Chameleon intelligence

[broderp]

Ok, so I don't expect them to "fetch" or "sit", but has there been any studies or reports on the intelligence of these animals? Where do they sit on the scale along side other animals such as birds and other reptiles?

What is the most anyone can expect from them? Are they just animals that behave 100% on instinct and nothing else? It would be somewhat sad if these amazing little reptiles where nothing more than instinct, with no capacity for learned behavior, preference or self fulfilled contentedness.

 

[kinyonga]

They can recognize a feeding container.
I've had several chameleons figure out how to open the cage doors.
They seem to recognize me as a safe "tree" to sit on.
Is that intelligence??

You might want to read these threads...just for fun...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/intelligence-in-chameleons.7446/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-smart-are-chams.32352/

 

[Andee]

It my opinion there is intelligence in chams, especially compared to certain other reptiles I have kept. I also have certain chams I have kept who I view as far more intelligent than my other chams. It's not even like she likes me more, in fact she would be just fine if I never existed as long as she could eat and drink. But I also have Ryker who enjoyed my company when he was aware of me. Hope is just like... feed and go away human... XD

 

[broderp]

They can recognize a feeding container.
I've had several chameleons figure out how to open the cage doors.
They seem to recognize me as a safe "tree" to sit on.
Is that intelligence??

You might want to read these threads...just for fun...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/intelligence-in-chameleons.7446/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-smart-are-chams.32352/

I will definitely read those threads. Thanks! You raise a good point. The feeding container. My old Cham would run, not walk, as soon as he saw the feeder cup come out and into his view. My new panther was scared of the new feeder trough I made, but the next day went to it once he realized it had food in it. As I type this he's driving me nuts because he's eyeballing teh crickets, I know he's going to feed, but will try to do it so I can't see him...lol

It my opinion there is intelligence in chams, especially compared to certain other reptiles I have kept. I also have certain chams I have kept who I view as far more intelligent than my other chams. It's not even like she likes me more, in fact she would be just fine if I never existed as long as she could eat and drink. But I also have Ryker who enjoyed my company when he was aware of me. Hope is just like... feed and go away human... XD

I agree. I found other posts where others will just say that its learned responce and it's US teh owners projecting the human qualities onto them. I disagree with that school of thought, based on the actions yo yourself are seeing.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Ok, so I don't expect them to "fetch" or "sit", but has there been any studies or reports on the intelligence of these animals? Where do they sit on the scale along side other animals such as birds and other reptiles?

What is the most anyone can expect from them? Are they just animals that behave 100% on instinct and nothing else? It would be somewhat sad if these amazing little reptiles where nothing more than instinct, with no capacity for learned behavior, preference or self fulfilled contentedness.

You can train bacteria, so everything learns.

 

[maryanne27]

You can train bacteria, so everything learns.

This cracked me up more than it should have!

 

[Turkenheimer]

I think they do because sometimes my Cham will hold my hand. but that is just a matter of opinion

 

[Andee]

In my opinion, I don't think it's the fact that they aren't smart enough to be taught, it's that we don't have anything really they want enough. They are similar to cats in the way they do best with teaching them a behavior that's already slightly there in that single chameleon.but honestly chameleons rule us, we can't really train them if they don't want to be trained.

 

[jannb]

I find my chameleons to be intellengent. I spend allot of time with them and they know the routine. They know to scratch at the sliding door that goes outside. They know where we keep the bugs. They recognize their feeder cups and bowels. They reconize and reach and grab for me, my husband, my neighbor and my daughter when we walk by one of their condos. The boys also will scratch at the door of the room my girl is in. Chameleons know how to hunt. They know how to get under under the basking light when they want heat and how to get under the UVB light if they want UV. Also when they are outside they scrouch down and hide when a bird flys over. I make think of more later.