I have been researching Panther Chams for several weeks now in hopes to have my own little guy soon. I would never buy a cham from a pet shop however I went to a well known reptile house today just to see how they have their habitats set up. The owner of the store said it is near to impossible to handle any breed of cham because they will get stressed out and die. However, after reading several threads and viewing websites it seems as if you start holding them when they are babies they become accustomed to this, especially if hand fed. Is this true? I know I would not over handle my future cham but it would be nice to take him out and hold him for a bit while feeding. Any and all advice would be appreciated since this will be my first cham. Also, does anyone recommend a breeder for an Ambilobe Panther?
Handling a Panther Cham
- Thread starter Amplov
- Start date
legacy115833
New Member
it definitely helps if you handle them as a baby i have numerous chams and the ones i got as babies are much less hand shy also i have an indoor tree that i let them hang out in for a lil while every other day or so and they really enjoy being in the tree so they dont seem to mind when i take them out to put them in it. at the same time i have certian chams that just dont want to be messed with its kinda a crapshoot but if you handle them as babies they will hopefully tolerate or even enjoy minimal handling thats jmo
hallenhe
Avid Member
You'll see a lot of back and forth on this, everything from "chams are a look and don't touch pet ONLY, and even having them where they can see humans will stress them unduly" to people who walk around the neighborhood with (apparently unstressed) chameleons on their shoulder. I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer. Chameleons have not evolved to be social animals (unlike dogs or horses, where humans can step into the role of pack or herd members); they will generally not be as social as a dog - but there are social, "friendly" chams, and dogs that hate or fear people.
Even proponents of "look, don't touch" have to handle their chameleons on occasion - cleaning the cage, taking the animal outside or, if need be, to the vet. In my experience, chameleons can learn to associate humans with good things (treats, trips outside, a warm place to sit) and not be stressed. The important thing in my opinion is to allow the animal to set the terms - it will take a chameleon a little while to get used to you, but if it becomes clear over time that he's always puffing up, putting on stress or display colors, and showing other signs of agitation whenever he's handled, that's probably a chameleon that would be better off being left alone. On the other hand, you may very well get one that will willingly climb on you for a treat.
RE indoor trees, Ficus (fig; various varieties, but the long-leafed ones tend to hold onto their leaves a bit better than the shorter-leafed ones) and Schefflera (umbrella plant) are two popular, relatively easy to come by and chameleon-safe varieties.
Even proponents of "look, don't touch" have to handle their chameleons on occasion - cleaning the cage, taking the animal outside or, if need be, to the vet. In my experience, chameleons can learn to associate humans with good things (treats, trips outside, a warm place to sit) and not be stressed. The important thing in my opinion is to allow the animal to set the terms - it will take a chameleon a little while to get used to you, but if it becomes clear over time that he's always puffing up, putting on stress or display colors, and showing other signs of agitation whenever he's handled, that's probably a chameleon that would be better off being left alone. On the other hand, you may very well get one that will willingly climb on you for a treat.
RE indoor trees, Ficus (fig; various varieties, but the long-leafed ones tend to hold onto their leaves a bit better than the shorter-leafed ones) and Schefflera (umbrella plant) are two popular, relatively easy to come by and chameleon-safe varieties.
snakebite412
New Member
hello when i got my chameleon he was super shy and scared!!!but once i handfed him he grew on to me and he will always climb on my head!!!your baby will probrably do the same as chameleons are very curious animals!!!try handfeeding him and he wil come to you just dont be scared of him or the prey you are feeding him
