Is my chameleon trying to mate with my hand?

[alyssarae859]

My 7-8 month old Veiled and I are best of friends. He loves coming out and hanging out with me. He sits at the door and stares at me until I let him out. But lately I think he thinks a little more of our friendship. Today I opened his cage and he runs to me as usual but when he gets on my hand he squeezes his bottom very hard on the gap in between my thumb and pointer fingers. It makes me uncomfortable and it is hard to get him to release. He is non agressive, I have never seen him "puff up". Is he coming on to me? Do I need to find him a girlfrend? How can I let him know we are just friends?

 

[reptileguy112]

Not sure if this is a joke or not. If it isn't this is the most ridiculous thing I have seen on this forum so far. He puffed up because he is stressed, not sexually attracted to your hand. Some chameleons will allow to be held but generally chameleons really don't enjoy it.

 

[reptileguy112]

Also chameleons need to live by themselves, if you introduce another one they will kill each other.

 

[alyssarae859]

The post was meant to have humor in it which clearly you do not understand. I have never seen him puff up nor was he puffed up when he did this. I know what cham aggression is. This is the exact reason I do not get on this forum much because there are so many unfriendly people. Please do not talk down on me because I was making light of the situation. I have not been on this site for a couple months and I will continue to do so. Thanks

 

[SocialNumb]

This thread is crazy lol

 

[MissLissa]

I don't think this is all that far-fetched; I've been "courted" by a bearded dragon, had to help a coworker ward off the insistent amorous advances of a large male savanna monitor, and I work with a northern snapping turtle whose favourite "girlfriend" is a large flat rock. I find it even less surprising since he's 7-8 months of age, which is when I'd expect these guys to start hitting puberty. All those new hormones rushing around can be confusing to a young guy!

For the other reptiles I've worked with (birds, too- and a hormonal male ostrich is nothing to sneeze at!) it pretty much took time and distractions. Time to help the sudden surge of hormones to settle down, and distractions like taking them to a new environment, offering a new perch to investigate, etc, to keep their mind off "Mrs Hand" (or shoe, or ponytail, or backhoe, or whatever it is the animal is enamored of). Usually you can get to know when they are engaged in wandering around and exploring, and when they are hunting for a "special friend". The key is to offer a non-scary distraction BEFORE they get down to business; as you've noticed it's a lot harder to distract them once they're gettin' busy.

I've never had this issue with a chameleon, but this is what has worked with other reptiles and animals I've worked with. Maybe someone else will have a more tailored suggestion

 

[reptileguy112]

The post was meant to have humor in it which clearly you do not understand. I have never seen him puff up nor was he puffed up when he did this. I know what cham aggression is. This is the exact reason I do not get on this forum much because there are so many unfriendly people. Please do not talk down on me because I was making light of the situation. I have not been on this site for a couple months and I will continue to do so. Thanks

You don't need to react this way, you understand that I thought you were being serious but continue and say i'm being "unfriendly". Stop complaining gosh

 

[distortionz]

To fully answer this question I think we need a picture of your hands.. Do you lotion regularly? Have you recently had a manicure?

 

[JaniP]

To fully answer this question I think we need a picture of your hands.. Do you lotion regularly? Have you recently had a manicure?

I actually just shot tea out of my nose, thank you.

 

[JaxyGirl]

My 7-8 month old Veiled and I are best of friends. He loves coming out and hanging out with me. He sits at the door and stares at me until I let him out. But lately I think he thinks a little more of our friendship. Today I opened his cage and he runs to me as usual but when he gets on my hand he squeezes his bottom very hard on the gap in between my thumb and pointer fingers. It makes me uncomfortable and it is hard to get him to release. He is non agressive, I have never seen him "puff up". Is he coming on to me? Do I need to find him a girlfrend? How can I let him know we are just friends?

Hi there, what your talking about does happen. When males reach breeding age and there aren't any females around they can do some strange things! It it's not unusual for them to rub up against stuff which might lead to them releasing a sperm plug. Even your hand. I had a Jacksons chameleon that had an affair with my carpeted stairs once. I was really surprised when I finally realized what he was doing!!

 

[Andrea91cl]

Oohh, I was trying to find in google if someone else had a naughty chamaleon! Mine do this every day, I'm not alone.

 

[elizaann2]

Oohh, I was trying to find in google if someone else had a naughty chamaleon! Mine do this every day, I'm not alone. View attachment 344047

Wow he is beautiful!

 

[Andrea91cl]

Wow he is beautiful!

Thank you! He is dirty though, during breeding season taking him out means he mates my hand. If I don't he keeps going around his house up and down. Needy!