How to Hold Chameleons

Chameleon pets require specialized housing and a great deal of care. While chameleons are fascinating to watch, they are certainly not hands-on pets. In general, avoid handling chameleons except when absolutely necessary. If you do need to hold one, take your time and be as gentle as possible. Handling is highly stressful to them, especially if you rush in and try to pull the chameleon out of its cage. Careless handling can cause enough of a shock to kill your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Live food
  • Long-sleeved top
  • Gardening gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Accustom the chameleon to your presence by occasional hand-feeding. Place a food item in the palm of your hand. Hold your hand about a foot away from the chameleon until it takes the food. If the food insect escapes from your hand, simply withdraw, let the chameleon catch the insect in its own time, and repeat the process at the next feeding time. Start the hand-feeding shortly after you acquire your chameleon.

    • 2

      Put on a long-sleeved top and gardening or cotton gloves to avoid scratches.

    • 3

      Place your hand in front of the chameleon and wait for it to crawl onto your arm. Being arboreal animals, chameleons have a good grip and there is little danger of your lizard falling off.

    • 4

      Keep your other hand near the chameleon, just in case it starts to fall or scramble very rapidly, but do not take hold of it. Walk to wherever you plan to place the chameleon, such as a new cage.

    • 5

      Let the chameleon crawl off your arm onto a branch in the new site.