I've been bit

[RightmostLoki4]

So I have two dragons one being a Craigslist purchase that turned out to not be in the most fantastic health because her previous owner thought a single basking light was the way to go. You all already helped in my fear of mbd and impaction and she is now a happy beardie with uv and calcium and crickets and greens and all that. Well she (Atuin) qued an obsession. And on July 4th we adopted Azrael. We gave him a three week adjusting period before handling. When we handled him he was skittish as expected and would like to run. We have a microwave rice heat pad we use so they have a bit if a heat source outside the tank. (That's a side note.) Anyways today he bit me when I went to catch him before to leaping off the bed. He small and his jaws were not strong enough to break skin so I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about further taming. Any steps to take to fix it. Should I just leave him alone for a few days. He didn't puff or black beard or tail flick. He just bit and the chewed once before I pulled him back.

 

[CooperDragon]

He might have just been startled. Give him time to settle and a little space for now. It can take a while to tame them sometimes. If they are out of the tank a lot you might consider setting up a basking light or mercury vapor light on an adjustable stand or clamped to a table etc so they can return to it to bask as they wish.

 

[RightmostLoki4]

Thanks I just read about providing a room basking space. I love that idea because atuin love being outside her take and we had been keeping her in it for the warmth. She loves snuggles and became more loving quickly I think is why it shocked me so greatly to be nommed by our newer baby. I just now have to fight myself on becoming skittish of him. I don't really do things that bite and love beardies for the docile nature. Thank you again for the reply well give him some breathing space and probably buy another light this paycheck for an outside tank set up might even give them a walk up platform to it. (We go a little overboard when it comes to the babies.) Thanks again

 

[CooperDragon]

They don't usually bite unless they are in an especially grumpy or defensive mood/startled, or most often just mistake fingers for food or are clumsy going after food you are holding out to them. I've been nipped a few times that way but it's not a big deal.

I've found that the basking lights are great. My guy is sitting under his MegaRay now. I have the living room one clamped to a side table about 11'' off the floor for him.

They work well on an adjustable stand too. They can be free standing in a room and are great for travel.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, I would try picking him up every day, very gently but firmy, and holding him to your chest. After 3=4 weeks he should be used to his new home and is now acting out, yes some fear + confusion but still needs to adjust to your handling. Better to keep him close to your body than to run around free, that can come later but for now he should be held to your chest gently + firmly for 10-15 minutes per day. Hand feeding works with some but causes other dragons to bite fingers even more, expecting a treat all the time. Just be patient, hold him and he should settle in. Can you post pics of him + his set up ?

 

[kingofnobbys]

Hi there, I would try picking him up every day, very gently but firmy, and holding him to your chest. After 3=4 weeks he should be used to his new home and is now acting out, yes some fear + confusion but still needs to adjust to your handling. Better to keep him close to your body than to run around free, that can come later but for now he should be held to your chest gently + firmly for 10-15 minutes per day. Hand feeding works with some but causes other dragons to bite fingers even more, expecting a treat all the time. Just be patient, hold him and he should settle in. Can you post pics of him + his set up ?

Yep … a short period of physical contact each day …
+
when you get him out for bonding time (have some yummy food treats very handy) …. food bribes work wonders when taming / bonding with a lizard
+
when he's on your chest or tummy or lap , if you rest one of your wrists on thin half of his tail , the weight of the arm there will act as break against a curious or skittish hatchling jump off / dashing off you.
+
be ready to use the other hand as a road block - is enough to place the open hand like a wall infront of his nose to deter him from going far.

When you get him out of his tank …. NEVER chase him to grab him ….. this will reinforce his fear of you (all he'll see a 5 headed snake-monster coming to get him.
If he retreats - take the hint and leave him be, there is always another day.
If you must get him out despite his retreating from you …. I found a small stick from a tree worked a treat for hatchlings , I'd slowly move one end to where the hatchling is and slip it under it's hands/arms and chest , they instinctively hold on , and then I'd slowly lift the end with hatchling holding on and draw it to me and deposit the hatchling on my open up turned hand then place the hatchling on tummy / chest with one hand cupped over it.

My experience with hand feeding is it's a very good ritual to adopt for some of it's food every day with a new lizard …. it's worth a few accident bites and finger tip nips and they soon learn the hang of hand feeding and workout there is finger and there is food , the food is the yummy stuff....