Does he ‘like’ being handled?

[sidknee17]

Probably a very stupid question, but every time I walk into my room Pablo runs from his basking spot straight up to the glass and claws at it until I let him out... he is a very docile panther... he also hand feeds and is out of his viv around 10 mins a day to bask in natural sunlight on his ficus
is this normal behaviour? Should I just ignore him?

 

[sidknee17]

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Aw that's so cute! Mine is a baby and he doesn't do that at all lol. I've been trying to hand feed him to get him used to my hand but he's so shy... He doesn't even eat when someone is in the room. He'll wait till we leave the room to start eating.

 

[jamest0o0]

He probably wants to get out in the sun. My 3 Panthers do this as well because they know getting out means sun.

 

[sidknee17]

Aw that's so cute! Mine is a baby and he doesn't do that at all lol. I've been trying to hand feed him to get him used to my hand but he's so shy... He doesn't even eat when someone is in the room. He'll wait till we leave the room to start eating.

Awww! I guess it will take a lot of patience seeing as yours is still a baby and the babies I saw at my local pet shop hid straight away as soon as I peeked at them! So I guess that’s normal.......I think mine is a little brave as he hand fed on the first day of arrival prior to never being hand fed before so I guess I’m sort of lucky.

 

[sidknee17]

@jamest0o0 Yes, I reckon that’s the case too... at least he’s coming out for a positive incentive !

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Probably a very stupid question, but every time I walk into my room Pablo runs from his basking spot straight up to the glass and claws at it until I let him out... he is a very docile panther... he also hand feeds and is out of his viv around 10 mins a day to bask in natural sunlight on his ficus
is this normal behaviour? Should I just ignore him?

"Should you just ignore him?" We all know you are not really asking for an answer, you just want to show off the relationship you have with your cham. And I don't blame you! He obviously loves interacting with you on a level that I am totally envious of, we should all be so lucky! Ive never seen a cham move as fast as he did in that first video!

 

[sidknee17]

@Brodybreaux25 Honestly I swear I was genuinely asking!! Hahaha.... He’s my first ever cham and I just want to get everything right!sometimes I can’t keep up with him!! I had to launch my phone across the room to catch him before he got onto my head
I just get a little worried as almost every source says handling causes stress but I now doubt it in my case as he chooses to come out and hand feed etc... and it’s not like I handle him excessively

 

[andrearamirezo91]

@Brodybreaux25 Honestly I swear I was genuinely asking!! Hahaha.... He’s my first ever cham and I just want to get everything right!sometimes I can’t keep up with him!! I had to launch my phone across the room to catch him before he got onto my head
I just get a little worried as almost every source says handling causes stress but I now doubt it in my case as he chooses to come out and hand feed etc... and it’s not like I handle him excessively

I would just enjoy it, I don't think going on your arm is stressing him out since he clearly wants to! Lucky you

 

[sidknee17]

@andrearamirezo91 I feel so reassured now, thank you

 

[jamest0o0]

The word stress is overused. When we say it, we usually mean it as a bad thing, but chameleons, humans, and all animals live under stress constantly. Stress could be (as bill strand mentions) having a cold draft on you, but it could also be exercising. One being healthy and one causing illness. Stress=stimulation, good or bad. So him running up your arm is stress in a way, but it's not bad if he's choosing to do it and he can get a chance to relax. One thing about this behavior, it often means they are unsatisfied with their cage in some way. Whether it is lacking perches, too low to the ground, uncomfortable temp/humidity, etc. Some will do this in a perfect setting too though, so no worries. IME especially during summer, maybe to look for a mate. My Panthers do this and I hate handling them lol. Put them where they want to get(usually in the sun) and any interest they have for you disappears. Chams, like cats, treat us as an instrument to get what they want lol.

 

[sidknee17]

@jamesst0o0 Thank you for that interesting information i will take everything you said into consideration!
I honestly think it is down to his personality though (but I’m no cham expert!) before I bought him his breeder also noted on his relaxed and ‘quirky’ personality

If temp/humitidy was uncomfortable, would it effect his feeding or will he just hide his symptoms?

His humidity is currently 63% but I do let it drop down to around 55% and spike to 67% throughout the day.

His basking spot is 95°F and ambient 77°F... sorry I’m bombarding you with information and questions but you do seem to be very experienced and you certainly know what you’re talking about ​

 

[jamest0o0]

You seem to have everything in place. I'd get the basking down to high 80s, but that's about it. Looks like he just wants to go off exploring. A lot of Panthers do this, they'll use all the space given to them. Definitely wouldn't worry about it. Let him out if he wants out. I just mentioned the cage because many new people will come here saying their cham loves them, but then we see their set up and it's an empty cage sitting on the floor, with 1 vine, a small fake plant, and 30 seconds of handmisting a day.

 

[sidknee17]

@jamest0o0
Thank you very much for your advice I appreciate it.
I’m going to asap definitely change the wattage of his bulb to suit the required temp.
Yes I see where you’re coming from with that, such a shame

 

[Lucasthecham]

I do this and my Cham stares at my hand then back at me then back at my hand then back at me then turns around.