Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an 8 month old chuck, named Dakota. Everytime I pick him up, he blows up. I try to calm him down by sitting on the couch and stritching under his chin on his head. He just wants to run away and blow up. Will he ever calm down? I just don't want to give him a heart attack.

Casey

Mine will his and do a quick tail slap at me...LOL. Once I grab him he calms down. Just relax on his favorite food, and start making him take it from you fingers. You want a treat...you be nice!

John

He does eat from my hand, he is good about that. He never tail slapped me, but has hissed at me. Little brat, LOL!!
He has a lot of nice hiding spots, so he hides from me. I check on him daily though to make sure he is fine. He seems to eat okay and has been shedding. I guess time will tell.

Casey

He has been known to PINCH his lizards, especially collareds, LMAO hahahahaha !

Not to worry, just handle your chuckwalla every day anyway, I remember I got my Chewalla at 12 weeks old, he would hide and run from me all the time.

I do not give up fast, BELIEVE me, they usually give in first, hahaha. But months went by, and still the same. I picked him up and talked to him anyway, let him squirm.

Then one day he stayed out when I was there, and when I put me hand in, as more months went by, he begin to sit nice with me, he really enjoyed coming out and walking around the room while I was taking care of other tanks/animals.

That was it, he started to hang around my feet, even sit on them as I tried to walk, I had to scadadle him off, almost pesty, LOL (But I loved it)

Now at 4 years old he's like a small doggie, so very trusting, and its so very rewarding to me,

as I feel WE EARNED each others trust.

So just hang in there, it takes time.
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PHEve/ Eve

Contact PHEve

Hi Eve,

John pinching lizards?? Yeah, he is probably pinching their cute cheeks Ha!! Ha!!

I am patient and I do keep taking him out. I know he will get over it. He is so cute. I will have to take some pics.

I love your Chewalla, he is absolutely beautiful. Is he CB or WC?

Casey