My new beardie called duke

[rtf2605]

Hey there. i am lookin for some advice. I have had my beardie for two days now. i never handled him on the first day as instructed by the seller. The beardie is about 12weeks old.
I had duke out today and he seemed settled was running on my hand an on my tshirt.he was opening his mouth and sticking his tounge out, does that mean anything.
When i put him back in his viv he did the arm waving thing does that mean he was scared.
He is still not eating to much just had one cricket and has taken a fair bit of green though.
is it ok to leave the cricket in the cage till it is eaten.
whats the best tips for getting the beardies used to being handled?
Thanks
Raymond

 

[honpup]

He was opening his mouth as a sign of agression only because he is not use to you! Arm waving is a sign of submission! You can leave a cricket in but not over night as they can nibble on your beardie! Stroke him while in your viv and talk to him dont rush it as he is new to his viv handling him for short times til he calms down!

 

[Neromom39]

Hi Raymond,

Welcome to the site. I will try to answer your questions based on my experiences, however I'm sure that one of the more experienced posters will be along shortly to provide more educated answers.

Normally when they open there mouths like that it is to typically thermoregulate (cool-off) however since he was outside of his viv and with you and sticking his tongue out, he may have been startled. My beardies do that to me as a warning that they do not like something. Especially my little female.

The arm waving is a gesture of submission. It is natural for them do to it in the presence of other dragons, female to male, smaller to larger. Perhaps he thinks you are a big beardie :lol:

If he doesn't eat his cricket soon, you should definitely remove it. If you have items in your beardies viv that have hiding spaces, I would seriously consider feeding him his live feeders outside of his viv. Crickets love to hide and they will come out at night and possibly nibble on your little guy causing him undue stress. Just a suggestion.

And as far as getting him used to being handled.... Patience and consistency. If he is super active during the day and you find it hard to pick him up (from underneath of course, never from above), then try to handle him after he calms down after lights out. He won't be so apt to struggle and he will quickly learn that you mean him no harm.

I hope that I helped.

 

[rtf2605]

thanks thats helpfull. i hope that i have not stressed i will remove the crickets if he doesnt eat them. thanks again