Handling my baby.

[jroc2015]

my new baby doesn't like to be held much... I mean he does, but it is hard to get him settled and into my hands. Does anyone have any suggestions to help make him more comfortable with me.. I handle him right now approx. 5-10 mins a day. and I hangout around his tank A LOT.. so i think he knows who i am... why does he seem to be afraid of me. once i have him in my hands and were chilling he's fine tho, he gets really calm and comfortable its just the process of trying to get him out of the tank..

 

[haleys06]

Hi Jroc,

One of my little fella's used to be like that too - I found that if I just pet him for a bit while he was in his tank, then stuck my finger infront of him, kind of as a peace offering? haha. If he was good to come out, he would sort of "cling on" and I would slowly lift him out (supporting his other body parts). Sometimes he will still randomly spazz out - but he is much more calm then what he used to be. I feel like its kind of on "his terms" since he clung to me

 

[jroc2015]

Hi Jroc,

One of my little fella's used to be like that too - I found that if I just pet him for a bit while he was in his tank, then stuck my finger infront of him, kind of as a peace offering? haha. If he was good to come out, he would sort of "cling on" and I would slowly lift him out (supporting his other body parts). Sometimes he will still randomly spazz out - but he is much more calm then what he used to be. I feel like its kind of on "his terms" since he clung to me

AHHHH okok, i tried doing something similar yesterday and it seemed to work. i have also noticed stress marks.. not sure what they're about cause everything is perfect about his terrarium.

 

[SDragon]

How old is he and how long have you had him?

 

[jroc2015]

How old is he and how long have you had him?

Ive had him for a week... I honestly don't even know how old he is.. He is 3.5 inches so I'm gonna say a month or 2.

 

[aepstein]

How old is he and how long have you had him?

Ive had him for a week... I honestly don't even know how old he is.. He is 3.5 inches so I'm gonna say a month or 2.

It took my baby a couple weeks to get used to me. He still spazzes, but once I hold him a bit (supporting all his legs and tummy) he generally starts to calm down.

Have you tried handling your beardie right before lights out? They're generally tired and less likely to squirm around that time. I usually bathe my little guy and wrap him in a washcloth. He falls asleep on my chest.

Hope this helps

 

[Taterbug]

How old is he and how long have you had him?

Ive had him for a week... I honestly don't even know how old he is.. He is 3.5 inches so I'm gonna say a month or 2.

You havnt had him long and he is just a little thing. It's natural he will be skittish and even scared of you for a while. If he is running away, squirming a lot or otherwise resisting handling he is probably scared - it will take time and patience for him to get used to you.

I would follow the advice of giving him space and letting him come to you. Perhaps you can coax him with food or treats like waxworms or butterworms. Once he is out a comfortable dragon will generally still be alert and bright eyed, not frozen and wide eyed or with closed eyes.

 

[SDragon]

How old is he and how long have you had him?

Ive had him for a week... I honestly don't even know how old he is.. He is 3.5 inches so I'm gonna say a month or 2.

Give him time to settle and get used to you. The terrarium might be perfect except for the monster who keeps attacking him (hence the marks). Let him get used to you without forcing him to be held. It's much more important he settles in and eats well then you can work on handling him. I know it's hard but it will be worth it in the long run.

Also sometimes they can appear relaxed but actually they are stressed when they are being held. Is he still alert?

 

[jroc2015]

Give him time to settle and get used to you. The terrarium might be perfect except for the monster who keeps attacking him (hence the marks). Let him get used to you without forcing him to be held. It's much more important he settles in and eats well then you can work on handling him. I know it's hard but it will be worth it in the long run.

Also sometimes they can appear relaxed but actually they are stressed when they are being held. Is he still alert?

He is more alert than ever, he eats very well. probably between 5-10 crickets every day depending on how much green/veggie he has. His veggies are collard greens, kale (occasionally), squash, carrots, cucumber, mango (occasionally). He also poops once a day or every other day.
and calcium dusted.

also are there any other things that i should be adding to his diet...

 

[Taterbug]

Give him time to settle and get used to you. The terrarium might be perfect except for the monster who keeps attacking him (hence the marks). Let him get used to you without forcing him to be held. It's much more important he settles in and eats well then you can work on handling him. I know it's hard but it will be worth it in the long run.

Also sometimes they can appear relaxed but actually they are stressed when they are being held. Is he still alert?

He is more alert than ever, he eats very well. probably between 5-10 crickets every day depending on how much green/veggie he has. His veggies are collard greens, kale (occasionally), squash, carrots, cucumber, mango (occasionally). He also poops once a day or every other day.
and calcium dusted.

also are there any other things that i should be adding to his diet...

His diet sounds pretty good, but you can always mix in more for variety. I like to mix up the salad greens (picking from dandelion, kale, collards, mustards, bok choy, turnip greens, spring mix and such) and then mix in whatever is fresh or in season at the store. Different bugs - like roaches, silkworms or black soldier fly larvae are good to add. Various veggies - I'll use greens and squash regularly but mix in things i have for cooking like peppers, summer squash or something that looks interesting at the store. There are food guides out there to help you pick things, but for the most part if you have a good base you can mix in little bits of most safe foods.