New Owner today -

[Chuck]

Hey folks I just brought home a 1 1/2 year old BD today and he is the family pet. My daughter 5 1/2 really likes him and is delicate with him but I was a bit concerned when Spikey got scared in the 60 gallon home we bought him today. He puffed up and opened his mouth a few times.

I read a few comments not to worry about this behavior, which was my first thought but a couple of people did say their BD Lizard bit them. I did not think the BD would ever bite my kids when I bought it so I suppose I am looking for some reassurance from the experianced members.

I really love Lizards / reptiles and it has been 9 years since I have had one so I was really excited to get one again and now that we brought spikey home I was worried I may have been missinformed that there was little risk of a BD biting my kids.

Any support out there?

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[StephyJ_83]

My baby beardie has bitten me a couple of times, but it didn't hurt. I've never handled an adult that bit me, though. Spikey is probably just stressed because of the new surroundings. Give him time to acclimate to his new environment before handling him a lot. I mean, you obviously want him to be accustomed to you and your family, but he needs to feel comfortable in his new home first. I was told to keep handling to a minimum the first one or two weeks while the dragon is adjusting.

Have you read "The Bearded Dragon Manual" yet? Great book! Mine has been used a lot the past couple of months.

Good luck, welcome, and let us know how it goes!

 

[Akeath]

I've never been bitten. Beardies warn before they bite, they'll flatten, beard, and hiss. If you teach your kids to respect these warnings they'll be fine. Generally, Beardies are very gentle creatures.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks guys, I was a little freaked when the BD was so defensive but have given the guy some time to get used to his new home and also realized he would cause much less harm for my kids than another larger pet if something did go wrong. I plan on waiting until Sunday to take him out and give him a bath.

I did not get the manual on BD's but I am asking the pet store questions and reading some comments on this site. Now I am a bit worried because the BD is not eating any of the daily greens, crickets or worms (after Sunday past). I put him near his water bowl but have not seen him drink in the past 3 days.

He looks really healthy but the way the pet store described him I thought he was a huge eater. Tomorrow I will try again. Thanks again for your comments.

Chuck