NEWBIE How long can you hold you beardie for?

[beardedfred]

I read on a website you should only hold them for 30 minutes tops, we've just got a bearded dragon and let me tell you he's awesome. He's so docile and will literally sit, lay and cuddle you.

What is the average time that you should hold him? Is there stuff to look out for when holding him? When I pet him, he closes his eyes? Is that him liking it? When taking him out the tank he lets you, he doesn't hiss or making any noices.

He also always falls asleep on me, is that natural?

 

[CooperDragon]

You can hold them for as long as you'd like. Or more accurately, however long they'll tolerate it. Some of them like it and some don't as much and will try to wiggle away to go explore. If your dragon likes being held, go for it. As long as he has enough time under his lights to bask during the day you could hold him for hours if you want to. When my first dragon was really young he'd fall asleep on my chest every night and i'd just keep him there until I went to bed. When they close their eyes while being pet I take it as they don't really like it much but will tolerate it and if they close the eye facing you, you might go away. If they really don't like it though, they'll move away or shake their head.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, many people are totally amazed at how relaxed + friendly beardies can be. It's great that you have one who is like that right from the start. A half hour is a decent amount, some are more skittish or restless + want to get away or get down to run, some will sit with their owner all day if allowed. A few things to keep in mind is that they should be in the tank for at least 2 hours in the heat to bask after a meal [ they need the heat to digest food ] Even a little longer is better. It's not good to have them out for hours because they need the heat + uvb from their tank. Another thing to avoid is carrying them on your shoulder or allowing them up high. Beardies just don't realize the distance to the floor is possibly far enough to get hurt when they jump.

One more important thing to watch for....if they begin to raise their tail a little bit and/or give a little wiggle in the hip area it means they are going to have a bowel movement, be sure you can put them back in the tank ASAP or have a folded newspaper handy to scoot under them....a paper towel is not enough. Some owners allow the beardie on tables, beds , etc and get a nasty surprise and who wants to deal with that ? :shock:

But enjoy your new dragon and post any Q's you have. EDIT....I'm a slow typer and see that Cooper also answered some of your Q's.

 

[beardedfred]

Thank you both so much!!

Aha and thank you for the tip about the tail, and the hip shake. I let him walk around an area in my carpet and got a very smelly surprise ahah.

Anyhow I'll keep all that in mind, have a great day!!!

 

[CooperDragon]

Lol yeah the butt wiggle and sudden restlessness is a very important tip to consider! When they are older they are easier to train but the little ones will sometimes just poop right on you, no offense meant on their part I'm sure. The wiggle and tail raise gives you a few seconds to move them to a more appropriate spot.

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

I'm the gross person who is unprepared and lets them poo into my cupped hand... Easier to wash my hands than the couch, my pants, my blankets, the carpet...

I hold my dragons for hours each, but it's often right before lights out so they have plenty of time to bask. The only other time they are really out prior is due to restlessness to run around (looking at you, Richter), or taking them out in to the real sun.

 

[beardedfred]

Just one more question everyone ahah, how do you know if they like something you are doing.. like petting and picking them up as such ?


Ahaha, I could not hold my hand out . I was holding my map turtle and one time I picked him up and he just straight out peed on me.. Lol

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

Frogs are the same way. Lifting them = PEE!! I always seem to forget that..

They can show distaste in different ways. If they don't like the petting they will often move away or pull away. Sometimes they will duck down, or even just close their eyes, but the eye closing isn't always indicative of displeasure. It could also be a combination of all. Sometimes start with eye closing, then squinching down, then backing up if the petting doesn't stop. Some may just flat out run off.
I love to give my little one chin rubs, but I can tell she doesn't like it because she'll lift her head up out of the petting why does she reject my love??

Regarding being held, they may get squirmy or start to darken with stress. Squirming could also just mean they are energetic and want down to go explore. What I often do is lift them out of the enclosure by scooping underneath them slowly with one hand so they can always dispute the holding by leaving my hand. If they aren't up for it, they will start to back out of my hand pretty much right away as if to say "not now, want to bask." If they remain in my hand, I take it as they accept the handling, and then remove them gently and provide more support (Richter is a 2 hander.)

 

[beardedfred]

Never had a pet frog lol, they do seem pretty cool aha, turtles hate, hate being held makes me sad but then again I just let him be. Although now every time he sees me, he's swims taste which means he wants more food and he'll follow my finger under water but that's as close as he'll be to me ahah.

Thank you, I really appreciate your advice. He's never moved away from me, or moved his head. He just tends to fall asleep on me, that's way I was thinking that he liked it aha. I'll stop doing it though, don't want to irritate him.

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

You're totally fine to continue petting/holding. If he's sleeping, he's likely content. I pet my dragons all the time and I get the double closed eye response which I interpret as "good", or they snuggle extra hard during if falling asleep.

I have a pacman, regarding peeing frogs, and he is an instant pee'r, also hates being held but I need to clean the enclosure some times.