Handling

[shandi]

I was just wondering how often you all hold your chameleons and how old and what kind they are? Ghost is my first chameleon and I know they stress easily. I am starting out at once a week or once every two weeks but I would like to know what others are doing. Thanks! -Shandi

 

[RonWhitmill]

I think for the most part, chameleons are best observed and not handled. So I handle most of mine only when I need to. I do enjoy hand feeding them on a regular basis. But I don't think there's one good answer to your question. I have 5 chams right now. All male panthers. Don't really handle them. Except for one. My year and a half old male seems to want me to take him out every day. And I hold him briefly for about 5 mins every couple days. But he crawls on me every time I open his cage. And he is very friendly. But I think he is the exception and not the norm. Most chams just want to be left alone.

 

[xephyr17]

I would say it's true that most chameleons do not want to be handled. But in my opinion, this thought could be changed... It really depends on how you raise it first, and his personality second...

A lot of people will say "they will accept being handled, but will never like it," or "they should not be handled because it stresses them." I disagree in that if you show your chameleon that you really care for them and give them lots of love and get THEM to trust YOU, then they will enjoy being in your company.

I have had a Veiled chameleon for only a month, but I'm talking from experience even still. He won't eat out of my hand much yet, but he's getting there. Ender does come to my hand when I want to hold him. A lot of the time, you can tell when they're nervous--Veileds get very dark or vibrant in color and look at you skittishly and even try to run away. But Ender comes to me and does not get like this, he even turns to me and comes near the door of the cage when I'm putting food in, subtle colors and seems happy... It's a surprise he doesn't eat out of my hand much yet, but we'll get there

I handle him once every 2 days or so, but I would handle him every day if he was more up to it. He's not that old yet--he's just so small I don't want to hurt him haha.

It may also depend on the chameleon. Some hate being touched and always will. Hopefully your cham isn't like that But it may take some work either way!