Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well we have had Spaz now for approx 5 mos. We are getting alittle concerned with his temperment/attitude. When you first enter his enclosure with your hand (even with food dish) he starts running and trying to climb the walls. Sometimes he will even rush you and bite quick and let go, then head bob like crazy. If you leave your hand in there a few minutes (2-4) he calms down and lets you stroke him without issue and will even step up onto your hand. Also if you pick him up/catch him while he is freaking out he stops immediatly. Once out of the enclosure you don't have to hold him he will just lay on your hand or arm awhile then he will climb around on us untill he finds a place on your arm or shoulder that he lays down on.
I know everyone says they calm down around 2 yrs of age but don't they calm down at all before. We interact with him daily and handle him a 3-4 times per week. Any other ideas or just wait for the two year mark? Here is a few pics from a month or so ago.

Sounds pretty typical to me. I have raised two of these guys, one rhino and one hybrid. I had pick of the litter on the rhino and picked the tamest one who never had a problem with hands in the cage. But the hybrid? WOW, she was psycho until you got her out of the cage, then she was fine. This lasted until she was nearly 2 years old. At about 18-19 mo of age I started letting her freeroam here in my computer room and it was like magic. She tamed down almost overnight. it is something to do with the big hand coming into the cage and they have no escape.

Keep doing what you are doing. Handle daily. And if you can give her some "out time" in a safe area it will help out. (perhaps she is too small right now tho) Keep up the handling. It will all be worth while in the end. I remember being VERY frustrated. Ask Jiffypop sometime how frustrated I was. But my hybrid was literally dog tame at 3 years old. After being a FREAK early on.

Carole
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