Do all chameleons like head being rubbed?

[Beardeddragoncheese]

Im not sure if chameleons like it or not but my veiled chameleon rango puts his head higher when i rub him between the eyes and the crest. He seems to want more when i stop. Anyone elses like being rubbed?

 

[leedragon]

Im not sure if chameleons like it or not but my veiled chameleon rango puts his head higher when i rub him between the eyes and the crest. He seems to want more when i stop. Anyone elses like being rubbed?

or maybe thats his way of telling you to stop?

 

[Psychobunny]

I pet mine under the chin, and when they are in the mood, they seem to like
it, close their eyes like they are enjoying it.
But it may be that they are only tolerating it, and holding still because they
are afraid to move.
It's hard to tell, so I don't over do it.

 

[Saldarya]

Those reactions, closing eyes, lifting head, etc... are all defensive mechanisms.

Especially in the case of the eyes closing. It is their way of saying "if I close my eyes, maybe it will think I am dead and go away".

There was some research done a while back, specifically in Iguanas, that went through these types of things. Most reptiles dont have the ability to run away quickly, especially when they are in our confines, so they have a number of of these defense mechanisms.

I am sure that if one searched enough for it, you coudl find plenty of info about it.

To be clear to all, these responses are another example of us applying our human emotions and proclivities onto these animals. "When I feel relaxed I close my eyes and enjoy", this must be the case for my chameleon as well.

All the time they are terrified of it.

 

[werecat]

I agree with Saldarya. I think it's easy, us being mammals, to assume all animals like to be touched. After all, touch is integral to human (and other mammal) development and well-being. However, reptiles are a totally different creature. Chameleons especially are typically very asocial and so in nature rarely if ever are touched by another animal and not eaten.

I've tried the chin rub on my chameleon and he normally flinches a little when I first touch him. I think most, if not all chams don't enjoy touch but merely tolerate it.

 

[Psychobunny]

Those reactions, closing eyes, lifting head, etc... are all defensive mechanisms.

Especially in the case of the eyes closing. It is their way of saying "if I close my eyes, maybe it will think I am dead and go away".

There was some research done a while back, specifically in Iguanas, that went through these types of things. Most reptiles dont have the ability to run away quickly, especially when they are in our confines, so they have a number of of these defense mechanisms.

I am sure that if one searched enough for it, you coudl find plenty of info about it.

To be clear to all, these responses are another example of us applying our human emotions and proclivities onto these animals. "When I feel relaxed I close my eyes and enjoy", this must be the case for my chameleon as well.

All the time they are terrified of it.

Could you please post some links to the evidence to support your claims aside from iguanas?
I would love to read it.