Reptarr is pissed!

[Tarr]

passed week everytime I try to handle him he bites me before I can even touch him.. it doesn't hurt hes only drawn blood three times so its not too bad..

It doesn't have anything to do with shedding.. he did that last week (full body)
he has clean cage
Uvb reptiglo 10.0
temp 80.. basking spot 95.
food.. kale, carrots (chopped very well), apples (non-peal), meal worms, crickets.. all dust with calcium.. meal worms are an everyday thing.
distilled water..
his cage is cleaned..

his beard doesn't flare black like when hes mad.. it turn yellow like hes playing around.. hes always bright color and happy.. just won't let me touch him anymore???

 

[LJean]

How long have you had him? Many times they get scared when you come in from the top of the tank and pick them up. Have you tried sliding your hand underneath him first? Maybe leaving your hand in the tank while you talk to him sometimes, without picking him up.

I'm not a lot of help because Calypso bites sometimes too.

You might want to raise the basking temperature a bit. Closer to 105 for a baby dragon. Don't give too many meal worms at once.

 

[nikkicostello89]

You need to switch your UVB off as well. The repti-GLO light is harmful to their eyes and can cause other problems with activity and lethargy as well. Change to either a repti-SUN 10.0 or a MVB, MVB's are the best, they provide heat and UV in one bulb, and they are the closest UV rays to the sun you can get. They improve behaviour, appetite and colouring. They are slightly more expensive, but they last twice as long (12 months rather than 6).

Also, mealworms aren't very nutritious, they contain hardly any protein, and can also cause impaction from their hard chitilin shell. Try phoenix worms instead, they contain their own calcium so don't require dusting and they're probably the most nutritious feeder you can get for a young dragon.

As for the biting...has he always done this? Or is this something that has developed? Does he do it to everyone? Or just you? if it's just you, try putting a worn t'shirt of yours into his viv so he gets used to your scent. Also, about 10 minutes after lights out (once he's cooled and calmed down) take him out of his viv and wrap him in a piece of fleece or towelling, or even a cloth, and hold him on your chest, if he stays there without getting skittish, then keep him for 20-30 mins then place him back in his viv asleep. Do this everynight until he stops biting you. Most people do this everynight or most nights anyway, as it's a lovely bonding time for us and them!

Hope this helps, Let us know how it goes.

Nikki

 

[starhead86]

As painful and annoying as it may be I would try to hold on to him even if he's biting you. If every time you pick him up he bites and you put him back, he will learn that when he wants to be put down just to bite you which is no good. When we first got king he wouldn't let us hold him. He never bit us, but would puff up open his mouth hiss a little. We would start picking him up over his cage so if he made a jump for it he wouldn't get hurt and when he would open his mouth and puff up his beard we would just lightly pet his beard to let him know that it wasn't really scary to us. Eventually he just gave up and he hasn't shown any aggression since.

 

[Ethelia]

Hi there,
I adopted an adult beardie who'd been attacked by others and had never been handled. If I put my hand near her Dex would go to bite me, and managed to quite a few times, and PANIC if i tried to hold her (jump, squirm, scratch, puff, hiss etc). But I assure you nothing is more rewarding than taming your beardie, you gain a real bond when you've had to 'fight for it'.

I used the following tricks that helped her settle down:
- put your hand in her tank, flat, but dont touch her. she'll see your not there to grab her. do this every now and then for a day or so.
- once youve done for a while start only hand feeding her (wriggley mealworms/waxworms work best). If she goes to bite you be brave and try not to flinch, just raise your hand up and remove the food. she'll soon learn biting isnt a good idea.
- then go for handling her again but do it an hour or so after lights out when she'll be sleepy and bored of fighting. at this time you can try the 'beardie burrito'. this involves wrapping your beardie in a blanket/towel like a newborn baby and laying them on your chest. if she doesnt like the beardie burito try wearing a dressing gown, alot of beardies enjoy softness. Dexter loved mine.
- when you begin to start trying to handle your little one during daytime id get her out, and let her run around near you, like on the bed or on the dlorr in a room (close the door and make sure all gaps are blocked with cushions/pillows). She'll get used to just being near you and learning that your not big and scary. Also if she runs around exploring she'll tire herself out and so will be more submissive when you finally pick her up.
- when handling in this taming period make sure your not wearing any strong aftershave and that you dont smell like food.
- it also often helps alot to find an old item of clothing of yours which smells like you (or cut a chunk out of it) and leave it in the tank. This way she will become used to your smell in a non threatening manner.
and repeat!

Although you might end up getting a few scratches as she squirms to run away it is VERY important not to just put her down if she struggles. She will learn that fighting gets her her own way and will make the process longer and harder.
It can be hard work but I promise its possible to 'tame a beast'.
My girl was very agressive when I rescued her, but she turned into the most loving affectionate girl who filled my life with joy.

Be patient.
Keep the faith.

Holly

 

[Tarr]

my basking temperature will rise when the weather gets better and I can't take Reptarr outside right now.. its 15 degrees and snowing..
he just lately developed this stage.. i think it has to do with one night he was half asleep and he started to twitch.. not like a comfortable wiggle.. like a seizure twitch and i tried to pick him up ever since hes wanted to bite me.
as for the Phoenix worms.. how much do they cost? can i find them at wilco? or petsmart?

 

[nikkicostello89]

I think you have to order them online...i'm in the UK...so i'm not too hot on US products...But i think it's mulberryfarm.com that you can order them from!

Nikki