Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my sandfire dragon and its still a baby. I was wondering why does it opens it's mouth whenever i get close to its cage? I picked it up when it was doin this. Will it bite me?

its trying to intimidate you. yes, the beardie might bite, but as a baby it wont hurt
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python (mr snake),0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake (CK),1.0.0 leopard gecko (sebastian),0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa (luce),1.1.0 bearded dragon (kaipo and dulce), 1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (adam and eve)

Yes, babies can be quite scared, and skittish of people at first. I had many that for a short period as youngins thought that that would stop me from picking them up. I never got bit either. I think it's more of a bluff, and when the realize you will pick them up anyway even with their open scary razor sharp teeth, lol they quit that pretty fast and get used to being handled. Just take it slow with it. It has to get used to your routine and realize you will not hurt it in any way. At first keep handling to a minimum until they start eating, and basking and acting normal. Then start with short periods of handling and slowly increase. Most beardies by nature are very docile, and friendly towards people, but some need a little persuading at first to learn we will not have them for a snack when we are hungry. A great Idea is to when you go to pick him/her up have some greens in hand, and when they open up in defense place a bit of greens in their mouths. This is a great way to get them to taste the greens and realize it is food, and also a great way to occupy their mouths instead of with your fingers The ones that I was able to do this with took to eating greens so much faster and younger then the others that had to figure it out on their own. They might think your nuts at first but then they'll realize it's really a treat they will be happy to get picked up.
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Mystical Dragons

thats how i got my baby to start eating greens. she does bite me sometimes though.
strangely enough, it was when i got a second, older and more friendly beardie that she's started to come around. i guess she notices that he isnt scared of me, and neither of them have gotten eaten yet, so maybe im not so bad
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python (mr snake),0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake (CK),1.0.0 leopard gecko (sebastian),0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa (luce),1.1.0 bearded dragon (kaipo and dulce), 1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (adam and eve)

MM shes not going to bite you. dont be scared.
sp