New beardie shy when eating, any tips

[mtpruis3]

Hi guys, just looking for any tips or tricks to try an warm by baby beardie up to me. He is very alert an will hault all action when I am in the room with him, he just watches me. I figure since he has only been with me for a week it's mostly just relocation stress an adjusting, but it's particularly difficult when feeding the little guy. I'll drop 2-3 crickets into his enclosure an he will just watch me, I have to stay back an perfectly still for about 5min then he will eat the bugs, I'll put more feeders in an we will repeat the process!

Any tips or tricks to get him more comfortable around me that I can start practicing with him whilst he feeds? Thanks guys.

 

[kbkels]

Hi! I'm pretty much in the same boat. I have had my beardie for a little over a week now, and from the get-go I have been taking her out of her tank 2-3 times a day, depending on how squirmy she is ill keep her out from 15 minutes to over an hour. Typically, she will fall asleep in the pouch of my hoodie when I sit to watch TV if it is late enough at night, and the other night she was so deeply asleep that I wasn't sure she was still alive So that is what I have been doing to have her warm up to me. I have also noticed she is a shy eater, but it is a new thing that I have noticed. When I first got her, she would chase crickets and worms and wouldn't mind eating while I was there. Now, it seems she wont eat in front of me, but I know she is eating at some point because her worms and crickets are disappearing. For my case, I am just assuming that I am giving her food soon after she decides to eat the previously offered food. In your case, I suggest handling her often so she is used to you. When you handle your beardie, you can't be shy or timid or hesitant, just pick her up like your the owner you are. I would imagine that once she/he is used to you and your company, they wont be as distracted by you when you come around. Some thing else I do is I set up a little lounge chair with my laptop set up so when ever I am on my computer, I am sitting right next to her tank so she can see me and maybe will feel more comfortable with me around.

Also, hand feeding him/her worms will help have them warm up to you, and also getting into a daily routine of handling will help. My routine is in the morning, around 9, I go to her tank, pick her up and put her in my hoodie pocket or my shoulder, then I take her food dishes to the kitchen and give her fresh greens and worms. I change her water too and put her dishes back in her tank. Then I take her in my hand and hold her while I go about my morning business. When she starts to squirm and get explorative, I put her back just so I don't lose her by accident. Then, later int he afternoon I'll take her out again and dump some crickets into her tank. Again, I hold her for as long as I can until she starts to squirm. Then at night (Like around 9 or 10) when she is sleepy, I take her out a 3rd time and have her rest in my pocket (and I put my hand over her to keep her warm) and watch TV. I usually sit for a couple episodes of a TV show and then put her back after, and then I go to bed. I have been doing this routine since the day I got her, so she is familiar with it and with me. It is also a good way to tell if she wants to come out or stay in, because now she has gotten into the habit of hiding in her shady area in the evening, which says to me that she doesn't feel like coming out. Typically, you shouldn't force your beardie out of their tank if they are trying to get some privacy.

 

[Taterbug]

Lots of handling can be really stressful, esp for little ones still adjusting. I personally would keep handling to a minimum while the baby adjusts and until after its feeding regularly. Some adjust to handling right away, but other may find it terrifying. Fear can put them off their food, and we are really huge and scary and they may start associating you with scary things rather than good things. Long periods out of their enclosure also prevent them from thermoregulating.

You may be able to try tong feeding, so that he associates you with food but doesn't have to worry about big hands coming at him, but it may also just take lots of patience.