Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are there any known to be aggressive? Tame? thanks

I asked the same question when I got my first chameleon. This is rather hard to say, but chameleons are more "look" then "touch". Handeling them can really stress them out, occasionally to the point of death. They are a thing of beauty, elegance, and most are very independent and territorial. Some chameleons allow handeling, while some absolutely dread it. You should keep handeling to a minimal, unless the chameleon permits otherwise. Some panthers can be tame, but they are usually handled at young ages. I have a male veiled chameleon that will come right to me when I open his cage, knowing that he is about to be fed, but he was trained to do that. Let me put it this way, ANY chameleon can be gentle and even friendly, if they are raised to be. Good luck, and best wishes!
Michele
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1.0 Veiled chameleon (Godzilla)
4.0 Cinnamin blue faced button quail

They are individuals. I would not say they are tame in the same way a bearded dragon or leopard gecko is. I'd say rather some are more tolerant of handling than others. How much handling they have as babies does not guarrantee a tamer cham I don't think. Most of my chams were wildcaught as adults, and some are quite tolerant. Most of them avoid handling or being stared at a lot by humans or other pets. After all, their whole approach to life is to camoflage themselves for hunting and protection from predators and only showing their presence by silently flashing display colors at a rival or a mate. Some react by bluffing, hissing and even biting, but the ones that are not physically aggressive are not necessarily "tame". They can still be stressed by too much handling and may only show this by turning to a stress coloration and hiding from view. Many panthers are more tolerant than others but it is not the rule. Many veileds are aggressive, but again that is not the rule. One of the most tolerant chams I've had was a veiled. One of my nastiest was a deremensis who are often considered docile. I've had one vicious melleri and one completely gentle one. If you want a herp that tolerates a lot of handling and attention, a cham is not a good choice. They do better as display animals that you enjoy from a distance.