Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i've had my beardie Toki for around 2 months now, i try to hold him at least once a day almost every day, he's still really skiddish and snaps at me when i try to pick him up. i've tried the finger under the chin method and also scoop method, he's starting to get big enough where i can feel him bite me, but nothing more, what should i do? i dont want him to be all antisocial when he's big enough to draw blood. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

If i were you i would tear off little bits of romaine lettuce or some other greens that he likes and when he tries to bite you stick the greens in his mouth and he may loosen up over time

>>If i were you i would tear off little bits of romaine lettuce or some other greens that he likes and when he tries to bite you stick the greens in his mouth and he may loosen up over time

Getting your beardie to associate you with food is a step in the right direction, but REWARDING him for hostile behavior is not. Here's one way to handle it.

Get him to focus on one hand in front of his nose while moving the other behind him to scoop him up (I call this the "cobra technique" . He may not like this either and either squirm or try to nip at you. Being firm with a voiced "no!" (but not too loudly, cause it can hurt his ears) reinforces what he's doing as a negative effect, and it won't win him any brownie points for getting released sooner. Hold him for awhile and he should eventually settle down. Only when he's calm should you reward him with foodstuffs, especially his favorite treats. Sometimes cupping your hand over his head so he shuts his eyes works well, because he'll feel less vulnerable (thinks he's covered and secure). Working with a blanket or towel has the same effect, but make sure you don't wrap him in it too tightly or around his mouth or nose.

Now, FEEDING him by hand will also increase the bond you have with him, as he'll recognize your presence as food-giver and not predator. Since he's young, a few accidental nips won't harm you as he's grabbing lunch, so get him used to seeing you holding greens, berries, mealworms, crickets, etc. To teach mine, I would scoop up a handfull of crix and open my thumb and index finger a little to allow one-at-a-time to escape, then hold it in front of him. He would see the emerging crix and nail each one by tongue, and this got him to realize I wasn't a threat.

I used the negative reinforcement on mine when he was going through a difficult shed once. As I was trying to get at skin on his back toes that would've constricted his digits, he got angry with me for messing with him and whipped around open-mouthed to bite me. I immediately pulled back, said "NO!", and picked him up with my hand cupping his head. I sat there a few minutes like that, returned him to his tank, and delayed his feeding for an hour or so. Later in the day I came back to the computer room (where I kept him) to a completely different situation. He was basking on his log as usual, but upon seeing me he IMMEDIATELY dipped his head down and waved his arm at me in surrender (something I had NEVER seen him do before, although I knew what it was!!!). I went over, picked him up, and placed him under my chin where he loves to get bodyheat from me, and he fell asleep there as I was doing my work. Since then, he's NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED hurting me or anyone else, so I know he senses moods pretty well!!

Hope this helps.
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Dl