I have a lot of chameleons! I am a breeder so I need genetic diversity (I do not believe in line breeding)! All but one of my chameleons (a teenager with lots of potential) are fine being handled by anyone. I breed for character (along with health and beauty)! If he does not straighten out the teen attitude he has to go! He has mellowed out quite a bit we we will see.
I can see how some people feel that chameleonshe shoud be hands off. If however you have ever been around chameleons that are sweet and well socialized you will have a different mindset! I take some of my chameleons with me to grade school class presentations (my 12 year old and 9 year old boys do the presentations). On those days many, many hands touch my chameleons without any stress or Ill affects and without them ever lashing out at anyone!
I have to caution though, that some chameleons would not survive a experience like that! The key is selective breeding and socialization since the day they hatch!
