HELP!!

[thatJaC]

Hi!

alright so ive had my beardie since dec. he is 3 1/2 years old. I dont play with him as much as i should due to school and working, but he is bathed regularly and fed everyday and usually held at least 3 times a week. I ran out of crickets yesterday so he only had two or three and i gave him a bowl of greens. Sometimes when i let him run around hes perfectly fine until i go to pick him up then he puffs out (only once in a while), which i thought was normal, but today I brought him to the living room of my home (he is usually kept in my room to run around) and he was just chilling on my lap while i played some video games, after about 10-15 mins he got off and ran around for a bit - i checked on him, didnt get to close and as soon as he saw me he went all puffy, i got a little closer to pet him and he started opening him mouth. I left him for about 15 minutes and when i checked on him again he did the same thing.. after the fourth time of him doing this i decided to get a little closer and he started to hiss. i put on a leather glove and picked him up and put him back in his cage, he seems normal now, still puffed out but i can pet him and get close to him.. any idea what the outburst was about or how to avoid it?

 

[cricket119]

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I learned on this site that blinking lights can have an affect on beardies. It was posted as a reminder at christmas time. Maybe someone with more experience can elaborate. Chris

 

[thatJaC]

He hasnt been around blinking lights, except maybe the TV since I got him.. but however your reply does remind me he was on a heat register when he first 'freaked' out.. if that helps. thanks for the reply though chris!!

 

[ChellyBeans]

It's the joy of spring! He is on the hunt for a lady. When they are all hormonal, they get grouchy. It was of no offense to you, I'm sure. He was just looking for a girlfriend.

 

[thatJaC]

lmao, alright.. i was soo thinking that but still wanted to make sure the little guys alright!! lol, thanks for the help.. any idea how long this will go on for??

 

[ChellyBeans]

Some boys are just hormonal and it will take a little time before he snaps out of it. Be patient with him and keep doing what you're doing.

 

[MissT]

Sounds more aggressive than spring fever to me... hormones usually result in head bobbing, black bearding, glass dancing and general craziness but not so aggressively.

I have a female who would flare up in the way you described - she didnt do it when we first got her - it started very suddenly after about 3 months and it was only directed at myself and my mother in law. It got to the point where she started snapping at us and she did bite me on more than one occasion. Due to our little male being ill, we hadnt been handling her enough - my mother in law and I mainly dealt with the little guy and my fiance handled her more than anyone, other than at feeding time. We tried a few things- we would sit for about 30 mins each day with one hand in the viv - not too close to her but where she could see it - in the beginning about 10 mins of this time she would puff up and open her mouth then she would ignore it. On the occasions when she tried to bite, I tried to pop a piece of salad in her mouth before she got me. Lastly, we made a real effort to spend some time with her every day - even if it was only a 15 minute bed time cuddle each night. She has responded really well and now anyone could go in and pick her up!!

The main thing is to be persistant - dont let him get away with such behaviour - if he puffs up at you, dont walk away and leave him to it - if he sees that he is scaring you off he WILL keep doing it!! Always have a little bit of greens when you are approachin him - in the event of him opening his mouth you can pop it in there so he will see that mouth open = greens not biting! Be confident - dont be afraid to pick him up! If you are confident, he will be more relaxed!

I hope he snaps out of it soon!

T