Are all chams THIS way?

[UVReptiles]

Hello All.
I am no stranger to keeping reptiles, however, am rather new when it comes to chameleons. And I just had one main questions, at the moment...

Are all chams this social?? I have picked up, as my first chameleon, a lovely little male juvi veiled chameleon. He's quite the weirdo. He came thru my place of employment (one of the big chain pet stores) and immediately caught my attention with his odd behavior.

For starters - he actually seems to enjoy being handled. He did this at the store, but even more so at home. He resides in a large reptibreeze cage which he cruises daily, but when I go to open his cage he comes swiftly to me, reaching out, desperate to come out. All I have to do is extend my hand and he gladly climbs out, onto my shoulders and explores all over me. I also let him cruise the couch for a while, and he will always come over to me, and whenever a hand is extended to him he gladly steps up on it and begins to explore the person.
Its a very cute trait! He will gladly go to anyone. Even if he is propped on my shoulders and a hand gets extended to him he will gladly walk over to the person and begin to explore them. Never shows signs of stressed (unless startled) and always takes to handling just perfectly.

Also, loves to hand feed, but I do hear that this is not an uncommon trait for these guys. He'll gladly take a cricket or worm from your fingers.

But lastly, he will drink standing water from a bowl. Or when he gets his morning mistings will extend his tongue to get the water, then will walk up to the snout and drink right from it.

He's quite an amazing little cham! I can't even open his cage and do some light maintenance without him climbing out on me.

Are they all like this?? OR is my little guy a bit special?
Just curious. Thought I'd ask the more experienced keepers... Thanks guys!
Charlotte
UltraViolet Reptiles

 

[squeekz1992]

He sounds very special I had a veiled as my first cham and he loved everybody---until he hit puberty. Then everybody but me could jump off a cliff Lol.

Whatever your doing, keep it up. My panther is that friendly, he loves to be out and the center of attention

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello and welcome You lucky, lucky girl......My Veileds are both very tolerant of me, only sometimes trying to hide. My female has been doing a bit of wandering lately, climbing the curtain to look out of the window. It gets quite cold there, so she's grumpy when I have to take her off, I've even been hissed at a little bit recently........
There are a few 'friendly' Veileds around, it partly depends on how much (and how sensibly) they are handled as babies. I think there are more recently because of the success of captive breeding so a genetic thing as well. The most unusual thing is probably drinking from a bowl but my first Cham did that a bit too.
Either way, he sounds like a joy - do you have pictures?
Here is a great basic caresheet I always recommend to new people with Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[UVReptiles]

I have a few pictures. =)
- when he's happy and active (most of the time) he's lime and mint green.
- when he gets a little startled his turquois freckles come out. And its adorable.
- when he's basking all flat and being what I call " solar panel cham " flattening himself out exposing himself to his lights, he has very earthy mossy greens/browns.

Amazing little creature!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Yeah, that's what they do He's great looking too, I forgot to ask - what's his name?

 

[maxttu]

Sounds like you got a special one! Your kid (the human) is cute as a button!

 

[UVReptiles]

His name is Salvador. LOL =)
And thanks for the comments on my daughter! She's grown up with reptiles her whole life now and is enjoying the chameleon (under TOTAL supervision that is) and even educating her friends.
She has a pet Uromastyx, Spikey. And I breed carpet pythons so shes been around the serpents as well.
I have more pics of her and our Yemen, Salvador that I should post sometime soon.

 

[MeAndBean]

That is so cute!

 

[CLP]

He looks great and very healthy. You're obviously doing a great job with him. You're lucky to have one so friendly. Mine both tolerate me and will eat out of my hand, but look at me like "yeah, not likely" when I try to get them to climb onto my hand

 

[deadhd5]

It sounds like you have a very special chameleon to me!

 

[carol5208]

Alot of people on here have very friendly chams but as a rule it is not the norm. So consider yourself lucky and enjoy him. I agree with the others..your daughter is adorable!!!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Sweet , and Lol at Spikey the Uromastyx

 

[creddjobs]

Mine if pretty friendly, but i think you got something special!!!!

 

[Beckie]

I really hope I'm as lucky as you. My little man runs to the front and enjoys being held ATM and I'm hoping it will stick but I'm not putting any money on it yet.

 

[spawn]

No, it is not the norm. Also, I'm not sure what clued you into the emotions of your chameleon (look up: reptile brains), but chameleons in general are solitary creatures.

 

[chamerina]

Looks like you got really lucky with Salvador! I'm sure there many jealous of you. And your daughter and Salvador make the cutest buddies!

 

[MollyT]

You are so lucky! I have a highly agressive 5 month old male veiled. I can't imagine him EVER wanting to hang out with me! haha They are so much fun, though. Your little girl is aodrable!! So cool that she has her own uromastyx! My daughter wants a beardie.