My awful biting dragon):

[kitkat101]

My beardie was being a sweetheart lately but the last 2 days he has been a firebreathing maniac I barely put my hand in the tank and he opens his mouth to bite me, he actually bit me twice and would cling onto my finger! Why is he doing this? I have been sooo gentle!!

 

[noella5088]

So sorry that your beardie's biting you. It could be a 'teenage rebellion' if he's a Juvie.

 

[RandyMarsh]

put food in his mouth when he opens it. then when you surprise him that way grab him quickly while he's still all nom nomming

 

[AMHaak]

Do you feed him while he is in the tank? If so this maybe why. Some times (and no not all beardies do this) when you feed them in the tank then they think everytime you stick your hand in the tank your going to have food and that maybe why he has his mouth open at you. When my beardie has his really hungry days he does this to me.

My beardie also does not like to be touched when he is starting to shed, and he trys to bite me. He achually did this to me the other day.

The other reason could be that you startled him so he went into "fight" mode.

Hope this helps a little bit.

angie

 

[tgolden]

Something else to remember is when you go to pick him up come from the side, never above him. It is instinctive for them to be wary of anything above them due to predators.
~tommie

 

[kitkat101]

Do you feed him while he is in the tank? If so this maybe why. Some times (and no not all beardies do this) when you feed them in the tank then they think everytime you stick your hand in the tank your going to have food and that maybe why he has his mouth open at you. When my beardie has his really hungry days he does this to me.

My beardie also does not like to be touched when he is starting to shed, and he trys to bite me. He achually did this to me the other day.

The other reason could be that you startled him so he went into "fight" mode.

Hope this helps a little bit.

angie

My beardie is starting to shed...maybe that's why!

 

[RandyMarsh]

Do you feed him while he is in the tank? If so this maybe why. Some times (and no not all beardies do this) when you feed them in the tank then they think everytime you stick your hand in the tank your going to have food and that maybe why he has his mouth open at you. When my beardie has his really hungry days he does this to me.

My beardie also does not like to be touched when he is starting to shed, and he trys to bite me. He achually did this to me the other day.

The other reason could be that you startled him so he went into "fight" mode.

Hope this helps a little bit.

angie

My beardie is starting to shed...maybe that's why!

yeah they get SUPER bratty when they start shedding. I can understand that though, if all my uncomfortable places started itching and peeling i'd be in a pretty bad mood too hehe

 

[kitkat101]

Do you feed him while he is in the tank? If so this maybe why. Some times (and no not all beardies do this) when you feed them in the tank then they think everytime you stick your hand in the tank your going to have food and that maybe why he has his mouth open at you. When my beardie has his really hungry days he does this to me.

My beardie also does not like to be touched when he is starting to shed, and he trys to bite me. He achually did this to me the other day.

The other reason could be that you startled him so he went into "fight" mode.

Hope this helps a little bit.

angie

My beardie is starting to shed...maybe that's why!

yeah they get SUPER bratty when they start shedding. I can understand that though, if all my uncomfortable places started itching and peeling i'd be in a pretty bad mood too hehe

Yahh cause he was much better after a few days I had him, then I noticed some peeling and he has been a brat since xD But I still love hiim! Hehee

 

[AMHaak]

Hopefully once he sheds he should be back to him old self.

angie

 

[Goonie]

[Moved from General to Behavior]

 

[devilangel]

ive only had my bearded dragon a week and i was nervous to touch him at first as im a new owner and he is ove 12 months,at first i was very very gentle as i was scared he would bite me,but i think he sensed my fear..so i showed him im the boss and im also his care giver and showed no fear...he loves me now and doesnt try to bite,he still trys to act like the boss if i stand over him,his beard turning black..but hes just a big teddy bear really..all talk no action..
dont let him make you nervous or panic..just keep at it..cos eventualy it works.

 

[tgolden]

Don't stand over him he thinks your a predator . that is y he is puffing up. In the wild predators come down from the sky so dragons a wary of things above him. Always come from the side so he can see there its no danger

 

[kitkat101]

If you can't reach into the tank to grab him from the top, since he thinks your a predator, how do you grab him from the side in a tank???

 

[tgolden]

Go at him from the left or right

 

[popsmoke63B]

It would help out alot; for beardies, that is, if the 40gal+ enclosures that open from the front were priced more reasonably! It can be a little difficult to pick them up from the side in a standard aquarium, but it can be accomplished...not easily though.