Handling questions. Please read and reply :)

[vladdimir26]

Planning on getting a veiled chameleon for christmas or either a bearded dragon. i REALLY REALLY REALLY want a chameleon since I was 8 years old (I'm 16 now) and now it is finally possible to get one in the world. Sadly, I heard they are not handling pets and this just shattered me to pieces. I was planning on handling him or at least taking him out of his cage and letting him roam around in the house plants, or outside with my undivided attention for some nice healthy sun light! I was wondering if I get him as a juvenile or baby chameleon they could maybe get "tamed" or at least tolerate interaction with humans. I heard they were docile to humans and that kind of put my hopes up. I like beardies but chameleons have been one of my favorite reptiles. Please reply and let me know. thanks P.S I already learned everything about taking care but feel free to leave me any tips for my cute little friends. Thanks

 

[snipeusa14]

You can handle your chameleons once a day(what I do) and you can let him roam! It called free ranging! Get a group of nice big trees like umbrella tree or ficus then add some pothos and biovines and the required lighting an there you go! He roams but make sure the room is chameleon safe outlets covered and possible way he can get out of the room is blocked I do this with one of my chameleons and he lives being handle.

Hope this helps..
Chris

 

[madden]

I have a panther chameleon, a bearded dragon, and had a veiled when I was younger, and I can 100% say that if you want a pet that is always willing to come sit with you Or enjoy handling, a bearded dragon is the way to go. Chameleons are wonderful pets in their own right, and many of them tolerate handling pretty well, but some seem to dislike human interaction more than others. A lot of people do let their chameleons free range a bit (Or a lot) on houseplants and the like though, so as long as you don't need a pet that really enjoys handling, and would be content to watch him go about his business without harassing him too much, a veiled chameleon can make an awesome, beautiful, and interesting pet.

 

[Sticktongue]

You're right. There are generally are look but dont touch animal. Their are a few people on this forum with very friendly chameleons, but dont count on it. They dont really get tamed. They just are what they are and all have different personality's. If you want something you can handle often i would go with a bearded for sure. Veileds (from what i hear) usually have quite the attitude.

 

[ChamomilleCame]

Well, this is a hard question to answer because chameleons are all different. Since they are antisocial animals, they dont like it when people handle them. Sometimes it even depends on the cham. Some chams will hiss at you or maybe even bite you if you dont leave him alone, are bothering it, etc. Some, when you put your hand to handle them they look at you like "dude, what are you doing?" and walk away. Some will get on your hand when they please. It all depends really. Bottom line- they are not to handle daily (or pretty much handle at all) because it stresses them out a lot and could be fatal. only handle them when needed

 

[madden]

Personally I love both chams and beardies, for different reasons. Chameleons are the most interesting creatures in the world imho, and are fascinating to just observe, but beardies are sweet tempered and docile, every morning after misting my chameleon, I hand feed my bearded dragon fruits and veggies and let him come out and play, so I get the best of both worlds

 

[danibug23]

if you are wanting a pet that will hang out with you all day let them pick them up whenever or etc your going to want to go with the beardie. most chameleons do not like to be touched two my mine do not even want me near their cage.

 

[ChameleonNerd]

chameleons are individuals, they all have different tempers. my female veiled can be a raging bitch, and other times she is down to just chill on my hand or shoulder. she even sometimes sits on my knee or leg while i play bass

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

and yet, I have 4 chams that drive me nuts at times, because they all want out, all the time. They reluctantly go to free range, but it takes some persuading to get them off me. they would rather hang on my shoulder than be in their cage. I personally have not seen any side effects, stress or death from handling mine. all but one are over a year old.

 

[lindawaz]

My beardies when they want to come out and they do. They tap their door when I am in the room.
(they are housed separate and come out separate)

I can take them out and they hang out with me. they roam the floor will come up the couch . They will sleep on the couch in the sun. I have a ramp that leads to their viv and they go back when they are done with me. The watch me clean their home. could care less if I shift things around. Tolerate more on their heating requirments- don't stress over the little things

My Cham is very sweet has only been prissy when she was ready to lay.
She does not ask to come out. She tolerates me cleaning her cage.
I take her out every couple of days just to keep her use to me. But she is awesome to just watch in her cage! She is also more fragile in her husbandry.More sensitive to change. Stresses out more easily.

My suggestion for what you say you want to do with your reptile is get a beardie. You will have more fun playing and cuddling them. They also have a longer life span.

Good luck in your choice

 

[JackP308]

I think its all up to the exact chameleon. I don't believe you can train them just because you have them young. I have young ones I raised that hate me and WC adults eager to hang out ,catch a ride, or eat bugs all day from your hand. I don't have luck with veiled being friendly though. My adult male panthers are awesome with great attitude.

 

[jannb]

I handel my chameleons every day. Some of them reach and grab for me when I walk by their trees just hoping I'll pick them up and carry them around. I believe it's all about how you treat your chsm. I treat mine with nothing but love and respect. I give them the very best care that I possibly can and they are all happy and trust me completely. I free range all of them and they don't get territorial like some of them do when caged. You can see how my chams live here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/some-free-ranges-66598/

 

[Hoj]

i have some very friendly chams that love to come out and say hello and i have others who just would rather i never looked at em... heck one even hangs out with my dog