Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just purchased a 5 month old male citrus het 4 hypo beardie and this guy is sooooo skiddish and fiesty, everytime i even put my hand on the top of the cage to get ready to handle him he opens his mouth to bite. After 8 years of having beardies i was bitten for the first time, none of my other 7 beardies are not and never were like this. Wheni put my hand in to get him he runs or backs up with his mouth open. Will this get better as he grows older or gets a cage mate?

My largest female was a bit similar, and was definitely not handled much when young and food aggressive as well. With gentle handling, she eventually became much better and can be removed from her cage easily with no scratching or biting. She is not a couch potatoe like some, and will take a leap if you do not keep a gentle hand over her back. I have a buddy of mine with a large adult male that he said took quite awhile for him to mellow, and can still be a bit aggressive at times. This male is about 8 years old now. Dont take it personally, he is just being defensive. Wear gloves if need be and show him his antics are not going to work. If you immediately release him when he huffs and puffs, his tactics are working in his mind and enforcing this behaviour. If you let him huff, puff, and bite, and not give in, he will realize you are not harming him and hopefully relax. Dont overdo it, as this may add too much stress, but long enough to show him no harm will come to him.

Sounds like he still needs to settle in. Also keep in mind a top opening cage does make it a bit more difficult to reach down and pick up your dragon...as they instinctively feel threatened by anything that comes at them from above. A side or front opening cage makes it easier to approach a dragon from the side.

My dragon took over two years to be calm enough that I can pick her up without any struggling though she was never one to try and bite. She just ran away if I tried to pick her up or struggled when I do get her in hand.

Best thing to do is move slowly when you reach down into the cage...and don't go straight for your dragon, but reach towards some point away from him, then move towards him. If he runs away from your hand, don't 'chase' him around...that will just stress him out more. You can also try offering treats to encourage him to come to your hand. It can take months to gain a dragon's trust.
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PHLdyPayne

blow some trees on him.

and how would blowing trees on a poor dragon be of any help in calming it down?
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PHLdyPayne