charlotteclaraschameleon
Member
Alrighty, so about three weeks ago I rescued a lil guy with MBD, he's probably only around 4-5 months old, not in the worst condition but definitely has MBD as a result of poor care. SO, took him to the vet as soon as I got him and got 6 calcium shots to give the little guy...and now my question is handling. I reaaaaally want to get him out in the sunlight ( i live in southern california and it's been perfect chameleon weather), but he's totally scared of me of course, we haven't had our chance to get used to each other on a slow level because I've had to be very hands on with his care. He's made definite progress, his casque looks to be growing straighter, and he's not as weak as when I first got him, he's a little trembley when he moves and does occasionally grab his own limbs so he's recovering BUT he's not there yet. When I go to get him he doesn't gape or hiss or show any signs of aggression because of his fear, he's just totally freaked out and tries to run for the hills and has taken a fall once or twice suicide-bomber style 
He already has an old fracture on his front arm from the first negligent owner and the LAST thing I want to do is hurt himself again of course.. but I think the sun would just do him wonders. He's a bit too freaked out to start hand feeding from me even, he took a cricket yesterday from my tongs because they were far enough in the back of his cage he didn't know my arms were attached haha His cage has an automatic sprayer installed etc ottherwise I would just move the whole damn thing. I bought him a large hibiscus to sit on and he's still a little bit nervous outside his cage but it's so obvious he's loving the sun rays, all puffed up and regal looking So I guess my question is, do I get him out of the cage and into the sunlight (of course in the most gentle, easy way) or will this ruin our relationship for the future, me forcing him out and him looking at my hands in a negative way and I should just let his lighting do the trick? I have a reptisun 5.0 small tube light at the front portion of the cage and a compact fluorescent in the back since the cage is a medium size and I want him to get maximum lighting to get his calcium levels back up (and of course there are shady bottom portions for him to crawl around in as well). ANY insight would rock, this is a much different scenario I've found myself in than in the past where I've been able to slowly establish a great handling relationship with my chameleons to the point where they ask to come out every day
He already has an old fracture on his front arm from the first negligent owner and the LAST thing I want to do is hurt himself again of course.. but I think the sun would just do him wonders. He's a bit too freaked out to start hand feeding from me even, he took a cricket yesterday from my tongs because they were far enough in the back of his cage he didn't know my arms were attached haha His cage has an automatic sprayer installed etc ottherwise I would just move the whole damn thing. I bought him a large hibiscus to sit on and he's still a little bit nervous outside his cage but it's so obvious he's loving the sun rays, all puffed up and regal looking So I guess my question is, do I get him out of the cage and into the sunlight (of course in the most gentle, easy way) or will this ruin our relationship for the future, me forcing him out and him looking at my hands in a negative way and I should just let his lighting do the trick? I have a reptisun 5.0 small tube light at the front portion of the cage and a compact fluorescent in the back since the cage is a medium size and I want him to get maximum lighting to get his calcium levels back up (and of course there are shady bottom portions for him to crawl around in as well). ANY insight would rock, this is a much different scenario I've found myself in than in the past where I've been able to slowly establish a great handling relationship with my chameleons to the point where they ask to come out every day 
