Bath time.......... yep you know!

[tengu1]

Hi there

So bath time! Yesterday was Tengu's weekly bath night. Man does she hate it!!! or at least I think she does. Well I pick her up no problems and hold her in the bath as she will try and get out otherwise and gentle splash water on her tail upwards and very carefully droplets on her mouth. Last time she drank and this time she looked at me as of to say "what the f%&% are you trying to do. So after that I held her and kept her warm while stroking her gently and she was heavy breathing. I am concerned about the heavy breathing as I have had her a month now and I mean its obvious I am not a predator!

Is this heavy breathing just worry of not being safe and pass with time? How long should I be handling her for without stressing her out? I am worried about handling her too much and up having the reverse effect.

Otherwise she is lovely Always watching to see whats going on, runs and jumps to the front of the tank for the crickets (which was funny to watch) LOL and lets us handle her. never hissed or puffed up black beard

Thank you

 

[SDragon]

Really there is no need to bath her unless she gets covered in faeces. you are applying human logic to a lizard, you are still a large being putting her in a situation she might be finding stressful. Is it jsut bathing when she appears stressed?

 

[Elmontare]

I dont believe a month is a very long time. What may be obvious to you isnt obvious to an animal. Think of it this way...a beardie has a phobia of water, much like a human would have a phobia of heights (or spiders...). It takes a long time for us to get over a phobia (if ever) so imagine how long it would take a beardie...patience is a virtue.