Panther behavior...your experiences?

[pba110]

So I've noticed my juvi male shows these nice white bars when I'm not watching him closely. He's also very active when I'm not around his cage. If I'm close to the cage though, he loses the white bars and is just a light green (similiar to his colors when he's sleeping) and stays pretty still.
I've been able to hand feed him a couple of times and if my hand comes close to him he stays pretty still with no color change. I haven't handled him yet.
Anyone else who's had a juvenile see this sort of behavior? Did it eventually go away? I would like to watch him from closer than 15 ft!
Haha

 

[DeFishy]

Hmm, it sounds like your guy might have a sweet disposition if you work on it now. If he's not panicking or hissing or anything when you do go near him I wouldn't worry. My female, Arda, now comes running onto my arm. But with my boy Bruce I still need to work with him, but like yours he doesn't puff up. Just take your time, slowly introduce yourself to him, if he'll take food from your hands I think with time you'll be okay.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Some chameleons are very shy, some aggressive, etc. These underlying characteristics can be adjusted, but probably not totally changed.

Sit at 15 feet away for awhile. Move half a foot closer, sit there quietly without moving much for awhile, dont stare at him the whole time, then a little closer. Next day a little closer. Just sit, still and unthreatening. He'll get used to your presence eventually, to some extent. As he gets older, he may mellow around you, or he may become more aggressive. But he may never be comfortable around you. I consider this almost a mark of intelligence, since you are potentially a big threat

 

[pba110]

Sweet, very interesting info. Thanks!

I asked the breeder for the most docile juvenile male in hopes I could interact with him a little more. I want to get things off on the right foot.

Did you raise Arda from a juvi? What was her disposition initially?


...Hahaha..I'm watching Leon now, just cruising through the branches onto the screen, back onto the branches, rests, does it again...reminds me of a kid on a playground