Mean, Aggressive Dragon Out of the Blue?

[hannicharlophi]

I have three bearded dragons- one is a female (who's brumating) and two males. I have one male whose 2 1/2 years old and one whos about 10 months old and approximately 16" .

I have them all in my bedroom- my male juvie has watched the male adult without a care in the world since I got him.

Today I took my male juvie out, who before today he never even showed a black beard. I hold him twice daily and we cuddle. I have been checking out his belly due to a medium size yellow spot that has been there for about 4 months and has not gotten better or worse. Frankly, I doubt its yellow fungus- but I am not sure.

As I am looking at his belly, He quickly scratches me and tries to take off- almost jumping off the bed. I had no choice but to grab his tail then grab his body. He tenses up and spreads his body. As I turn to look at him, He has a pitch black beard, wild eyes and is hissing and trying to bite me while trying to wiggle out. At first I thought Hannibal (my older male) must have scared him or angered him and he bolted. I wrapped him up in a towel to calm him down and started petting his head-this worked but only for a minute. As I got up to put him back in cage he opened his mouth again and tried to bite me (while hissing and black bearding me).

I have no idea in the world happened! I have had him for months and he has been one of the nicest, calmest beardies. Today, he just turned into the exorcist. Right now, his black beard has gone but but hes hyperventilating a bit and staring at me through the glass...

I don't know what to do, what has caused this and frankly, I am scared to pick him up again! Any suggestions or comments would help!!!!

 

[LJean]

It could be his age. The hormones can go a bit wacky.

 

[MissT]

Yes, hormones are crazy - im currently struggling with the hormones of my 6 month old male!!!! Hes turned into a proper crazy man!! Black beard, head bobbing, hissing and hyperventilating - pretty average evening in my house atm!!!

Perhaps you just startled him in your panic to get him - hence his sudden defensive attitude!!

 

[hannicharlophi]

Yeah, I was horrified. I would expect that from my rescue but not from him. What do you guys do with these 'teenage' beardies? Handling wise etc.

 

[Artieboo]

I would like to know as well...as my 1yr old dragon just started doing this to me a few minutes ago...just sitting in his case, i opened the lid to get him out and he instantly doubled in size, black beard, hissing, snapping at me...all this and nothing had changed...he had been awake for about an hour or so...did he wake up on the wrong side of the rock? or is this something more? I would greatly appreciate any help to the original post, best of luck to you and yours.

 

[Ethelia]

I dont know if this works for re-taming beardies but it cant hurt to tell you ^_^

my rescue dragon had never been handled, and although she never hissed/puffed she would go to bite me and PANIC if i tried to hold her.
I used the following tricks that helped her settle down:
- put your hand in her tank, flat, but dont touch her. she'll see your not there to grab her.
- once youve done for a day or so start hand feeding her (wriggley mealworms work best) if she goes to bite you. be brave and try not to flinch. just raise your hand up and remove the food. she'll soon learn biting isnt a good idea.
- then go for handling her again but do it an hour or so after lights out when she'll be sleepy and bored of fighting. if she doesnt like the beardie burito try wearing a dressing gown. Dexter loves mine.

and repeat!