I just bought my baby this past Sunday and estimate that he is around three, maybe four months old. He had previously been returned to the pet store for feeding issues but they said he had been doing better for about two weeks. He appeared to be a bit older than all the other dragons they had available and due to a change in policy, I wasn't able to hold him before purchasing to see how he did with handling and what his personality was like. After bringing him home he seemed like he was adjusting fine. He did not particularly like being held the first two days but wasn't aggressive. His eating is normal, temperature - fine, humidity - fine, he has a hide, a place to bask, a dish for veggies and water, he has a custom hammock from Etsy on the way, etc. Yesterday I went to handle him (I have been doing short increments every day - about 15 minutes or so) and he was behaving aggressively and actually tried to bite me several times. My husband went to handle him this evening and the same thing, except this time he successfully bit my husband. We were shocked since he is so little and since it is pretty uncommon (or at least we thought) for bearded dragons to bite. I am wondering if the previous owner, before returning him, just failed to handle/socialize him. Is this normal? Not normal? A bad indication of his personality? I've had reptiles all my life but this is my first bearded dragon and I am pretty bummed that this is happening. I knew there would be some adjustment/apprehension for a while but didn't think there would be aggression or biting. Need some advice, please!!
I'm going to suggest you stop handling him for a week or two. Give him a chance to get used to his new surroundings.
Stick with hand feeding and gentle touches but no picking up.
If he does act aggressive or bites, ignore it and continue with what you were doing. If he learns biting will make you go away, it will be harder to stop.