Is he an oddball?

[shadowcon39]

Well, as many of you know (since I post a lot about him) I've had my panther for a month. I started off by just hand feeding crickets and silkies. Then he started climbing onto the open door and just chilling on the top of it. Finally he climbs out and just comes right onto my hand to be lifted over to his fake plant to chill by the window with the sunlight. Now I know its not really recommended to handle them all too much and they're a look don't touch pet, but what if he comes out on his own? I mean his husbandry seems fine, good temps and hiding spots and he drinks and eats. He doesn't show stressed black lines or hisses or even opens his mouth at me when he climbs onto me. He even tries to climb onto my head if he gets close enough to my shoulders. So do I have one of those rare chams that don't mind being handled, or should I just stop handling him since it could be stressing him out and I just can't see it?

 

[shadowcon39]

guess no one knows

 

[Matt1851]

hes not an oddball alot of chams dont mind to be handled in my opinion, my cham loves to be taken out and as soon as he gets onto my hand he wants ontop of my head.... some chams when they are older might get moody, i duno sorta like when someone hits puberty they change haha

 

[Killjoy]

i would say its a 50/50. you lucked out and got a guy who likes to be handled. just be sure not to handle for long periods of time. there are all so temperamental when it comes to there living environments and you just want to make sure that he is spending most of his time in his enclosure. In short i would let him "play" for a half hour every other day but anymore than that is bound to cause him unnecessary stress eventually. (IMO)

 

[ColorCham427]

No chameleon "likes" to be handled. Does he show aggression like some other chameleons? NO.

I wouldn't take him out often just because he IS a chameleon.

Chameleons tend to climb upwards, I am positive he doesn't have a thing for your head. ... other than it's the highest place he is able to get to

 

[shadowcon39]

these are a lot of good points. I'll keep his handling down to a min and just let him do his own thing if he wants to come out

 

[jpm995]

I think most chams tolerate people once they asssociate them with something they enjoy [feeding and transporation to another better looking branch]. If he's not stressing out enjoy his company.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I support handling chameleons as little as possible. that said, I have one chameleon (of several) that doesnt mind using me as his transportation method to reaching a plant outside his enclosure. So long as he comes out on his own, rather than my "taking" him out, I dont consider this a problem. I still keep it to a minimum.
Its worth noting that climbing up an arm towards shoulders and head isnt because the chameleon "likes you" but rather just that it is trying to reach "higher ground."

 

[draetish]

I guess my Rocko is an "oddball" too. He is an adult male panther and I got him when he was 4 mo old. When I get home from work he is curled up in sleeping position. I open his cage door to see if he wants out. Sometimes he'll just stay chilled and other times he makes his way to the open door. I extended my hand to see if he wants out. He will climb on my hand and up to my shoulder. I'll walk over to his limb gym to let him exercise and I will put my hand by him to crawl on so I can put him on the limb. I'll hold him up to the limb and sometimes he will turn around and crawl back up my arm. IDK what all this means but.....If you know your cham you'll know.

Side note: I do not "handle" my cham, he handles me on his terms!

 

[jessica]

I must have an odd ball too.

Songbird will walk on my hand, up my arm to my shoulders and chill. My honest opinion on it though is he associates it with going outside or eating.

He has been guilty of snagging a snack while sitting on my shoulder when I clean the feeder containers especially superworms

Like Donna said, I never force him to come out he walks out on my hand on his own accord. He is also the only one of my Chameleons (aside from Earl) who will do this.

 

[toddmkeller]

I don't handle my chams very much at all but I do have a few male panthers that don't mind coming out on their own, and one especially that like the warm arm perch. He will climb out and put his belly down on your arm and absorb heat from it... He is a weirdo.

See ya,

Todd

 

[shadowcon39]

I try to keep his handling down to a minimum, but he climbs out onto the open door and reaches out for my hand, so idk!

 

[draetish]

I try to keep his handling down to a minimum, but he climbs out onto the open door and reaches out for my hand, so idk!

So does Rocko, if he is on top of his cage and I'm close by or trying to take a pic, he'll reach for me, like you IDK

 

[hallenhe]

If he's reaching for your hand and you're not in a rush, let him. There's no rule saying all chams are going to behave alike, or that it is not possible in a world with I don't know how many individual chameleons that some of them can learn to associate you with good things (treats, trips outside, a warm and/or high perch). Just let him set the terms.

 

[draetish]

If he's reaching for your hand and you're not in a rush, let him. There's no rule saying all chams are going to behave alike, or that it is not possible in a world with I don't know how many individual chameleons that some of them can learn to associate you with good things (treats, trips outside, a warm and/or high perch). Just let him set the terms.

Oh most definetely, I'm flattered that my Rocko trust me. He doesn't do that with anyone else.

 

[Miss Lily]

Tommy is just the same! When he wants attention he walks down to the branch near the bottom ofhis cage and actually headbutts the door so we let him out! He is quite happy to climb on hands, arms, the sofa, whatever he can really! Sometimes he just sits chilling on my shoulder with the end of his tail down the front of my t shirt, lol!

Amy, on the other hand is a bit more stroppy and needs bribing with food before she'll come out. She went through a stage a few months ago where everytime you looked at her she would beg to be let out, but these days she just gives you the stink eye, lol!

 

[shadowcon39]

Tommy is just the same! When he wants attention he walks down to the branch near the bottom ofhis cage and actually headbutts the door so we let him out! He is quite happy to climb on hands, arms, the sofa, whatever he can really! Sometimes he just sits chilling on my shoulder with the end of his tail down the front of my t shirt, lol!

haha! Tommy sounds like an awesome little cham!

 

[eppcheck]

My female veiled hates being handled and won't come near me. One of my two panthers is the same way and I respect that. The second panther does nearly the samething everyone else is describing. He sees me after work and then waits at the door. I extend my hand and he climbs on and begins to explore. I don't feed him when I handle him and I also don't take him outside because weather here is horrible for chams at the moment. I don't think he associates me handling him with anything else, It's probably just a personality trait some chams have. I don't agree with some people saying they only tolerate it. I believe some are very timid and hostile towards handling while others either enjoy it or want to explore outside their enclosure. Nothing wrong with handling them if they show no signs of stress imo.