How do I hold my baby jackson chameleon?

Question

I just got two baby jackson chameleons and I want to hold one of them. I know nothing about chameleons, just fyi...

So do I just let the chameleon crawl on to me? Do I stick my finger out in front of it? How does this work??

Answer 1

Chams shouldnt be handled too much due to they are easily stress and stress lead to illness and chams dont bouce back from illness and often die from diease that most reps could shrug off. the fact u dont know much about chams is clear and kinda stupid since they are for reptile experts only and chances are will die in a novices care seroiusly think about taking them back.

Things u have done wrong.

Housed them together - this causes stress which as mentioned is very bad for chams split them up asap

u have them in this plastic container thing, the kind with holes at the top - chams need alot of air flow (while remaining still humid enough for them) this is why there so hard to house u NEED and yes i do mean need as in must have a large vivarium with 2 sides made from screen mesh these are expensive and in some places hard to come buy. u also need one each. here is an example of what u need http://www.underworldproducts.co.uk/rept... . without the correct housing and environment they will die

and read this http://exoticpets.about.com/od/chameleon...

if i were u i would take them back then do the needed research and get the correct equipment then if u really must have them get them but i would go for an easier to keep animal

Answer 2

1. I wouldn't house them together for long, it stresses them out, they are territorial.

2. Since they depend on their changing colors to hide them from predators, they don't like to be handled often if at all.

3. What type of enclosure do you have them in, what are you feeding them, are you misting them? Feel free to email me

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Answer 3

Chameleons need large enclosures that allow them to crawl, hunt and climb. Even when they're babies, a nice tall and screened enclosure is good,with a lot of branches and foliage so that they don't feel exposed and stress out. You should separate them asap as Jackson's are very territorial.

I usually don't like to handle my chameleons. They're used to the presence of my hand though, and I went around that by showing and leaving my hand in still inside the enclosure, then eventually allowing them to grip and climb on to my fingers. Chameleons are better off left alone and handled very little.

Don't just 'stick' your finger in there, they'll probably gape and turn dark, letting you know that they're stressed out and intending to scare you away.

Inform yourself and research caresheets, mistakes in chameleon husbandry end usually very badly because these animals are so fragile.

http://www.skypoint.com/members/mikefry/...

Answer 4

You really need to get a screen terrarium for them so you can have a light for them otherwise they are going to be stressed out. They need a dripper to drink water out of. There are a lot of places on the internet to get care sheets on them, and if you cant get what is required for them you should have your sister take them back.