Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, This 15 year old down the block has a bearded dragon that his mother is giving to me since I have a large cage and some experience. He is maybe a year and a half old she said?????¿¿

This bearded dragon looks fat and filled up, but she says he doesn't feed him according to anything, and no special time per day. I am guessing he has gone several days without foot and then just a big meal, several days, big meal.. Etc..

I have him now in my large cage, and I have the lights set up just fine and all. He is very active and will eat whatever, hes a true trooper - He is about 1'2" and looks healthy. I know for a fact he has had barely any calcium supplements and crickets - generally just iceberg lettuce, the boys mother said. I am posting here because I am not sure what to do - he has been in the cage 2 weeks, he eats fine and will eat a ton, I still dont have him on a diet myself but I will have it set up within the week (any pointers would be great) also.. He is really mean, infact I don't even know if it's a he. Does anyone have any really good pointers to pick him up and get him tame? I mean this guy will try to eat my fingers no matter what.. Impossible..

Once he/she is eating HEALTHY food every day and is housed under appropriate lights... they should settle down. These guys get stressed out even if they have been moved into a better situation!

I took in an adult rescue a few months ago---she was almost dead due to neglect and parasites. The first 2 weeks she was with us she was mean--full beard every time she saw anyone! She would hiss and try to bite too... After those initial weeks--and near death experience she began to settle down. She is now VERY gentle and welcomes any attention--she knows WE are the good guys!

Getting your beardie on a proper diet is extremely important--he/she should NEVER have iceberg lettuce again! Dark greens like mustard, collard, turnip and kale are the best ones to feed--along with other small portions of veggies and fruit. Study up on a few good care sheets like the one at www.beautifuldragons.com --and you will find a very healty alternative diet.

Make sure any live food is properly dusted with calcium and vitamins. (crickets, silkworms or roaches being the top 3 in healthy choices).

It may take some time--but once your beardie starts trusting you they should settle down enough for you to properly sex them AND handle/enjoy them too!

Awesome! thanks alot..
I have just one more question if anyone can still read this:

Once he/she has settled down, what are some good methods to begin taming? I am pretty sure from hearing em' eat crickets and lettuce that they have a pretty mean bite, no more stiches for me.. Anything for taming at all would be helpful, thanks.