Chameleons are a very shy animal and do not like being handled. Luckly I have 3 other reptiles that I can handle, also my veiled cham does not like to be handled so it is nearly impossible to handle him. I suggest a reptile tha is okay with being handled like a leopard gecko or a bearded dragon. I have kept reptiles for 5 years and I am still learning about new things about them

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1.0 Veiled Chameleon 0.1 Leopard Gecko 1.0 Crested Gecko 0.0.1 Argentine tegu

You want something that likes to be held all the time & money is no object. Then get a parrot. They love to held. They are inteligent and very entertaining.

Parrots are expensive...

Anyway's, you should get a chameleon, you wont regret it. Even though youre not supposed to handle them, I do. I dont "play" with him though... I just sit down and kind of talk to him. Haha, Zap'z is small but he's anything but shy, he loves getting out of his cage. Chameleons are awesome and photogenic.

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*I JUST WANNA CELEBRATE!!!*

You will love a chameleon and yes they are alot of work but its soooo worth it. In the case of handling I handle mine alot usually multiple times per day but that isnt because I get him out he just comes out to me. My cage is hanging on the wall above my bed and I open it up sometimes when it goes to the bottom and hell come out and walk up my back or hand. In general chameleons are very handlable but if you work at it and give them time by hand feeding and luring them onto your hand with a treat alot od the time they will be alot more sociable. Just dont force anything it all depends on you and your chameleon.

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DDB~ 1.0 Ambilobe ~

Its seeming like Ill have better luck at getting a bearded dragon to be social than a chameleon. Thanks again guys, your helping a lot.

I would say that if you really want a chameleon, you should do your research on husbandry and get one. That being said, if you do end up getting a chameleon that doesn't tolerate being held as much as you want, you need to love and take care of it just the same as you would a chameleon that does. I wouldn't advise getting a chameleon from a pet store. They are mostly in bad shape and just not a good idea. The site sponsors are a great place to look for care sheets and chameleons for sale.

If you do end up looking at bearded dragons/leopard geckos more, I have had both and they are both a lot easier to care for than chameleons and neither has tried to bite me since I've had them.

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~Kelsey---1.0 Ambilobe

im not trying to deter you in any way i was simply stating the harsh facts. chams are amazing weather they are sweet and sociable or downright mean. do research and dont jump into it. find some local people who have various species and figure out what apecies your most interested in. then reasearch till you could past a test for them if required. then you will be ready

i think that this sums it up well.

IMO some chams are friendly by nature and some arnt with no way of knowing what ur gona get.
I do believe some can be trained but if u want to be handling it alot then i wouldnt suggest a cham.

i think that this sums it up well.

IMO some chams are friendly by nature and some arnt with no way of knowing what ur gona get.
I do believe some can be trained but if u want to be handling it alot then i wouldnt suggest a cham.

I have Both a bearded dragon and a chameleon so ill put my 2 cents in.


My chameleon will not tolerate handling and I only handle him when i need to inspect him, to clean the cage, and to go out to get sun. Other then that, he is an observational animal, not an interactive one. It is only on a rare occasion that you will find a chameleon that will tolerate handling, and even RARER that a chameleon would enjoy handling.

So ask yourself, what is the most probable situation you will be in if you purchase a chameleon, not the "maybe ill be one of the lucky ones." Most likley you will have a solitary, non-tolerant chameleon. Will that be ok with you? will you still enjoy and provide care to that animal if that is the case, or will you get bored and neglect it.

NOW

My bearded dragon i hand feed OUT of his cage, I did this since he was young and now he can roam around my room, be handled by anyone, is absolutely always calm.

Q. Is he fast?
A. Only if startled and handled incorrectly, or chasing down a cricket. Most of the time my beardie is super lazy and a "lap lizard"

Q. Does he get big?
A. Only a bit bigger than most chameleons, the enclosure will be larg, but no larger then a chameleons enclosure only lengthwise.

Q. Are they aggressive?
A. I have never met an aggressive bearded dragon, they are a docile calm creature by nature, but lack of handling and socialization, especially in the form of food, can cause an aggressive adult beardie.


In my honest opionion, it sounds like what you want fits the description of a bearded dragon. If this is your FIRST reptile the YOU are taking sole responsibility for, a chameleon is not the best choice and not forgiving of husbandry mistakes, where as a beardie dragon is a perfect beginner reptile.

Get a bearded dragon : P