juvie beardie maybe not like me?

[qronus]

i have a juvenile beardie that i got from a local store; im unsure of the exact age. though he has never tried to bite me, he always runs when i try to pick him up and will turn and open his mouth aggressively at me. just today, he actually hissed at me for the first time - i wasnt even trying to pick him up, just moving his bowl of food!

i dont know if itd go as far as to say he hates me, but he really seems to dislike being handled, which is really sad for me because i just want to love him.

is there anything i can do to maybe adjust him better to handling? he is still young and i try to hold him as much as i can, but it can be hard when he seems to hate it so much.

 

[CooperDragon]

The young ones can often take a bit of time to settle in and adjust. He will likely calm down in time. Make sure your temperatures and UVB lighting are all set up correctly and that he has some climbs and some hides in his enclosure so he has what he needs.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Sounds like he reqards his tank as his territory and is behaving in a defensive manner towards intrusions.

I helped a local boy tame his juvenile eastern water dragon who doing something similar.

Simply slipped a mealworm or a cricket in the open mouth FROM THE SIDE when doing "threat display" - was really half hearted and all bluff IMO and refused to be put off by the threats, followed up with patting and quiet calm praising - soon became calm and tame about being picked up . This will probably help , he'll come to associate being picked up with being a pleasurable experience - ie getting a food treat.

 

[qronus]

The young ones can often take a bit of time to settle in and adjust. He will likely calm down in time. Make sure your temperatures and UVB lighting are all set up correctly and that he has some climbs and some hides in his enclosure so he has what he needs.

one of the only reasons i have concern is because i have had him for maybe 2 months now, so he has had plenty time to adjust. He also never really behaved this way before. He would run but would never turn and open his mouth like that.

His temperatures and UVB are all good and he has lots of climbs and hides. Maybe hes just going through a rebellious teen stage... :lol:

 

[qronus]

Sounds like he reqards his tank as his territory and is behaving in a defensive manner towards intrusions.

I helped a local boy tame his juvenile eastern water dragon who doing something similar.

Simply slipped a mealworm or a cricket in the open mouth FROM THE SIDE when doing "threat display" - was really half hearted and all bluff IMO and refused to be put off by the threats, followed up with patting and quiet calm praising - soon became calm and tame about being picked up . This will probably help , he'll come to associate being picked up with being a pleasurable experience - ie getting a food treat.

Im convinced my boy is all bluff as well, as he has never actually gone in for the bite even when my hand is very much in range.

i will try this though! One of his favorite food is carrots, so maybe ill try to slip him some carrots time to time.

 

[qronus]

this is starting to become a bigger problem. im having troubles taking him out of his tank for important things such as baths - i really need help!

 

[kingofnobbys]

Might be baths he's protesting about. Cut them.

He may have been very roughly handled or even hurt by a human in the past and developed a fear and distrust of humans.

Only been a week or so, give him a bit more time to get used to you, and keep the food offers coming - I'm sure he'll come around eventually and will eventually come to trust and like you.