Hello from Tennessee!

[RandyW1986]

Hey everyone, I'm Randy and I got my first beardie today. I'm a working college student studying to be a police officer and am a reptile lover. I've had iguanas, and currently have a yellow belly slider and a box turtle. A bearded dragon has been on the top of my list for a long time and I finally found a deal that a broke college boy could afford on some local classifieds. Today I met Diamond (his previous owners named him) and brought him home with me. He is approx. 2 years old and seems to be in good health. My only concern is he hasn't been handled much in the last few months and is a little defensive when I touch him. He even puffed up and hissed at me when I fed him this evening after getting him home (he did eat quite a bit though, good sign right?). The reason I've wanted a beardie is because of all the stories I've heard about their good temperament and ease of handling so what I need to know is how do I get him acclimated to being handled once again? I don't want to stress him out, but I do want a beardie I can handle and enjoy, after all that's why I chose a beardie. I would truly appreciate any help you all can give about taming him down and I look forward to learning a much as I can about these awesome reptiles. Thanks!

 

[Nicholas]

Welcome to the forums!

It could be relocation stress, you should put a shirt you've worn in his tank and leave him alone for a few days, that way he will get used to your smell and get used to his new home at the same time.

Good luck with your new beardie, hope you can soak in as much info as possible from these boards.

 

[Librarylady]

Hello also from Tennessee! I'm in Chattanooga!

 

[RandyW1986]

I'm in Cookeville, we're practically neighbors lol

 

[RandyW1986]

After reading some taming posts on here, I noticed a lot of folks suggested hand feeding as a way to earn the beardie's trust. I tried this tonight and he took to it right away. He ate several blueberries from my hand and even let me touch his tail some before becoming agitated. Once he seemed to be getting upset I stopped for the night. Am I on the right track?

 

[Nicholas]

Yup! It takes time and persistence every little baby step helps. blueberrys are good as a treat but don't feed them every day as they aren't the best, don't want him getting too spoiled! There is a sticky topic under the feeding sub forum that shows what is good staple food for your beardie to eat.

 

[RandyW1986]

Alright, I definitely check that out. I keep chopped up kale, squash, and carrots in a bowl for him and then give him crickets twice a day dusted in calcium supplement. I'll go to that sticky topic now and see what else I can use as hand feeding treats. He took crickets from my hand this morning as well before I left for work. I'm gonna give him a few more days to settle in and adjust before I try too much handling but I plan on spending some time every night after I'm done with work and school hand feeding and keeping my hand in his tank. Hopefully I will eventually be able to pick him up without him hissing and gaping.

 

[RandyW1986]

Finally got a pic to upload. This was right when I got him home, he has since been cleaned up and I am going today to get a safer substrate. I think that is calci-sand that the previous owners had in there and I have been reading all the bad stuff about it. But anyway, here's Diamond.

 

[noelerhard]

She's very pretty. Welcome to the BD family!

 

[RandyW1986]

Thanks!

 

[daner923]

I will definitely plug slate tile for a substrate! It is cheap, easy to clean, and keeps nails trim. he is a handsome fellow .

 

[Thedragon97]

Hey if you ever need anything let me know! I'm in Nashville!

 

[RandyW1986]

Thanks! I appreciate that!