Holding baby beardie

[kaska798]

I have a baby beardie about 3-4 months old. She runs from me and doesn't seem to like me holding her. If I put her in my hand she'll sit there for a min or so then run off. I'm afraid reaching in to get her is stressing her out but I want her to get used to being handled and be tame and friendly. This is my first beardie so I appreciate any advice on how to do this! Thanks

 

[Skipper7]

Start slow. Spend a lot of time around the cage talking to her in a calm voice. Don't approach her form above. She will slowly get used to you.

Sometimes it takes a while for them to settle in, and even longer to be comfortable around their human "slaves"

 

[kingofnobbys]

Keep in mind if your little hatchling (I take it he's or she's a baby or hatchling) if it's not accustomed to being handled (by the breeder) and maybe never been picked up even , will see you as a looming scarey monster , and it'll see your hand a very strange five headed monster.

Instinct is to run away.

I find it best to restrict handling to the barest minimum initially if you have a skittish / scared lizard, only handling them to help move them to a tub while you are cleaning their tank / rearing tub, and it has been my custom to hand a new lizard it's first few bugs each day - it's a great way to help them learn you are not intent on hurting or eating then and they soon learn to associate you and your hands with something they like and find pleasureable - eating ! (so only maybe 5 minutes per day to start off, while spending lots of timer where lizard can see and hear you and observe you.

Soon you'll have a lizard who is more curious about you than scared of you. This also works with recued wild lizards.

Another thing - NEVER EVER chase a lizard around inside its tank, this will only freak it out and reinforce it's fear of you. If it backs off and obviously doesn't want to be picked up (ATM) take the hint , back off and give it the space it wants.
If you NEED to get lizard our and it's in a hard reach area , a long stick off a tree is a great tool, slmply gently and slowly slip one end under it's front legs and chest - a hatchling will instinctively hold on , then gently lift off then ground and slowly gently draw it towards you to a place where you can slip your hand under it's chest and tummy and then place your other cupped hand over it's body and you now have a lizard who feels secure.

Key to this is routine and lots of patience.

Fear not, eventually you'll have a lovely ubertame affectionate beardie who will enjoy having snuggles and being petted by you, it took over 6 months for Toothless to come round, of cause Puff , Rex and Peppa , and my bts George and Mildred were "people" lizards from the get go.
Peppa loves her snuggles and has from the day we adopted her from the breeder (who was very fond of her because she is very beautiful).

 

[kaska798]

Thanks for the advice. I tried to give her a Dubia last night but she was super scared so after holding it there for a min I gave up. I'll keep trying. I've had her about 2-3 weeks.