Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am new to the forum and I am a new BD parent. A lot of consideration and research went into the decision of getting our first BD and under very strange circumstances of getting the BD we are now taken by our little beardie. But with this new responsibility comes a lot of questions. Like I said, we did our research we know the basics but there is nothing like experience from others to give you the 'living with a beardie' facts. I have been getting crazy advice and a lot of useless information.

To start off with my first question:
How often can a baby beardie be handled? It has gone through its first shed with us and from mouth to tip of tail it is about 8 inches. I have been told that not to handle it at all because the bones will brake to handle it or else it will be mean (This was by the same person I might add)

Thank you in advance

I handled my baby for short periods you will learn to see when he is getting stressed out and as long as your gentle as you should be you will not break his bones. Dont listen to whoever told you that bull.
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko (dot, spot, leo)
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.1.0 Sulcata Tortoise (tank)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders (bernie and ernie)
0.0.3 Painted Turtles (larry, curly and moe)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (beef)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Australian Shepheard (layla)
2.1.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.1.0 Ferret (jordan)
0.2.0 Guinea Pigs (lilly and petunia)
0.0.1 White Tree Frog (dumpy jr.)
0.0.2 Fire Belly Newts (spork and blaze)
0.0.1 Fire Belly Toad (ferdinan)
0.0.1 Red Spotted Newt ( red)
0.0.2 Bull Frogs (goliath and tubby)
0.0.1 Rainbow Ameive (jack)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.3 Green Anoles
1.0.0 Bahama Anole
0.0.1 Long Tail Grass Lizard
Lots Of Fish

It is good to keep handling to a minimum.. sometimes with new dragons they can act very still and not move at all..but often this is mistaken for the dragon being 'tame and happy' to be handled..then owners are surprised when a month later it won't let them go near them, hissing and gaping etc.

Most often, during the first month, the dragon is too afraid to move so resorts to freezing..then it gets a bit more used to its new environment and resorts to bluff attacking and biting.

But give it time and patience and it will relax.

Baby dragons are fragile but can tolerate gentle handling, holding it too tight or by the tail, can definitely harm the dragon. Dropping from a height can also cause damage. Never lift a dragon by its tail..it can injure the tail and is very uncomfortable even painful for the dragon. Bearded dragon's tails do not fall off normally either..and if broken or otherwise amputated, won't grow back.
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PHLdyPayne

I usually wait about a week after a baby hatches before picking them up. After that I pick each one up every day to move them to clean their enclosure and then pick each one up again to move them back. I had babies hatch from 5/2 - 5/4 this year and now they jump for my hand and climb up my arm when I reach in. They have no fear of me at all now.

An 8" dragon is a good size and you shouldn't be concerned about handling it carefully. I always make kids sit if I have a baby dragon out so they don't make any sudden movements without thinking. My babies are only about 5 1/4" right now.

Thank you very much for all your responses. Our little guy (or girl LOL) loves to be handled and uses us as a branch. I do admit I have children and they are so amazing with the BD my oldest sits on the floor for just a minute or two with it and my youngest is happy to just pet when we are all chilling together. We definitely do not have a still or timid one, he is so curious about his surroundings. It is comical to watch because when I enter the room he stands up and gets all dark waiting for me to come and as soon as I take him out he goes nice and light and content, we only spend about 5 minutes a day with him out but I would love just a little more time but I base it on how cold it is and if he seems comfortable out. Im guessing his personality is shaping and we are going to have a bit of a cuddler (evidently the name is cuddles, how is that for irony).

Thanks again, Cheers

1 Narcoleptic Hamster (Jeff(From the Wiggles))
2 Firebelly Toads (Mater and Lightning)
1 Bearded Dragon (Cuddles)