Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi guys i was wondering if anyone can give me some advice ive got a 6 month old male beardie who is very agressive!the 1st three weeks i had him he was lovely(6 weeks old then) and then one day when i went to pick him up he was hissing etc i thought he was just bluffing but hes got that bad that yesterday he actually bit me.I was so shocked as you should never bite the hand that feeds you lol.i really dont know what to do ive taken him to the vets and he cant explain it id be happy for some tips.............
his viv is
3n half ft long
hes got uv
basking bulb
temp on basking is bout 100
he eats crickets,mealworms,waxworms and veg
at night temp goes down to 70

and hes spoilt ROTTEN

Does your Beardie do this when you put your hand in his viv? is it a top opening or front opening? Once you have picked him up, is he then OK? if so, it may be a defensive gesture due to a big hand trying to pick him up which he may see as a threat. I have one that does this now and again, but she is slowly growing more confident with time.
I open the door slowly and rest my hand just on the edge of the viv, then move in steps slowly closer so they can get used to your presence.
Hope this helps?

hi. one of my beardys is aggressive too. when he goes to bite you, dont pull away because then the lizard will think,' if i put up a fight he wont try and pick me up.' basically, once you have got him, if he tries to run out of your hands dont put him down as it will make him think he can control you. only put himback once he is calm.
Another technique ive used on my yellow sandfire beauty is hand feeding.put your hand flat on the floor of the dragons vivarium,in your other hand grab a treat wether it is a locust, cricket or anything juicy and delicious to the lizard. if you hold the insect at the back of your hand that is flat on the floor of the viv, the dragon is forced to walk on that hand to recieve the food item. hopefully, the lizard will get used to your hand and not mind being handled. oh and 1 more thing never pick a dagon up from above as they will become aggressive anyway as you resemble a preditor coming down on the dragon. approach from the same level as the beardy! i hope this helps!