Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been mulling over this for about a month now, I thought I'd post and see if I could get any additional input.

My male is 4 months old and 12" . In the last month or so, he's started blackening his beard, pacing the cage, scratching at the glass, head bobbing, etc. He is not within view of my female (there's paper up on the side of his tank so he can't see her). Whenever I try to handle him (every day!) he blackens his beard, puffs it out at me, and tries to wriggle out of my grasp. I'm very gentle, don't come at him from above or anything, and only hold him for a few minutes at a time because he just seems to hate it. Does anyone have any ideas? I"ve tried hand feeding him but he just won't go for it. I know males tend to go through pissy phases when they're hormonal, but I believe he's too young for this? Am I wrong?

Thanks for any insight.

Melissa

Well...I'm gonna throw my dog-cat knowledge in here but may not be helpful. You say you have paper up so they can't see one another, but couldn't he smell her? Do you wash your hands after handling the female before handling him? Just a suggestion. The only time my daughters hamster has ever bitten her is after holding our female. Dogs and cats are the same...don't have to see each other to drive the male nuts the smell alone will do it. Not sure if this fits beardies also!

Good luck!

Marilee