Trying to handle beardie for first time

[Polarthief]

Today is my 8th day owning my ~6 week old, Nozzy, and I've tried multiple times to handle him to no avail, and now he's even tried to bite (or rather 'nip') my hand. My problem mostly lies in my viv being a 40G on top of a dresser and only being able to open from the top, I'm also only of average height, so I have to use a stepladder to get a good grip on anything inside, so every time I need to put something in/take something out or to attempt to handle him, it's always from above.

Any advice on how to finally let the little guy know I just want to hold/love him properly? Nearly every time I try, he either opens his mouth (maybe thinking my finger is a worm), runs away, sometimes lets me pet him then flees, or just hides, and it's really breaking my heart that I can't bond with him at all!

 

[CooperDragon]

It sounds like patience will win this one. If it has only been a week, relocation stress could still be in play. It also sounds like you don't have much choice but to come in from the top which may scare him. I would try a little at a time. Try feeding some phoenix worms by hand. Watch him through the glass for a while so he's used to seeing you. I've heard of putting a worn shirt inside the tank to get them used to your smell, but don't have any personal experience with that. As you reach in I would try just opening your palm in front of him for a while. Try picking up his front feet with your hand and then the back feet so they're always touching something. If you can approach from the front, slowly, it may help. I think in time Nozzy will get used to you and enjoy time with you, but it will take more than a week. Maybe more than a month. It varies and I can't say for sure.

 

[alreadytaken]

Im having similar problems as you at the moment. Im able to come in from infrontof him. I always make sure to have my hand below his head when I reach to him. Ive had good luck handfeeding him phoenix worms and kale. I hold it about 6 inches from him and let him come to me. Been doing that for the last week or so right before giving him his bowl of food. Still tries biting when i go to pick him up though.

 

[Polarthief]

To be fair, he has gone through a shedding as of a few nights ago (and just finished everything today), and resumed eating today as well. I figured he was settled in as he doesn't seem to be afraid at all until I try to get near him. I've also tried an open palm and only approaching from his front, to no results.

He sees me for HOURS AND HOURS a day as he sits behind my computer chair and I'm typically at my desk most of every day, so I'm sure he's used to seeing me by now, I guess he just doesn't know my intentions, and yes, I spend plenty of time just watching and looking at him, though I don't think he really likes it when I do as he'll usually try to look away or close his eyes forcefully.

I actually haven't tried giving him any prey outside of crickets, so I'll look into getting some worms for him.

Can it actually take up to a month before you get to first handle them? He was completely fine Day 1 and at the pet shop, but ever since he spent his first night in the tank, he hasn't really let me hold him since.

Still tries biting when i go to pick him up though.

He's actually only tried to bite me once. About 10m ago was the first time he actually nipped at me (though I pulled my hand away before he tried)

 

[CooperDragon]

They don't tend to bite out of aggression. They'll puff up and step back and forth (and maybe hiss) if they are aggressive. The nipping is more likely mistaking your hand for food. Others have had good luck using feeding tongs for a while to disassociate fingers from food, but I know that's kind of opposite of what I suggested before.

 

[Polarthief]

I've actually never used my fingers/hands to feed him. The crickets I keep in a keeper that has plastic tubes (which are especially helpful for the squeamish-to-bugs people like myself).

I guess I'll just keep at it every so often. *shrug*

 

[Taterbug]

To be fair, he has gone through a shedding as of a few nights ago (and just finished everything today), and resumed eating today as well. I figured he was settled in as he doesn't seem to be afraid at all until I try to get near him. I've also tried an open palm and only approaching from his front, to no results.

He sees me for HOURS AND HOURS a day as he sits behind my computer chair and I'm typically at my desk most of every day, so I'm sure he's used to seeing me by now, I guess he just doesn't know my intentions, and yes, I spend plenty of time just watching and looking at him, though I don't think he really likes it when I do as he'll usually try to look away or close his eyes forcefully.

I actually haven't tried giving him any prey outside of crickets, so I'll look into getting some worms for him.

Can it actually take up to a month before you get to first handle them? He was completely fine Day 1 and at the pet shop, but ever since he spent his first night in the tank, he hasn't really let me hold him since.

Still tries biting when i go to pick him up though.

He's actually only tried to bite me once. About 10m ago was the first time he actually nipped at me (though I pulled my hand away before he tried)

It really sounds like he isn't comfortable yet. Your still scary to him, he is very young. Little ones aren't as mellow as older ones, they are prey in the wild so are flighty and skittish.

Is there anyway to make it easier to access his tank? Like a smaller shelf or even the floor? If you are more comfortable in reaching in, you can interact with his environment, instead if him directly and let him get used to your presence.

 

[Polarthief]

It really sounds like he isn't comfortable yet. Your still scary to him, he is very young. Little ones aren't as mellow as older ones, they are prey in the wild so are flighty and skittish.

Is there anyway to make it easier to access his tank? Like a smaller shelf or even the floor? If you are more comfortable in reaching in, you can interact with his environment, instead if him directly and let him get used to your presence.

I might have to put him in another room if that's the end-all. Also, I know I'm still scary, but I don't want him to grow up with minimal handling because won't he grow up to be a bit meaner and resentful towards me?

 

[Taterbug]

It's not an end all, just an idea. He'll get more used to you having you around for sure it may just take him time. He'll be growing pretty fast and you'll probably find he calms down as he gets bigger and more confident.

My first dragon never got handled because he was a very skittish baby, his previous owner was worried he'd get lost or hurt. We got him when he was six and he was a sweet heart.

I wouldn't worry about him developing a nasty attitude unless he starts showing signs of aggression (chasing your hand to bite it, hissing, bearding and tail whipping). Gaping, puffing up, closing the eyes and running away are defensive behaviors. Some folks have luck with giving a little bit of greens when the baby gapes defensively, it distracts them.

 

[Polarthief]

Oh I just meant if it comes to that because it'll be a huge hassle/safety risk to get it off the dresser with him still in it (since I can't remove him to safely put him somewhere in a worst-case-scenario). I also don't think he's ever eaten the greens we've given him, but I'll give it a try if you think he might eat it if I get that close.

 

[Taterbug]

He's little enough he probably isn't interested in veggies on his own. But if he takes to opening his mouth to hiss at you, pop a little bite in or even a insect. You had mentioned he tried nipping, maybe it would distract/confuse him.

 

[Polarthief]

He definitely took an interest to a few strawberry pieces as a treat; I could tell he really WANTED to eat it, as it probably smelled sweet, but he never actually went for it.

Mom's so adamant to get him to eat a piece of strawberry right now; she's like cheering him on and putting pieces super-close to him.

 

[CooperDragon]

Sometimes they like to eat the green leaves on the top of the strawberries too.

 

[Dante]

beardies can eat some strawberries? hmmm never new that

 

[Polarthief]

beardies can eat some strawberries? hmmm never new that

Yes, but not as a staple. Fruits are treats.