skittish and aggressive baby

[Sierrap]

any tips for bonding with a new baby? got him about 2 weeks before christmas, wasn't very skittish when we got him, he now runs, puffs and tries to bite. we have been hand feeding some of his greens and all of his bugs. he trusts us when hes in the bath and doesn't try to bite or anything but the second he is back in his tank, hes running around like a crazy and puffing and trying to bite again. i know over time he will get better but is there something we can be doing to make it go faster? hes got a hammock, a big twisty branch with lots of hides, temps and humidity well within range, food and bugs everyday. he also gets handled several times periodically throughout the day to help him get used to us. any feedback/tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Aaradimian]

He could just be being territorial. Do you have a side or top opening vivarium? If top, do you pick him up from below his body or above? He might think you're a predator if you come at him from above, and that could be freaking him out. Otherwise, I'd just give it time.

I suppose you could also try simple repetitive training. Wear work gloves with a bit of food in them and let him bite. Sooner or later when he finds out a) biting doesn't make the hand go away and b) the hand isn't going to hurt him c) Oooh, hand=food, chances are he'll give that up. Both my beardies have been pretty chill, so I haven't had a chance to try this myself.

 

[Sierrap]

its top opening but we go down under to try to not spook him as bad. ive got the sides and back covered so it is less stressful for him to see his reflection. hes slowly getting better i think, or at least i hope. he doesn't mind hand feeding, he is really good about it actually. he just opens his mouth and puffs up. sometimes he will even hiss. is it just a male thing? is he just extra territorial because hes a male?

 

[Aaradimian]

It's possible. They're all different and it's probably just a matter of feeling things out with him. Remember, too, that we're giants compared to them, so it's not surprisng that he might be a little skittish or aggressive. He'll come around