had beardie for about 2 weeks now, doesent like to be held.

[BeardieN00b]

drake is about 8 weeks or so now and ive had him for about 2 weeks. he still seems skiddish and doesent want to be held. is there a certian amount of time i should wait to handle him? ive been trying to socialize the best i can so far.

 

[Beardednoob]

For me I could never wait the 1 week rule for relocation stress. I handled them all since day one of being in my ownership. Can I ask what type and brand of UV source you are using? how close can he get to it? Is his underside still showing stress marks? honestly if all he is doing is squirming, he may be trying to position himself in a way he chooses better then how you may be perceiving what is best. Make sense? One of my dragons (Pulma) hates to be held the way I want to hold her, she insists on climbing up and perching on my arm instead. When I let her do that she will sit happily for quite awhile and just look at me as if she understands what I am telling her. Kind of funny. Each dragon has their own personality and character. Finding what your dragon wants or likes better is half the battle when it comes to bonding. Some people have good luck with putting a worn shirt in their enclosure. This will give the dragon a chance to smell your scent without possibly feeling threatened. Given time this can work. The next time you go to interact with your dragon let him/her smell your scent first. The dragon should recognize the scent from your shirt and not be as flighty. Remember once you give the shirt it is not yours no more, do not plan on ever wearing it again.

 

[Atrax]

For me I could never wait the 1 week rule for relocation stress. I handled them all since day one of being in my ownership. Can I ask what type and brand of UV source you are using? how close can he get to it? Is his underside still showing stress marks? honestly if all he is doing is squirming, he may be trying to position himself in a way he chooses better then how you may be perceiving what is best. Make sense? One of my dragons (Pulma) hates to be held the way I want to hold her, she insists on climbing up and perching on my arm instead. When I let her do that she will sit happily for quite awhile and just look at me as if she understands what I am telling her. Kind of funny. Each dragon has their own personality and character. Finding what your dragon wants or likes better is half the battle when it comes to bonding. Some people have good luck with putting a worn shirt in their enclosure. This will give the dragon a chance to smell your scent without possibly feeling threatened. Given time this can work. The next time you go to interact with your dragon let him/her smell your scent first. The dragon should recognize the scent from your shirt and not be as flighty. Remember once you give the shirt it is not yours no more, do not plan on ever wearing it again.

Why not, my baby doesn't poop on my shirt or anything like that He just sleeps on it.
I love teh bonding time.

 

[BeardieN00b]

For me I could never wait the 1 week rule for relocation stress. I handled them all since day one of being in my ownership. Can I ask what type and brand of UV source you are using? how close can he get to it? Is his underside still showing stress marks? honestly if all he is doing is squirming, he may be trying to position himself in a way he chooses better then how you may be perceiving what is best. Make sense? One of my dragons (Pulma) hates to be held the way I want to hold her, she insists on climbing up and perching on my arm instead. When I let her do that she will sit happily for quite awhile and just look at me as if she understands what I am telling her. Kind of funny. Each dragon has their own personality and character. Finding what your dragon wants or likes better is half the battle when it comes to bonding. Some people have good luck with putting a worn shirt in their enclosure. This will give the dragon a chance to smell your scent without possibly feeling threatened. Given time this can work. The next time you go to interact with your dragon let him/her smell your scent first. The dragon should recognize the scent from your shirt and not be as flighty. Remember once you give the shirt it is not yours no more, do not plan on ever wearing it again.

Ok ill try that thanks! i have a repti-glo 2.0 uvb bulb and a zoo med basking spot lamp (100w).. i have them both sitting on the top of the cage.. distance between drake and the lamps is probably about 14 inches for uvb and about 10 inches or so from basking lamp when hes on top of his rock.

 

[Beardednoob]

Atrax, just cause he didn't poop on the shirt doesn't mean there isn't any other microscopic organisms available for you to raise in colonies on your skin. Ehh but, to each their own. :wink:

 

[libinoz]

Hi mate, just reading your post and you say you have a Repti-glo 2.0. These tubes do not emit enough UVB for a beardie. You need to replace asap with a REPTISUN 10.0! You will notice the difference and your beardie will thank you for it. If you can, read some previous posts regarding lighting issues.

 

[Beardednoob]

Hi mate, just reading your post and you say you have a Repti-glo 2.0. These tubes do not emit enough UVB for a beardie. You need to replace asap with a REPTISUN 10.0! You will notice the difference and your beardie will thank you for it. If you can, read some previous posts regarding lighting issues.

Agreed

 

[Damkat]

yeah I agree go and get a 10.0 uvb light. They need it. Also make sure when picking them up you use a scooping moment from underneath the belly. If you handle handle them from above and just sort of crab them from the top it could make them think you are a predator.

 

[Damkat]

yeah I agree go and get a 10.0 uvb light. They need it. Also make sure when picking them up you use a scooping moment from underneath the belly. If you handle handle them from above and just sort of crab them from the top it could make them think you are a predator.

 

[ziggy23]

It takes time to build up a trusting relationship. They're not like dogs and cats and instantly bond. Also keep in mind it's a baby and it's going to act like one. a puppy wouldn't lay on you for hours unless it was asleep, a hatchling probably wouldn't either. Babies don't have long attention spans, and it's part of their job to explore and learn about the world around them.

so keep at it, but just don't expect long cuddle sessions for a while. My babies were pretty tame from the beginning, but they still wouldn't hang out with me for more than a few minutes.

 

[BeardieN00b]

thanks all for all the support and advice, i switched out his bulb with a 10.0 ubv he seems a little more social now, ive been handling him more and hes starting to eat his veggies

 

[Damkat]

that is great to hear!!!

 

[Atrax]

It's great to hear that he's doing better now.
Yes ReptiGlo 2.0 is only a UVA light, it's meant so that there is stronger light in the terrarium, and as beardies use UVA when hunting, 2.0 light is supposed to help them hunt.

Atrax, just cause he didn't poop on the shirt doesn't mean there isn't any other microscopic organisms available for you to raise in colonies on your skin. Ehh but, to each their own. :wink:

It wasn't supposed to be offensive, I apologize if it looked that way.