Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my beardie for about six months now, and he is still not very friendly. Whenever i reach my hand into his tank he opens his mouth and hisses at me and doesnt even let me pull him out to hold him, and from what i understand beardies are supposed to get more friendly as they get older, has anyone used any tricks to get there beardies more friendly or should i just try to handle him as much as possible? Any tip would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Yes,if you hold him more it will help. If you handle him in the evening when he is sllepy then he might not be so aggressive.Also try handfeeding him his bugs,once he learns that hands are good he won't be so afraid.

Try not to reach for your dragon from above them, if possible approach from the side. Bearded dragons instinctively fear anything coming down on them from above. It's not easy doing this though, if the only access to the dragon's cage is from the top. My dragon would always puff up and extend her beard while I had her in a 35 gal tank. Once I moved her to the large homemade cage with doors on the front, it was much easier picking her up, as I could approach from her level. Though mine was always a bit crouchy, she wasn't as bad once I had her in the new cage.
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PHLdyPayne

with mine what helped was talking to him and petting his tail while he was eating, being the piggy he is he was distracted by the food and didn't mind me as much...as he got used to this, I just started petting closer to his head...he's never bitten and only got very mad twice, once was my fault and once when really stressed due to moving to a bigger tank...just keep trying and working with him...
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