Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Will my BD always try to run away from me when I try to hold it? He's 5 mo old, I've had him for 3 weeks. He's fine when I put my hands anywhere around him, he just watches me. He lets me dab drops of water on his nose. But as soon as I try to pick him up, he makes a run for it, and sometimes to his hiding place. I really want to be able to hold him and have him sit on my shoulder when he gets bigger (right now he leaps off me and out of my grasp every chance he gets). How do I tame him - he just seems to hate being handled.

Your beardie will get slower, fatter and more lethargic with age. As you handle it, for short periods at first, it will get used to you and be less stressed. One of the best steps is to start hand feeding your dragon. Find something it really likes and try offering it. It can help to condition the lizard to believe the hand is a good thing not a threat. If done properly, you will be surprised at how easy to handle this animal will become with age.