Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if your beardies liked being held or petted in a certain way, or if they even like it at all?

I have a male who will sit on my shoulder or lap for about a minute, but the wants to run around. He is about 7 months old, is this just typical behavior for his age? Will he calm down and want to chill out with me more as he gets older?

Is there any way to train them to be more friendly?

Try handling them more at night--just as their lights are about to go out--or just after they have cooled a bit. Sleepy beardies are calmer. Gradually begin handling them earlier. Once they trust you they make great 'pals'. My daughter's beardie is quite content to stay on her lap for hours while she does schoolwork (she is homeschooled). Our other beardie is more outgoing and will stay still for a minute or two and then MUST explore!

Heh, the only experience I have with a "sleepy beardy" was not good. There was a cricket still in the cage of my femal when she was a sleep and It was on her head. I reached in to get it and she woke up with my hand right abover her head, needless to say it scared the poop out of her and she started hissing and making all types of horrible noises.

But ya that is a good idea I will make sure she is sleepy and not sleeping.

you said all this started when you moved your beardie into a new cage. How big is it? There is such thing as a cage being too big, and if so that may explain her actions, she feels vulnerable and scared and "out-in-the-open." Maybe she would feel more comfortable if you sectioned off the cage to a smaller size and then slowly, as she grows or gets used to her cage you could expand it. You could also get a similar effect by covering half of the cage with a dark cloth to make your beardie feel more secure.

What cage decoration do you have? Going on the idea that perhaps she is feeling vulnerable, make sure she has "hides" as well as just basking spots. Cave like structures provide solice for your dragon when she is stressed, and she may be much less agressive and jumpy if she feels like she has somewhere to "escape" to if she is in danger.

Hope this helps!
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next time a cricket is on her head while sleeping, to not scare her, try blowing quickly on the cricket, you don't have to be close, just standing next to the enclosure as usual, usually a quick puff of breath on a cricket will cause them to jump offthe lizard...however repeated breaths on a cricket will lose the affect...