Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A little over a week ago I got a new bearded dragon, guessing a few months old. Anyway, any time I try to handle him (actually don't know the gender yet) he flares with his mouth wide open and repeatedly bites. He has been like this since day one. My question for those more experienced with this species than I is: will consistent, gentle handling cause him to become accustomed to it and therefore calm down? Every time I think I see an improvement in him he goes right back to displaying, biting and just being generally ill tempered. Thanks for any advice anyone can give.

All I can say is keep holding him/her. Once they figure out that you don't want to hurt them, they calm down.
They are individuals however, so all you can do is try.

I have one who we named Tyson. This guy would literally lunge at you to bite. With a lot of handling, this guy is now one of the biggest babies I've seen.

One thing you watch for is ceiling fans! If they see them moving, they get scared & can go into defensive mode.

Good luck.

this is Tyson

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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

Going on experience i think that a beardies behavior gets better with age. Some can be a handfull when they are hatchlings to juvies but you will rarely get a nasty adult. The more you handle them, the more they will trust you and after a while they seem to enjoy being handled. Stick at it.