Which Is Best?

[Southwick Herps]

I was looking to get a chameleon, but I wanted one that would tolerate handling without getting stressed.
Does anyone know which species will tolerate fairly regular handling?

 

[Chris@TSE]

To be honest...... None. Chameleons are more of a display animal in my opinion, no chameleon species ENJOYS handling, some simply tolerate it a bit more than others. I would not entertain the idea of purchasing a chameleon if you plan on handling this animal regularly. I'd look for something else....

Good Luck

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

I agree, although in my opinon Chams are one of the coolest reptiles out there especially the panthers. They are not a good "pet".

They are beautiful to look at, a wonder to watch them eat and climb around, but they are easily stressed if handled too much. I only handle mine when they are moved out of the cage to be cleaned weekly. Some do tolerate it better than others but its still not a good idea to handle them often.

 

[lizardguy]

the three chameleons that are least likely to get stressed are the veiled, jacksons, and the panther chameleon. i recommen starting with the veiled. all chameleons are suspetable to stress, but these are the hardiest of them.

 

[Southwick Herps]

Thats cool, I wasn't sure if there was a good species for handling.
They are awesome to watch though... They finally came out with a good cham cage for colder weather climates like up northeast here in Mass. All the sides are glass, the top is screen, but it's an arboreal glass tank. Taller than long, perfect for a baby cham, and then I could buy bigger as they grow... I might just throw a few flying gecks into it, flying geckos are fun.

 

[niels]

I might just throw a few flying gecks into it, flying geckos are fun.[/QUOTE]

it seems like you are REALLY new into reptiles/chams.

Do never, NEVER keep chams with other animals, if that was what you was thinking about.

also, ch. calyptratus might be the best cham to start with, but it is still NOT a pet.


Hope you understand this the right way

regards Niels

 

[Chris Anderson]

Thats cool, I wasn't sure if there was a good species for handling.
They are awesome to watch though... They finally came out with a good cham cage for colder weather climates like up northeast here in Mass. All the sides are glass, the top is screen, but it's an arboreal glass tank. Taller than long, perfect for a baby cham, and then I could buy bigger as they grow... I might just throw a few flying gecks into it, flying geckos are fun.

There are a couple issues with using a glass tank that you don't seem to realize. First, in order to provide sufficient misting and hydration efforts, there needs to be drainage in the cage. Most glass enclosure do not provide for adequate drainage and water pooling results. Some automatically think they'll just throw a substrate into the bottom to soak it up but the reality is this often facilitates bacteria and fungal growth as well as creates an impaction risk (hence why no substrate is often recommended). Keepers in this situation unfortunately often have a tendency to underwater their chameleons so they don't have the big problem of water buildup in the tank. Chronic suboptimum hydration is a common issue which can significantly shorten the life of your animal. Now lets say that you are able to somehow provide enough misting, etc., in a glass tank. The tank still needs to be able to effectively dry out between mistings. In glass tanks, airflow is decreased and this process takes longer allowing for bacteria and fungal growth and other related problems. What I'm getting at in a nutshell is that I highly doubt you have access to a glass tank of sufficient design and size to allow for proper chameleon care without a significant amount of excess work which for a new keeper, I wouldn't recommend. In my opinion, you'll be much happier and find it much easier to go with a typical screen chameleon enclosure. I'm in upstate NY so I have similar weather problems and I don't have any problem with my screen enclosures with some minimal work.

Further, you might rethink housing your cham with other lizards. Not only is it a stressful situation and a potential vector for parasite exchange if either animal is not completely healthy and parasite free, but in many instances, the chameleon might make a nice meal out of its cagemate. There are great photos around of male veileds eating adult leopard geckos, female veileds eating hummingbirds, etc. Cohabitating chameleons with other animals is generally not a good idea.

Chris