two new dragons, skiddish and scared

[saxondragon]

I have two new dragons I got off craigslist. Male/female they were in a 20gal tank for a year. They are year and half supposedly. There was substrate and lots of climgin branches and two big water dishes - so basically no place to just lay down on the floor.

I don't think they are used to human hands. I gave each one a bath to get some grime off and were scared witless of water. I didn't put nearly as much as I use with my Saxon dragon, who loves to lounge and fall asleep (lazy sod).

Currently they are in a big box (about three times the tank size).

I need tips on how to get them to be more comfortable with humans.

Thanks.

 

[Goonie]

Persistance is key. Start a daily routine with the new pair, almost like having a schedule set up and follow it for about a week (try not to deviate from the way you take care of them). Once they're used to how things are on a daily basis, they'll calm down a bit and won't feel so threatened by you.

As for being scared of the water, that might and might not go away. I used to have two males and one was always petrified of the bath, where the other couldn't care less.

The best time to pick them up is at night, when they're tired and not as feisty but not completely asleep. They need to understand that you're not going to hurt them by picking them up. Wrap them up, separately, in a towel or one of your shirts (so they'd relate to your scent), but not too tight - this is what we call a "beardie burrito". This way they won't risk falling off. They will fight you the first few times, but they'll soon get used to it.

Good luck and keep us posted on how they do.

 

[saxondragon]

Okay good. I'll keep the bath routine up then. And let them relax a bit and then pick them up before I turn off their lights and wrap them in separate beardies (one out at a time though!)

I can't create much of a routine as I would like. I have class Mon/Tues nights and I'm in the process of moving. But I will cut up a short after I've worn it to let them get some sent tonight. I'm short they wouldn't mind a cushy area.

Thanks!

(I'm going to be posting most updates on the rescue area, hopefully whoever adopts one or both will keep it up for a while. I really want a good home for them.)