My Beardie is Starting to Snap at Me

[PensBurgh]

I've been trying to hold my beardie so that he gets used to me. I've had him for probably 4 month now and he's a juvenile. He always tries to squirm away every time I hold him. I only hold him for 5-10 minutes at a time because once I didn't catch him when he squirmed away and he jumped off the chair onto the floor (he's okay). When I put him back into the tank I give him a treat, normally a wax worm but I have to drop it in there, he will never take anything from my hand. Recently when I'm holding him, he tries to bite me now. I try to pet him and keep him on a blanket so he feels more secure but nothing is working. I don't want him to never like to be held. I hope maybe he will grow out of this. Does anyone else have any issues like this? Does he have stess lines as well? I have a 50w heat bulb in his tank now. Should I upgrade to a 75-100w?

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

I think he needs some more TLC.
If you've have him 4 months and had only been holding him 5-10 minutes at a time, he likely isn't comfortable with you and is scared.

Where is the tank located?
Is he in a busy room that he an see you often? If not, please relocate him to where you most spend your time so he can observe you.

Build a routine with him.
Wake up and try offering food by hand for breakfast. If he doesn't take, give him about 10 minutes and offer again. Eventually he'll get hungry enough to take it.

Talk to him often
I talk to my dragons all the time, and they respond by making eye contact or getting excited for potential nummies.

Handle him most at night
I feel like my fail-proof idea has always been handle them around bedtime. They are a lot more sluggish and willing to just settle down. Hold him gently to your chest as you watch TV or read and allow him to fall asleep on you, and hold him for quite some time after that.

Leave a recently worn T-shirt in the enclosure as a bed
Association by smell


For comparison, I hold my dragons for likely 2hrs each per day, separately, but I understand not everyone has that option. I also take my dragons to bed with me and often have one lay on my chest til I'm ready to turn in, put them securely in their "bed", and sleep.

I think his issue is fear and he hasn't been handled enough to know your purpose.

 

[PensBurgh]

I think he needs some more TLC.
If you've have him 4 months and had only been holding him 5-10 minutes at a time, he likely isn't comfortable with you and is scared.

Where is the tank located?
Is he in a busy room that he an see you often? If not, please relocate him to where you most spend your time so he can observe you.

Build a routine with him.
Wake up and try offering food by hand for breakfast. If he doesn't take, give him about 10 minutes and offer again. Eventually he'll get hungry enough to take it.

Talk to him often
I talk to my dragons all the time, and they respond by making eye contact or getting excited for potential nummies.

Handle him most at night
I feel like my fail-proof idea has always been handle them around bedtime. They are a lot more sluggish and willing to just settle down. Hold him gently to your chest as you watch TV or read and allow him to fall asleep on you, and hold him for quite some time after that.

Leave a recently worn T-shirt in the enclosure as a bed
Association by smell


For comparison, I hold my dragons for likely 2hrs each per day, separately, but I understand not everyone has that option. I also take my dragons to bed with me and often have one lay on my chest til I'm ready to turn in, put them securely in their "bed", and sleep.

I think his issue is fear and he hasn't been handled enough to know your purpose.

He is in the my bedroom now. I'm always going in there and talking to him and petting him. I'll defiantly try everything you've suggested! Thank you so much! I never thought of holding him at night. I do have somewhat of a routine with him, I turn his lights on at 7am, give him fresh veggies and crickets. When I come home from work I give him some superworms and spray him with a water bottle. I try giving him a bath about 2-3 times a week. He drinks a lot of water when I take him in the bath. Ill put my shirt in there when I get home! Thanks again!

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

No problem, hope it helps!
I just had to recently tame a new baby dragon. They will always be a little handful as babies, but shouldn't be snapping or anything aggressive. I always hold mine after lights out, or right before lights out and cover their head with my hand to help induce drifting to sleep instead of wanting to go play.

I'd be a little careful with the superworms until he's older, or about 16" in length. They're hard on their digestion (the exoskeleton does not digest) and babies are pretty vulnerable to impaction.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

A shirt or a nice fleece blankie with your scent in his tank would help. Definitely hold him at night & let him go to sleep on you works very well!
Perhaps he is just acting out, trying to tell you he wants more attention, like a kid would do.
I hope he warms up to you soon.

Tracie