Handling

[Burnzey71]

I’ve had my beardie for 2-3 months and handling is still a pain. Either it goes good or bad. Sometimes I can pet and handle no problem and other times she puffs up and hisses at me (even striked a few times). She’s even recently started to freak out and run around and glass surf for about 15 minutes then quits (happens every few days or so). When I do finally get her out I let her roam around and do her thing before it’s time to go back in. Am I doing something wrong with handling her? I’ve put a lot of time in on making sure she has the proper temps and lighting. She’ll eat out of my hand no problem and has even cuddled in on a blanket for a nap while I’ve been holding her. Any ideas on why she’s so 50/50 with me?

 

[KarrieRee]

I’ve had my beardie for 2-3 months and handling is still a pain. Either it goes good or bad. Sometimes I can pet and handle no problem and other times she puffs up and hisses at me (even striked a few times). She’s even recently started to freak out and run around and glass surf for about 15 minutes then quits (happens every few days or so). When I do finally get her out I let her roam around and do her thing before it’s time to go back in. Am I doing something wrong with handling her? I’ve put a lot of time in on making sure she has the proper temps and lighting. She’ll eat out of my hand no problem and has even cuddled in on a blanket for a nap while I’ve been holding her. Any ideas on why she’s so 50/50 with me?

Sounds like shes still settling in and a little apprehensive - give her time and patience she will get there- is she still a baby or older? Take a blanket / or a piece of clothing and put it in her hide something w/ your smell on it - she will get used to that smell and will help her adjust - the glass surfing could be a number of things - one she could just be training you to get her out or if you have her in a smaller tank like a 20 gallon will do it- adult dragons need at least a 75 or 120 gallon tank - lighting could be doing it too - temps in the tank - incorrect UVB coils are terrible for issues like this or basking bulbs that are off white - yellowish or ones that a coating on them -

 

[Burnzey71]

Sounds like shes still settling in and a little apprehensive - give her time and patience she will get there- is she still a baby or older? Take a blanket / or a piece of clothing and put it in her hide something w/ your smell on it - she will get used to that smell and will help her adjust - the glass surfing could be a number of things - one she could just be training you to get her out or if you have her in a smaller tank like a 20 gallon will do it- adult dragons need at least a 75 or 120 gallon tank - lighting could be doing it too - temps in the tank - incorrect UVB coils are terrible for issues like this or basking bulbs that are off white - yellowish or ones that a coating on them -

Not sure how old but if I had to guess based on size I’d say about 6 months. Got a 40g now. My lighting and temps used to be off but this site and it’s people helped me find the right stuff and we’ve been good for over a month.

 

[KarrieRee]

Not sure how old but if I had to guess based on size I’d say about 6 months. Got a 40g now. My lighting and temps used to be off but this site and it’s people helped me find the right stuff and we’ve been good for over a month.

Ok that is good on your lighting - just give him / her time - if and when you get another tank he / she will go thru relocation stress so the eating may be off - just keep working w/ him / her and they will come around - some may take a little longer than others but trust and patience is key here -

 

[Burnzey71]

If she gets aggressive do I stop or keep persisting?

 

[KarrieRee]

If she gets aggressive do I stop or keep persisting?

I guess that's up to you- my 2 yr old was really aggressive- I ended up using a glove to pick him up - that was in the tank and holding him outside the tank for 5 min at a time but he was around 5 months old- I never had a issue w/ hiccup who is 3 now- two different personalities - it didn't take a long time to get him calm and I even started out w/ hand feeding- and petting in the tank I went slow and eventually I could pick him up w/ out the glove but he was terrible- he drew blood on my hubby several times