aggressive baby

my 6 week old male chameleon is already gaping and hissing at me and biting me. what should i do?

forgot to mention its a veiled chameleon

Howdy,

If your question is directed at finding a solution to his hissing and gaping, its my understanding that there really isn't much that you can do except keep your husbandry top notch and wait it out - years if ever. His temperment may mellow and then again may not. Veileds are know to be just like you have described. My two Veileds tolerate me with some hissing and some gaping when I have to move them. They are about 2+ year and 5+ year old males. But, on the otherhand, from time-to-time, the 2yr old will actually approach the enclosure door and walk out on my hand. I think this is his way of saying take me to my outside enclosure for a dose of sunshine! Or it's "Get me the hell outta here!" "I'll even tolerate having to touch you, just get me out!" Hang in there and consider this just part of the "Veiled chameleon experience".

I guess Ive been lucky with my veileds and they are not agressive and rarely hiss but they do gape at me if I handle them for too long.

well.....my veiled is like a miniature T-Rex.... hissing and gaping...sometimes biting me.... to let the used to your hands... i try to hand fed them.... sooner or later...they will be ok with you... and less hissing and gaping!!...good luck