New Beardie questions

[SunnysHumanSlave]

So I have a question about Macklemore. Since i got him 2 days ago i have taken him out to soak and i have out my hand in the cage to try and get him to eat. He basks and watches me but today he kinda hid between his rock and the wall when my grandma and i and my dads wife were in the room. Is it stressing him out should i cover the cage? Or is he just being a but shy? How long should i not handle him unless i need too?

 

[sarahecrisp]

It will take a new beardie awhile to get used to his home- he's probably very stressed right now. I would probably advise to keep his tank somewhere that doesn't get a lot of in and our traffic....Some people say to wait 2 weeks to handle them, but I would just wait a few days. A really great trick to get them used to your hand and other's is to put their favorite treat on your hand inside their tank (mine loves mealworms), and they will get used to jumping on your hand to eat it, and thus realize hands are not a threat.

 

[kcarello]

Hey Sarah, mealworms are terrible for dragons,,,great risk of impaction...please do not feed him anymore...and Sunny'sHumanSlave,,,be patient..but persistant.

 

[SunnysHumanSlave]

I thought mealworms were okay after a certain length as a treat.

 

[kcarello]

Nope, superworms are great once they are 16 inches and above. Mealworms cause too great a risk of impaction. Waxworms are great for treats.

 

[SunnysHumanSlave]

Oh okay.