Chameleon Bites: Do They Hurt? (Watchouts + How to Stop It)

Wondering if chameleon bites hurt? This guide is for you!

Chameleons are much-beloved by hobbyists because of their beautiful bright colors and awesome countenances.

But how likely is it for a chameleon to bite a human? What should you look out for, and how easy is it to prevent a potential bite?

Chameleons bite humans on very rare occasions. But, even then, they will have given you ample warning to tell you they are about to strike. A chameleon will hiss, change color, open its mouth, and feint to warn you they are angry and about to bite.

When a chameleon bites you, it will be as a last resort.

In this post, we talk about how to spot a chameleon’s warning signs when it’s about to bite. And avoid being a victim of a chameleon bite – though it is something quite harmless, really.

How Likely is It for a Chameleon to Bite a Human?

Most, if not all, animals with a mouth have the potential to bite. For example, chameleons do bite humans, but rarely.

However, it would help if you accepted the possibility that your chameleon could bite you. This will help you to anticipate when this can happen, and what you can do to prevent it.

Your pet chameleon is unlikely to bite often. But whether it bites you or not depends on a number of factors.

For example, what is your pet’s general demeanor and personality? How does its history affect the kind of animal it is?

Your chameleon’s aggressiveness will also depend on its gender and species. You also have to consider the situation and prevailing circumstances.

That said, chameleons should be discouraged from being aggressive and fighting. This is because violence can injure the animal and make it weak.

Fortunately, chameleons are instinctively wired not to fight or bite humans unless they are really pushed to the wall.

Why Do Chameleons Bite?

To a chameleon, a human being is such a large predator that they should not be trifled with. Therefore, as earlier noted, a chameleon will avoid antagonizing you in any way, unless it has no option.

Chameleons can bite for a number of reasons:

#1 – Poor Handling

Handling your chameleon too much causes it to be stressed. So even if your chameleon is the docile type, it prefers not to be handled.

As such, be as gentle as you can while handling this pet. Avoid picking it up from above, as this makes you appear aggressive.

#2 – Their Territorial Nature

Chameleons become rather frisky when you handle any two together in a small space. This is because of their territorial nature.

It is particularly difficult to keep a male and a female in the same space. These pets are likely to be angry and aggressive, and bite you when you attempt to attend to them.

#3 – Stress

Chameleons get stressed by anything that affects either their health or living conditions. These factors could originate in the enclosure (such as the one discussed above) or the environment.

To avoid this, ensure that your pet chameleon stays happy and healthy.

#4 – Hand Feeding

Your little friend may bite you as you hand-feed him. But, this is more likely to happen as an accident than by design.

If you hold the insect too close to the chameleon’s mouth, a part of your hand may get caught up with the insect.

To avoid this, observe safety measures as you feed your pet. For example, do not attempt to put your fingers or any part of the hand into its mouth.

#5 – Feeling Cornered

Most animals get into defense mode when they feel cornered. So imagine making your chameleon feel cornered – when you’re spot-cleaning, for instance.

This animal may lash out and bite your hand, or any other part of your body that is easily accessible.

#6 – Health Examination

You should be very careful when checking your pet chameleon for any real or perceived health issues. A close health exam may feel intrusive, especially if the pet has no underlying health concern.

However, if a chameleon feels unwell, it’s not likely to be aggressive.

How Can You Tell Your Chameleon is About to Bite You?

A bite from a chameleon does not usually happen out of the blue. However, your pet will give you adequate warning signs to indicate he is agitated and about to bite.

The only way to read these warning signs is by thoroughly acquainting yourself with your pet’s body language.

Here are some key warning signs to look out for:

• Changing his colors

The colors will change from resting colors to hot colors. These may further turn to black or dark brown.

• Menacingly threatens you

The chameleon will move towards you threateningly. His mouth could also be open, and he may be hissing.

• Making his body taller

Your pet will turn side-on toward you and make his body slimmer. He’ll also display an array of colors to look visible, bigger, and threatening.

• Hissing

He produces threatening sounds with his mouth to warn you.

• Mouth gaping

The chameleon opens his mouth wide in a sign of aggression.

• Feinting

Your little friend lunges to bite you but misses on purpose.

Do Chameleons Have Teeth?

Chameleons have acrodont teeth designed for feeding on insects. Unlike mammalian teeth, acrodont teeth don’t have roots but are joined at the base.

These teeth rest on the jaw ridge – a common feature of reptilian and amphibian teeth.

Unlike some reptiles and amphibians, chameleons have only one set of teeth in their lifetime. Sometimes, these teeth wear, and the chameleons have to depend on the alveolar ridges to eat insects.

Chameleon babies also have a special tooth called the egg tooth. They use this tooth to break out of the shell.

However, the egg tooth does not last long because it is broken and worn many times in the little baby’s young life.

To protect your pet’s teeth from wear and tear, you must take good care of them.

This involves two major things: providing your chameleon with adequate calcium and taking him to the vet at least once a year.

The vet will check the teeth for any anomalies and brush them.

Does a Chameleon’s Bite Hurt?

Most species of chameleons are tiny, and their jaws are too small and weak to inflict a painful bite. However, these tiny species are not as popular with hobbyists as the bigger species of chameleons.

Although bites from large species are not fatal, they are painful. For example, a nasty bite from a chameleon can break the skin, causing bruises and pinches, and drawing blood.

Although an injury caused by a chameleon is merely physical, could you not assume it? Instead, you should clean and disinfect it.

Also, cover it with a band-aid to prevent an infection. The good news is that chameleons cannot transmit any disease by biting.

Which Chameleons Are Most Likely to Bite?

Male chameleons are more aggressive than their female counterparts. As such, males are more likely to bite.

Here’s a look at the stereotypical personalities of some make chameleons.

Chameleon Species	Male Temperament
Rudis Chameleon (Triceros rudis)	This is arguably the most docile male chameleon. It is said not to bite.
Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo sanegalensis)	Equally docile and unlikely to bite humans. However, they are quite aggressive towards other chameleons.
Four-Horned Chameleon (Trioceros quadricornis)	This chameleon is more likely to hide than bite. It is very docile even to other chameleons.
Meller’s Chameleon (Trioceros melleri)	This is one of the larger chameleon species, thus, a powerful jaw. The temperament of this chameleon depends on the individual pet. While some are docile and accommodating, others are aggressive.
Veiled Chameleon (Chameleo calyptratus)	This chameleon is large and has a big jaw. It is also quite aggressive and territorial.
Outstalet’s Chameleon (Furcifer outstaleti)	This is the largest species of chameleon. It has a huge jaw that can deliver a powerful bite.
Fischer’s Chameleon (Kinyongia fischeri)	Although this chameleon is a favorite of many, it likes hiding around humans. It’s more likely to be edgy that bite.
Carpet Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis)	Skittish and fast-moving, this chameleon is highly territorial. It doesn’t take to handling well. It is easily stressed and agitated. Highly likely to bite if cornered.
Jackson’s Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii)	This is a highly territorial species that are very nervous around people. It is skittish and will easily bite you if cornered. However, it gives plenty of warning before it bites.
Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)	A highly popular pet, much-beloved for its bright colors and friendly countenance. However, it can be quite aggressive to other chameleons.

Do Female Chameleons Bite?

The chameleons we have covered, as the most likely to bite, are primarily males. Does this mean that female chameleons don’t bite?

As a general rule, female chameleons are much more docile than their male counterparts. They are not paranoid about fighting for territory the way males are.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you own a female chameleon, the best you can do is to understand her temperament and personality.

Get to know what is likely to set her off.

Are Chameleons Poisonous? What About Venomous?

A poisonous animal carries a toxin that affects you when you eat them. A chameleon is not poisonous because it won’t introduce toxins into your body when you eat it.

A venomous animal causes disease or death when they bite you. A chameleon is not venomous because it doesn’t transmit toxins by biting.

All the same, a chameleon carries salmonella, which is harmful to humans. This is a good reason not to eat or bite your chameleon.

However, you should also ensure the other house pets don’t eat your chameleon. You are responsible for ensuring that all pets under your care are safe.

How Can You Avoid a Chameleon Bite?

• Move slowly as you approach your chameleon’s enclosure. Don’t do anything to frighten him. A scared animal is more likely to harm you than one that’s not.
• Avoid putting your hand in the enclosure if the Chameleon is backed into a corner.
• Never pick him up from above if you want to handle this pet. This is intimidating and likely to turn the chameleon against you.
• If your chameleon looks angry or agitated, cover him with a blanket. This will calm him down and give you peace of mind.
• Use food to entice your chameleon to come out more often. By using food as a reward system, you are likely to win him over more quickly.
• Listen and take heed when your chameleon gives you warning signs. Unfortunately, most bites happen because we can’t read our pet’s body language.
• Understand your pet’s temperament and personality type.

What Should You Do If Bitten by a Chameleon?

If you plan on keeping a chameleon, knowing what to expect should your pet bite you is good. But, even more importantly, you should be able to follow the guidelines described above.

If you are unlucky to be bitten by your chameleon, don’t panic. Instead, pull your finger gently and firmly from his mouth.

Don’t jerk your finger, as this will likely cause more harm than good. In addition, you may make the bruise worse by jerking your finger.

Also, you may fling the chameleon off-balance when you pull out your finger roughly. At the very least, this will antagonize your pet further or cause him bodily harm.

Once you have successfully pulled the finger out of the mouth, examine the injury. Then, proceed to treat it as you would any other injury.

This entails washing and disinfecting the wounded area. Also, cover any cuts with a band-aid to prevent reinfection.

You also need to see your doctor for a tetanus jab, unless you have taken one recently. Although chameleons are not known to cause tetanus, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

After all, a chameleon is an animal like any other; a good number of animals are known to transmit tetanus.

Do not forget to take care of your chameleon. Check on him to find out if he, too, was injured. Is the jaw okay and not dislocated?

Does he show any signs of inflammation? If any concerns arise from this incident, don’t hesitate to consult your vet.

The vet will give your chameleon a thorough medical exam and advise you on the best way forward.

Conclusion…

You should not allow the fear of animal bites to prevent you from keeping a chameleon. If you believe that this is the animal for you, go for it!

Chances are that your chameleon will never come close to biting you. All the same, you may want to start with a more docile and friendly species.

Chameleons give ample warning signs before they bite. As such, you only need to acquaint yourself with your pet’s behavior and temperament to understand its intentions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are the Top Three Chameleons Most Likely to Bite?

• Meller’s Chameleon (Trioceros melleri)

Some Meller’s Chameleons are quite docile and laid-back. These ones are friendly and tolerate handling rather well.

However, if you encounter an aggressive Meller’s Chameleon, you’ll discover that they can be quite territorial.

These species bite hard because of their large jaws.

• Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

This chameleon has equally large jaws and can deliver a nasty bite. This, coupled with their grumpy temperament, make them a formidable adversary against other chameleons.

It’s for the same reasons they are likely to bite their owners.

• Pather Chameleon ((Furcifer pardalis)

Although this chameleon is much-beloved for its beauty and vibrant colors, it can be pretty nasty when moody.

Its bite is delivered fast via a pair of powerful jaws.

What Are the Top Three Chameleons Least Likely to Bite?

• Four-Horned Chameleons ((Trioceros quadricornis)

This is a docile, quiet chameleon. A good number of keepers also cite it for its receptive nature.

• Rudis Chameleon (Trioceros rudis)

For a chameleon, this species tolerates handling well. It is a docile, pleasant pet well-suited for beginner keepers.

• Outalet’s Chameleon (Furcifer outstaleti)

Although this is a large chameleon, it is more laid-back and tranquil than other species its size.