Newbie looking for advice

[Denbykins]

Hi everyone,
I've been lurking around the forum for a while now before finally registering yesterday. I first thought about getting a chameleon a little over a year ago but after a lot of research I thought it would be better to start off with something a little easier as it would be my first reptile. So instead I got a Bearded Dragon and have been happily raising him for the past year. I've decided that now, with a little more experience I'm ready to get my first chameleon. Today I went to a pet store that I had seen a Juvenile male veiled at last week and was thinking of getting him. When the guy unzipped the screen to get him out he ran away, turned almost black and was hissing in the back of the enclosure. I know that they really don't care to be held or bothered but I have to admit I was a little shocked at such a reaction from the little guy. The guy at the store asked me if I wanted to hold the Panther in the next cage, that he was friendly. When he opened the door and put his hand out the Panther crawled onto his hand. He then came onto my hand climbing from finger to finger before trying to climb up my arm. He didn't seem to be stressed at all, he seemed quite content to explore. He was such a sweet little guy I completely fell for him. I had planned on getting a veiled so most of the reading I had done was on them, but now I'm not so sure. I guess after all my rambling I'm wondering if Panthers are normally more easygoing or is it just that this little guy is a sweetie? Is it uncommon to find a chameleon that is so friendly?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Julirs]

It really depends on the animal. It is normally said that Panthers are more easy going and Veileds have attitudes, but I have a super easy-going Veiled and a meaner than anything Panther.

 

[Docility]

if it is the same at my store you get new people in and they think they know how to handle animals, and the first thing i see them do is reach, and grab it from the top and piss it off. I correct them very soon after if not in the midst of the act, because i cant stand unproper husbandry of anything. Especially when it comes to things that can die from stress easily. So im going to assume someone mishandled him along the line, or her. since she went solid black i would think her, but thats not a finite, or even a correct way to sex them. just a trend i have seen.

for what its worth my Veiled is pretty easy going, but i would love a pair of jacksons just my preference, but i love my boy too!

 

[Denbykins]

Thanks Julirs, I guess it really does depend on the individual chameleon. This little guy was just so sweet I'm already thinking of when i could get back out there to pick him up
Thanks Docility, After the guy at the store tried to get the veiled out he asked me if I wanted to try. I declined, I think that the veiled was making it quite clear that he didn't want to be bothered, I would hate to add any more stress to him when he was already so upset. Thanks for the advice.