Chameleon Panic: Understanding Chameleon's Fear of Humans
Chameleons are generally rather sensitive and nervous animals, and as such, they really do not like to be handled. For them, a huge object (like a human) might be ignored if it does not move, and they may even consider it a "walking tree" and crawl on it without problems. More likely, however, they perceive it as a predator. Therefore, they are generally afraid of humans and tend to either blend into their environment or proactively hide or, if cornered, bite.
We Are Extremely Large
For context, the average chameleon weighs between 50 and 100 grams, while an average human weighs about 80 kilograms. This means a human is roughly 1,000 times larger than a chameleon. In comparison, elephants (the Indian ones are a bit smaller, African larger) weigh on average between 5 and 6 tons, making it about 75 times larger than a human. Now understand the perspective of a chameleon if facing a human: It is same, as if a human would be approached by a tiger of a size of 13 elephants, it means it would be around 7m (23ft) high it would reach approximately halfway up the 3rd floor of a regular building, with an iris of a size of a dinner plate, a paw more than 1 m wide and a canine tooth equaling the length of your arm. Would you trust his good intentions? This is how an average chameleon perceives us...
We Resemble Their Most Terrible Enemies
If you try to view humans from a chameleon's perspective, they see a creature with a lengthy body and relatively long limbs. Sometimes, these limbs feature very long, distinctively shaped claws (imagine a female with a manicure). The head is round, with two eyes positioned prominently on the front of the face. Below that, there's a small nose, and even lower, a mouth filled with large, white teeth that opens in a dynamic and unusual manner (humans often talk while in the presence of chameleons or even engage them in conversation, despite being deaf). From the chameleon's perspective, what do they really see? Based on their extensive evolutionary experience, they likely view us as remarkably similar to monkeys, cats and civets, which are some of their most formidable and terrifying enemies.
We Keep Them in Tiny Cages
In captivity, we, by definition, limit the movement and freedom of chameleons to a very confined space for many reasons, starting from human ignorance to limited info available and technical or financial limitations... For decades, i provide pressure advocating for the education to use as large enclosures as possible. Unfortunately, we end up with the false subjective promise that a chameleon can somehow survive and not suffer.
However, consider that the most frequently kept species are the Yemen chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and the Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), which easily reach an adult size of 40 to 50 cm (approximately 16 to 20 inches). Even the biggest commercially available cages are extremely small, measuring 45 x 90 x 90 cm (about 17.7 x 35.4 x 35.4 inches), where the width of the cage is equal to or even smaller than the total length of the animal. The largest dimensions are just double their total body length. Fortunately, some governments are taking initiative in this respect. For instance, Germany and Switzerland regulate the keeping of exotic animals by defining minimum cage sizes that are significantly larger than those still permitted in developing countries, such as those in Asia, and even surprisingly in the United States. While the approach in Asia can be understood in the context of its economic situation and traditions, where attitudes toward animals are generally harsher and animal rights are slowly developing, the situation in the United States is less comprehensible. In discussions, I often hear individuals argue that it's their right to make decisions regarding animal care, viewing this as a matter of freedom. However, I am personally not in favor of a legal environment that allows people the freedom to let animals suffer or even be subjected to torture.
The Natural Behavior Is Biassed
The majority of captive Chameleons live in cages that are too small, limiting their movement and ability to express their normal biological needs. This limitation significantly impacts their well-being and biases their natural behavior. Fortunately, there are exceptions when people keep chameleons in large cages, glass houses, large patios, or, like me, in huge cages of 27 m³ (approximately 1 000 cubic feet). Everyone with extensive experience in keeping chameleons in larger cages, sized preferably many times greater than their total length, will confirm that their behavior is driven by the ability to choose a space similar to what they inhabit in the wild, allowing their behavior to remain natural.
In an environment that is often too small and inadequately equipped, chameleons face numerous challenges. Many setups are decorated with inappropriate plants that do not allow for natural behavior or movement, and the artificial backgrounds often simulate an unrealistic habitat of a cave rather than an open canopy. The exposure to natural light is frequently improper in spectrum and intensity, affecting their ability to see. The lights can be overwhelmingly strong when the chameleons get closer, causing them to be blinded and risking injury or blindness . They may even suffer thermal or UV burns if they get too close. On the opposite side, they struggle to see anything near the bottom of their enclosure. The chameleons must adapt to a stable light and heat source that remains positioned above them at all times. They must coexist with the presence of cats, dogs, birds, children, and various other animals, as well as humans, all of which may pose a threat.
Naturally, this all leads to stress, which manifests in various ways:
They may become aggressive, resorting to biting when they feel threatened.
Alternatively, if they realize there's nothing they can do, they may enter a state of lethargy and apathy, behaving as if under the influence of drugs.
Another reaction to stress is panic, which can lead to a frantic attempt to escape. This may be displayed through crawling around the cage, digging in corners, or what might be anthropomorphically misinterpreted as knocking on the cage walls.
In the presence of humans, their instinct is often to hide. They may hide behind objects and get into the furtest corner, coil their bodies and fall into lethargy. They might even try to escape by climbing onto a person's hand or body, seeing them as a temporary refuge, akin to a walking tree. Humans often misinterpret this behavior as a sign of trust. However, I emphasize that if you take a chameleon outside to any bush or tree, you will quickly see how much real bond has been established through care. I guarantee that it will escape and disappear; it won't attempt to climb back onto you or show any inclination to stay nearby.
We need to understand that for chameleons, attention to light and positive stimuli is crucial for their well-being. From their perspective, humans represent a significant danger because we are simply too large. We resemble their most formidable enemies, and by keeping them in tiny enclosures compared to the vast spaces they inhabit in the wild, we drastically alter their behavior and introduce continual stress into their lives. This limitation affects their natural instincts and overall health, making it essential to provide an environment that encourages their innate behaviors and reduces anxiety.
We are the ones who have dared to enslave chameleons and place them in captivity. Therefore, it is our ethical responsibility to treat them with respect and provide them with larger cages and better environments to ensure they can live happy, healthy lives. We must acknowledge their needs and create conditions that allow them to thrive, reflecting our commitment to their well-being as sentient creatures.