Ah, To Handle or not To Handle!!!

So, there has been so much debate on this forum about whether to handle your chameleon or not. I have read: "Don't handle unless you have to, don't put in high traffic area, don't put in another room with other pets, and the list goes on and on. Well, I for one do all these "dont's"!!! Does handling and contact really effect your chameleon's health? Well, my thoughts are this: There has been no concrete evidence or proof that handling your chameleon will shorten its lifespan. If there is, then I would love to see it! It would be an awesome experiment though now wouldn't it!? Take two chameleons of the same age, handle one on a regular basis and leave the other one to a basic solitary existence with no interaction. So, would we find out that one would live much longer than the other? Does stress really kill????? They say it is so in humans, but does anyone really know for sure? I do believe that all animals have a predisposition when born and some are nicer than others. Just like us humans!! Can you change a personality? Well, maybe not change, but somewhat alter by interaction: Most definitely!! But as always, there are going to be exceptions. As quoted by Kammerflage Kreations, these amazing creatures are "living pieces of art" but that does not mean we just have to sit there and stare at them in awe!!! If your chameleon is approachable and ok with it, then I say....happy handling!!!!