Greetings Everyone,
I have a question. I got my beardie at the end of November. It has taken a few months but she will now eat out of my hand as well as let me stroke the top of her head, and usually touch anywhere else on her body. However, she hates to be picked up. If I try to put my hand under chin she gapes and blows up her beard and tries to bite. If she thinks I am going to pick her up, then she runs around frantic, gets herself all worked up, and puffs her beard and will try to launch and bite.
I have tried the beardie burrito - but she hates it. Also, I have tried working with her with a few hours after lights out and her body temperature is down - but if anything she is worse. She really is grumpy if you wake her up!!
I can put my hand in the cage, pet her, etc - and she is fine. This only comes when I try to handle her. I put my hand in flat often to show her that I can reach in the cage without messing with her. As well as touch her without attempting to remove her, again often, and again she is fine.
I believe my biggest problem is that when she jumps, I jump. I don't know why. It is really frustrating me. I don't know why I have this reaction. She is the first reptile I have ever owned (although I have lived with many and very familiar with animals, birds, mammals, etc as pets). She is the first reptile that is all mine.
I would love any and all help or suggestions. I am so lost. I am not trying to rush things. Right now I am working on placing my hand palm up as close to her chin as she will allow without getting worked up - with the hope that I will slowly be able to move closer and closer until I can place my hand under her and she will come up. I really want to be able my beardie, and I want to work through this while she is still young. That way when she is full grown she and I will both be comfortable with each other.
Thanks!!!
~Sola~
I have a question. I got my beardie at the end of November. It has taken a few months but she will now eat out of my hand as well as let me stroke the top of her head, and usually touch anywhere else on her body. However, she hates to be picked up. If I try to put my hand under chin she gapes and blows up her beard and tries to bite. If she thinks I am going to pick her up, then she runs around frantic, gets herself all worked up, and puffs her beard and will try to launch and bite.
I have tried the beardie burrito - but she hates it. Also, I have tried working with her with a few hours after lights out and her body temperature is down - but if anything she is worse. She really is grumpy if you wake her up!!
I can put my hand in the cage, pet her, etc - and she is fine. This only comes when I try to handle her. I put my hand in flat often to show her that I can reach in the cage without messing with her. As well as touch her without attempting to remove her, again often, and again she is fine.
I believe my biggest problem is that when she jumps, I jump. I don't know why. It is really frustrating me. I don't know why I have this reaction. She is the first reptile I have ever owned (although I have lived with many and very familiar with animals, birds, mammals, etc as pets). She is the first reptile that is all mine.
I would love any and all help or suggestions. I am so lost. I am not trying to rush things. Right now I am working on placing my hand palm up as close to her chin as she will allow without getting worked up - with the hope that I will slowly be able to move closer and closer until I can place my hand under her and she will come up. I really want to be able my beardie, and I want to work through this while she is still young. That way when she is full grown she and I will both be comfortable with each other.
Thanks!!!
~Sola~