Timid/shy beardie

[BeardieFromTheNorth]

I posted a thread here a couple weeks ago about my beardie being terrified of me. The advice given was to exercise patience and just wait it out. Since then, Kepler is still BOLTING away from me and anyone that walks through my door. He runs directly into his hide on the cool side and stays there for quite a while. I don't mind waiting for him to warm up to me, and I'm not getting impatient; I'm more so concerned that he's not getting the heat or UVB that he needs. He's eating a lot, but then he hides for most of the day. He might poop once a day. If I'm home from school, he won't typically come out to bask or do anything. Although, I have seen some progress. I can work on school from my bed and he comes out for a bit, but if I turn my head or start to get up, he's turns into speedy gonzales and runs away.

Recently, I heard from a friend who has had a beardie for the better part of a decade, that I should just grab him when he starts running away. Even if he goes into his hide, I should just dig him out and hold him for a bit. Any thoughts? I don't want to terrify the little guy more than he already is, but at the same time, I don't want him to be antisocial - do I just keep going slow with him, leaving him be and letting him get used to my movements, or is the more forceful approach the better idea?

 

[xp29]

I posted a thread here a couple weeks ago about my beardie being terrified of me. The advice given was to exercise patience and just wait it out. Since then, Kepler is still BOLTING away from me and anyone that walks through my door. He runs directly into his hide on the cool side and stays there for quite a while. I don't mind waiting for him to warm up to me, and I'm not getting impatient; I'm more so concerned that he's not getting the heat or UVB that he needs. He's eating a lot, but then he hides for most of the day. He might poop once a day. If I'm home from school, he won't typically come out to bask or do anything. Although, I have seen some progress. I can work on school from my bed and he comes out for a bit, but if I turn my head or start to get up, he's turns into speedy gonzales and runs away.

Recently, I heard from a friend who has had a beardie for the better part of a decade, that I should just grab him when he starts running away. Even if he goes into his hide, I should just dig him out and hold him for a bit. Any thoughts? I don't want to terrify the little guy more than he already is, but at the same time, I don't want him to be antisocial - do I just keep going slow with him, leaving him be and letting him get used to my movements, or is the more forceful approach the better idea?

Babies can be very timid. Try offering treat worms by hand. (hornworms or silkworms, you may have to drop them in front of him until he learns he likes them)
Don't just grab him up it will be counter productive and may make it take much longer to tame him. Try putting an article of clothing like an old t-shirt with your smell on it in his habitat. Wear if for a few hours before putting it in there. Also try getting him out at bed time and letting him fall asleep on your chest. Cover him with a very light cloth or towel but leave his head uncovered. With every beardie I've had after a few days to get used to that they start actually wanting to do it every night.
Just continue to be patient it can take some time.
Oh one other thing, I generally keep a hatchling in the living room so that it sees all the day to day living. It stresses them at first but after they get used to all the sound and movement they seem way less timid.

 

[BeardieFromTheNorth]

Babies can be very timid. Try offering treat worms by hand. (hornworms or silkworms, you may have to drop them in front of him until he learns he likes them)
Don't just grab him up it will be counter productive and may make it take much longer to tame him. Try putting an article of clothing like an old t-shirt with your smell on it in his habitat. Wear if for a few hours before putting it in there. Also try getting him out at bed time and letting him fall asleep on your chest. Cover him with a very light cloth or towel but leave his head uncovered. With every beardie I've had after a few days to get used to that they start actually wanting to do it every night.
Just continue to be patient it can take some time.
Oh one other thing, I generally keep a hatchling in the living room so that it sees all the day to day living. It stresses them at first but after they get used to all the sound and movement they seem way less timid.

I have been trying to sit near his tank and occasionally toss a meal worm near his hide. It forces him to come out a little bit if he wants it. I haven't tried hornworms because they're $3+ per worm for some reason, and I haven't seen silkworms at any of the stores I've been to yet.

Ok, thank you! My instinct has been to not snatch him up every time he runs, but I figured I would ask. Kepler used to fall asleep on one of my flannel shirts, so maybe I'll try tossing that in there and see if he likes it. I'm glad to hear you suggest taking him out at night - I stopped doing that after he began running away from me, but I'll definitely go back to doing that!

Thanks again, @xp29, your expertise is very much appreciated!

 

[xp29]

I have been trying to sit near his tank and occasionally toss a meal worm near his hide. It forces him to come out a little bit if he wants it. I haven't tried hornworms because they're $3+ per worm for some reason, and I haven't seen silkworms at any of the stores I've been to yet.

Ok, thank you! My instinct has been to not snatch him up every time he runs, but I figured I would ask. Kepler used to fall asleep on one of my flannel shirts, so maybe I'll try tossing that in there and see if he likes it. I'm glad to hear you suggest taking him out at night - I stopped doing that after he began running away from me, but I'll definitely go back to doing that!

Thanks again, @xp29, your expertise is very much appreciated!

Your very welcome
You can order hornworms and silkworms online WAY cheaper. Just make sure to get the tiny ones they grow extremely fast and will get to big to give to your little guy. You can slow down their growth a little bit keeping them cool. Most beardies will go nuts for hornworms and may start refusing other insects though.

 

[BeardieFromTheNorth]

Your very welcome
You can order hornworms and silkworms online WAY cheaper. Just make sure to get the tiny ones they grow extremely fast and will get to big to give to your little guy. You can slow down their growth a little bit keeping them cool. Most beardies will go nuts for hornworms and may start refusing other insects though.

Ah I just found some on rainbowmealworms that are much cheaper. I'll have to try them out then! Thank you!

 

[xp29]

Ah I just found some on rainbowmealworms that are much cheaper. I'll have to try them out then! Thank you!

Your welcome