Handling

[Burnzey71]

Hey everyone just a few questions on handling a baby beardie. So I’ve had my beardie for almost 2 weeks and my girlfriend and I are starting to bring her out of her enclosure. However, she reacts differently each time to us going in to get her. Sometimes she just runs around almost likes it’s a game, other times she puffs up and gets mad, and other time she doesn’t care. Once we get her out she has no problem with us holding her and she loves to run around my bed and my room. I just wanted to know if I’m doing everything right.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hey everyone just a few questions on handling a baby beardie. So I’ve had my beardie for almost 2 weeks and my girlfriend and I are starting to bring her out of her enclosure. However, she reacts differently each time to us going in to get her. Sometimes she just runs around almost likes it’s a game, other times she puffs up and gets mad, and other time she doesn’t care. Once we get her out she has no problem with us holding her and she loves to run around my bed and my room. I just wanted to know if I’m doing everything right.

Dragons are all different for adjusting to their surroundings- some can take longer some dont- you can put a piece of your clothing or a fleece blanket something w/ your scent on it place it in their hide so they get used to you please approach from the side not above they have a third eye on top of their heads for predators I would hand feed her worms like small super worms or bsfl they are great staple feeders that will help her learn to trust you that is a good way to getting her learn to the handling and patience as well correct basking temps and uvb are also very important- they control the overall health and behavior-

 

[Burnzey71]

Dragons are all different for adjusting to their surroundings- some can take longer some dont- you can put a piece of your clothing or a fleece blanket something w/ your scent on it place it in their hide so they get used to you please approach from the side not above they have a third eye on top of their heads for predators I would hand feed her worms like small super worms or bsfl they are great staple feeders that will help her learn to trust you that is a good way to getting her learn to the handling and patience as well correct basking temps and uvb are also very important- they control the overall health and behavior-

Lighting and temps are all fine. I just don’t understand why sometimes she’s fine with it and other times she gets very defensive. But even if she gets defensive and she does come out she’s extremely happy. Crawls all over me and jumps around. When I try to put her back in her tank she doesn’t want to go. If she gets mad should I just leave her be?

 

[KarrieRee]

Lighting and temps are all fine. I just don’t understand why sometimes she’s fine with it and other times she gets very defensive. But even if she gets defensive and she does come out she’s extremely happy. Crawls all over me and jumps around. When I try to put her back in her tank she doesn’t want to go. If she gets mad should I just leave her be?

She's very young and I would hate to see you lose her under something they are very quick it could be she likes the freedom but it could also be the temps in the tank and / or your uvb that is extremely important please go over your uvb your using brand and bulb and how your getting your basking temps they should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- those are the most accurate and the uvb a long tube fixture that is what is recommended here

 

[Burnzey71]

She's very young and I would hate to see you lose her under something they are very quick it could be she likes the freedom but it could also be the temps in the tank and / or your uvb that is extremely important please go over your uvb your using brand and bulb and how your getting your basking temps they should be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- those are the most accurate and the uvb a long tube fixture that is what is recommended here

I use a digital probe and I don’t have a tube UVB just a dome bulb

 

[KarrieRee]

I use a digital probe and I don’t have a tube UVB just a dome bulb

Ok so it's a coil? I would recommend getting it switched out for a long tube fixture what size tank is she in?

 

[Burnzey71]

It’s not a cool either. She’s in a 40 gal and she’s about 2-3 months old

 

[KarrieRee]

It’s not a cool either. She’s in a 40 gal and she’s about 2-3 months old

Can you please post a pic of it or the box it came in

 

[Burnzey71]

Can you please post a pic of it or the box it came in

The tank?

 

[KarrieRee]

The tank?

LOL no the UVB your using

 

[Badwolfe]

Burnzey it all comes down to the personality of your Beardy and patience. Eventually they come to associate you with food arriving so that helps the taming process. Start off by just getting your hands in the viv often. If she allows you to pick her up then do it in the tank but dont remove her until she is comfortable being picked up. Once you get to that stage remove her gently but keep her low to the ground in case she tries to jump and make a run for it.

Try not to approach her from above - they have a photo-sensitive 'third eye' on top of their head which they use to detect predators approaching from above. If she scuttles away from you inside the viv don't chase her - give her time to settle before attempting to pick her up again. Its all about trust and security.

The best UVB set up in the world is not going to make your girl any tamer

Hope this helps