Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend of mine gave me his juvenile/almost-adult bearded dragon a month or so ago (he moved away and wasn't able to take it with him I guess), and I've been having trouble getting him to acclimate to being handled.

Supposedly the beardie was very friendly with the old owner a long time ago, would climb up his arm, sit on his shoulder, etc, but the lizard was basically only being fed and was otherwise ignored for over half a year before being handed to me...he's eating well, has all the needed supplies and is totally healthy, there's nothing wrong there.

He'll eat from my hand but little else, he flares up whenever I get too near him and instantly shies away if I try to touch him. I'd love to be able to handle him like my other lizards (he's my first beardie, my monitor and tegu are calmer than him haha) and was wondering if you guys had any advice about beardies in particular...? What's a good method to get him used to being handled again? I don't seem to be making much progress so far.

establish dominance. the more you just keep handling it the more it'll get the idea you dont mean it any harm. whats the worst it can do to you? bite ya a little bit? just keep handling it.

Just because he puffs up doesn't mean he is going to bite you. It is just normal because you are bigger and he may be worried that its a bird. Don't be shy just pick him up like any of your other lizards and put him on your arm or whatever. Do it everyday and soon he will get used to you picking him up.

-Handle daily. Do not let him scare you off. Let him chew on you, black beard you, hiss at you, and even poo on you.
-Talk to him. Tell him he looks scary. Tell him you aren't going to hurt him. He may get used to your voice.
-Put clothes that smell like you in his enclosure.
-Let him run around your bedroom while you sit there.
-Hand feed him a few worms or crickets every now and then. Do not let him get used to hand feeding or he will become lazy.
-Take him out for handling late at night when he's tired and cooled off. He may be too tired to put up a fight.
-While he's in the tub having a bath, ask someone else to watch him while you run to the laundry room and put a towel in the dryer. Dry him off with the warm towel and snuggle.
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