Bearded Dragon suddenly hiding from me

[RhiannonJade]

Hi Everyone!

My bearded dragon (4 month old male I think) has suddenly started hiding from me. I have had him for 3 months and that entire time he was fine. Now for the past couple of weeks when I walk in to the room he freaks and runs in his cave. If I pick up the cave and move it he lets me pick him up and take him out so I can feed him. Sometimes I will just leave him in there and see if he comes back out. but as soon as he sees me again he goes back in. When I do take him out he is very active and if I take him out at the end of the day he falls asleep on me. I just don't want him to hide from me in the first place.

My set up is as follows: I have a 40 gallon tank. His basking spot is about 106 degrees, read with a digital prob thermometer. I have a 10. reptisun UVB tube. He is on repticarpet. I recently took out his water dish because the humidity was a bit too high. He is fed as many crickets as he can eat twice a day and they are dusted with calcium.

Any ideas would be really appreciated!

 

[omg87]

Bribe him. WITH FOOD! And be persistent about it. He may not come out for the first few tries but hunger/curiosity will get the better of him eventually.

 

[RhiannonJade]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will def try it.

I just had a though. I usually give him baths when I take him out every couple of days so he can poop and hydrate himself. He doesn't really enjoy them but I always thought he tolerated it. Do you think maybe he hides because he doesn't want me to take him out and give him a bath?

Just a thought lol.

 

[omg87]

I honestly don't think he can put 2 and 2 together like that - UNLESS you only take him out of your cage for a bath. Our dragons are about the same age and if mine doesn't want out, it simply will not let me pick it up.

 

[bunnyrut]

they seem to be a bit jittery at that age. when tasty treat was around that age we couldn't really hold her.

try holding him on your hand while still in the cage, pet his head, or take him out for a few moments without giving him a bath. also hand feeding him lets him know you provide food, he might start to associate you as the food source and not be scared.

i think when they are 6 months old they are able to really be held with out them trying to run away from you.

 

[RhiannonJade]

Yay Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll give these suggestions a shot! Hopefully he grows out of it soon.