Just took in a very aggressive 2 yo female

[Evilcreature]

Hello,
I'm hoping for some advice on taming a new addition. To start. I am a first time beardie owner but have read a lot and feel like ive got the details down. Her name is belle and we've had her about two months. She's 17 inches and very well fed. When she's in her enclosure she seems content and we don't have any health concerns. She eats almost everything, live cricks, horn worms, freeze dried cricks, soft supplements, pellets, yany greens we give her, and she's a downright chubster.
However, things go very wrong anytime I attempt to handle her. She hisses, and bites if I press the issue. I've got her enclosure set up well, fresh uvb and basking lamps, lots of climbing space, a hideaway, temp zones from 76 to 100 degrees. Alternate vitamins and calcium. She's in a quiet spot. I just feel like forcing her to be with me makes the issue worse.

I'm a patient guy, but I want to make sure I'm not doing more harm than good. Any advice on gaining her trust and getting her social would be wonderful.
Thanks all,

Kevin.

 

[GizmosGrammie]

You could try holding right at lights out when she's less active. Make sure you are supporting all of her legs. Maybe try wearing soft mittens to save your hands & fingers & immediately place her in a soft towel or small fleece blanket & wrap her up like a burrito. I bought thin fleece blankets at Big Lots & cut them into fourths, perfect beardie size. Good luck, hopefully if your patient & persistent she'll come around.

 

[staylor867]

Although I've never had an aggressive beardie, I have read upon the issue, and holding after lights out is a very good idea. Also, I have read that keeping an article of your clothing in a section of the cage is a good idea, because she is able to get used to your sent. Who knows the kind of stress, or environment she has been in before you. It could be her personality ( which is unlikely because beardies are docile), or she could have had a very bad encounter with a human that left a lasting impact on her. It is heartbreaking that she feels threatened, but giving her space when she wants it( ex: when she is hiding), patience and slowly introducing yourself should help her see you are no threat.

 

[MichaelO]

This might sound silly to you as I find it hilarious when she does it. My wife plays music and sings and Finn will go hunting for her. i had Finn out in our living room and my wife was singing with her headphones on while she was cleaning the kitchen. Well I could see Finns clock her head up to the side and move towards the door. She stopped in the hall to check again and then made her way into the kitchen where my wife was. Turns out Beardies love music. So now we put some songs on our phones when we have her out. Doesn't seem to like Metallica lol. Try some soft songs while you are feeding, not too loud though.