Friendly Chams?

plop9025

Established Member
Is there a type of cham that is not so shy? I have a veiled and he is very very shy. If I slowly walk to the cage and look at him he moves around the vines to hide and usually runs other direction. Is there any type of cham that is more friendly and also more interactive with humans?
 
By being shy and hiding away, your cham is just doing what he was programmed to do by thousands of years of evolution.

A 'friendly' cham, or a cham that is 'outgoing' wouldn't last very long in the wild...

Don't fight against their natural instincts - just appreciate your chams for the remarkably specialised and fascinating creatures that they are.
 
Is there any type of cham that is more friendly and also more interactive with humans?

Short answer is no, their not puppies. Chameleons for the most part do not like people. I do have some that will eat out of my hand in a second and a female that doesnt seem to mind me at all, but no, she still would be happier if I wasnt involved in the feeding situation.
 
If you want a lizard that will just sit on your shoulder, a bearded dragon is great - but they don't do much else with people. SOME chameleons, while not friendly, will interact with you much the same way they'd interact with conspecifics in the wild. These behaviors are as close to being outgoing as you'll see in reptiles.

On the other hand, you never know if you're going to get one of those chameleons. Melleri, the most outgoing species, is not always like that. You may have a super easy to handle chameleon that will come to you as soon as you enter the room, trying to get close to you even though it's got food in the cage.... or you might end up with an evil spotted tree-deamon that also happens to be the third largets chameleon with a massive set of jaws...

I say, if you want a friendly chameleon, do some more research. Friendly ones are great, but they're not something you can count on actually getting! Want a chameleon first, then just "hope" for being lucky and getting a non-evil one.
 
I have 4 veilds and all but one are tolerant of me. One will climb up on my hand - until I put her in a larger cage. Now she likes her home so much she isn't interested in visiting any more.

I have the one that is a super b**ch! When I open her door and put my hand in to do cage duty, she always hisses and gapes and all but falls off her branch letting me know she doesn't like me there.

So, although vields aren't friendly in general I think that each one is a little different.
 
how long have you had your veiled for? they usually warm up to you a bit once they figure out you are their provider.
 
I'm usually bullied by a pygmy... :(

Just kidding! The little guy prefers to ignore me and pretend I don't exist. Everytime I try to interact, he just runs from me like I'm the devil or something! :eek:
 
My guy isn't fussed! He doesn't react badly to me being there, but he doesn't come out to say hello either! Just goes about doing what he does! Completely ignores my hands if I'm near him! Only if there's food on them is he remotely interested!
 
One thing I got when looking into getting my first cham was in a pamphlete from the vet. Inside there a "mini quiz" and it said if you want a reptile you can handle and play with a chameleon is not for you.
 
I have a CB panther, i kiss and hug him and he still comes over to me and perches on my shoulder or head when i let him out of the cage and run around the living room when he could go anywhere else.

Id say it is mostly personality.

I put my hand in his cage and stick my finger out. If he comes over and grabs it thats cool, if he grabs it and then turns away, thats fine with me too, they just have to trust you.

The only time i force him to do something is if i have to treat him medically, or suspect something is wrong. He lets me examine him but he will fight with me when i try to open his mouth, but its not like he hates me afterwards, i give him a kiss and put him back where he was and thats just pretty much how it is with us.

on the other hand my female ambi runs from me everytime :p ive only had her for a few weeks. just give it time
 
Andrew; My cham, Luie, it allot like yours. I keep him out of the cage most of the time. He begs to come out and enjoys ridding on my head or shoulder. I also give him tons of kisses everyday. I am extremely attached to him!
 
I would have bloody lips if I tried to kiss my male panther. I used to wonder if it was me because I heard they are generally nice. It just depends on the personaity. Ive grown to like his pissyness. It shows his true wild instincts.:D
 
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