have HAD to handle her, but frankly, I get just (maybe more!) as stressed as she does, well, let's just say I hate having to handle her when she doesn't want to be handled. There are times I will see if she will willingly come out so I can weigh her and if she agrees, fine, but if not I leave her alone.

Once sexual maturity hits you may find some changes, but as has been pointed out already, you will have to gauge things on your own.

lele & Luna
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha