Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im just wondering, but what is everyones opinion on the friendliest type of chameleon or easiest species to tame?

i would definately have to say NOT this little girl.....

Well, chams can't really be defined as "friendly"... they're more pets to look at, not really handle. Excessive handling stresses them out, and stress leads to disease which can lead to mortality.

That being said, the chams that most people reccomend as "beginner" species are the Veiled Chameleon (C. calyptratus), the Panther Chameleon (Furcifur pardalis), and the Jackson's Chameleon (C. jacksonii and subspecies). While none of these species can truly be considered "friendly", they're the ones that most beginning cham hobbyists start with.

Hope that helps a bit!
*hugs*
Jamie

I don't really think any species is predictably friendly or tame. They are individuals, and antisocial by nature. You can have a mean veiled or a docile one and how much they are handled as babies doesn't seem to matter. Obviously if you raise a young cham so it is healthy, has a roomy habitat that meets its needs, give it adequate food, water, shelter, it will be less stressy than one who is struggling with problems. Jax are often considered docile, but it doesn't mean they are tamer. They may hide or freeze when stressed instead of trying to bite. It doesn't mean they are less upset. I've had very docile almost friendly melleri and totally evil ones. No species is very social and chams are just not wired to seek out other creatures such as a human. Every time I start to think one species is easier to handle than another I meet the exception.

They don't really tame. At best, they will learn that you are not a predator, and that you are predictable, a source of treats, and a strange looking tolerable annoyance. Just remind yourself that complex social behaviors, showing physical affection, and "friendliness" are mostly mammalian traits, and you can misinterpret a cham's docility.

You can teach them to accept you by sticking to a predictable routine around their cage, don't change things around on them unless necessary, put lights, foggers or sprayers on timers (they trust routines), offer favorite foods by hand, don't handle them too often, learn to recognize your particular cham's tolerance and signs of stress, and appreciate them for what they are...secretive, solitary, silent and beautiful predators who don't give themselves away until desperate.