Do Chameleons possess the ability to recognize their owner?

[Bush baby]

Since Chameleons are visual based animals, and communicate via visual cues, color, etc, is it possible that they may also learn to recognize a person who frequently feeds them, etc by that persons visual attributes, i.e color of their skin, height, etc...and know that that person is not a threat?

This dawned on me with my Jackson's who allows me to handle him, feeds/drinks in front of me with no fear, however when any other family member gets into view he displays a stress/ defensive coloration and posture....

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Mine does! They react differently to every family member in the house!

 

[Scottsquatch]

For sure they do. They tend to get used to those who maintain their cages and feed them. My ambanja, comes running to see me as he has learned that I am the ONLY one who gives him food.

 

[MSMorgan]

I know Lucky recognizes me as "the feeder."

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Not question about it, they can recognize their owner and differentiate the owner from other people...

 

[JoshD49]

Mine seems to be getting used to me as the person who brings the food but doesn't care much for the rest of the family.

 

[SharpShooter]

No doubt at all! My son is a 'mini me' and Bob doesn't bother with him but when I walk in the room, he's like an exited puppy. There's no doubt that we have a cham that loves to interact with us at every opportunity. His favourite vine is..... well frankly.... me!

 

[JoshD49]

I hope I have a good relationship with mine one day. Like I said he has gotten better so its trending in the right direction. Haha. I try to make every time I pick him up a good thing like outside time or a hornworm. Sometimes both.

 

[Robyn.lux]

I should think so. My cham is okay with me, when I am watching him (he doesnt like to be handled at all). But if someone else puts their face to his enclosure to look he puffs up at them. They're so great. I wonder if they wow at our ability to change colour every day (clothing) hahaha.

 

[Mawtyplant]

Since the visual cortex is probably the bigger part of a chameleon brain, yes! They sometime can be confuse when the owner got a new haircut or a new shirt

 

[Bush baby]

Good to know I'm not the only one who thinks they can recognize us!