I got a female bearded dragon about a month ago from a breeder, she was 7 inches. She was fine then, if a little feisty.
She was also fine the first few days I had her. Spunky, but not aggressive; wiggly for the first few moments after being picked up but would quickly calm down. About a week after getting her I converted my sister’s old rabbit hutch into an ‘outdoor’ area for her.
Now, she is a little worse while inside. Runs from my hand and is still wiggly, but settles after being picked up. But after being outside all day? She is a nightmare! I go to get her out, she hisses and puffs up, makes mad dashes away from my hand, and if I manage to catch her, she wiggles so bad she leaves pretty impressive scratches. And if she can’t wiggle out of my hand? That mouth opens and she jerks her head around and tries to bite my hand… she can’t reach, and I’m not scared of being bitten, but who wants to get bitten?
So, is it the sun? I heard somewhere that being outside can make a dragon more energetic and feisty, but does it really?
I mean, she diet is fine. Calcium powdered superworns and vitamin covered salads that she happily eats. I just can’t think of why she is so… unmanageable after being outside.
Ah, she was provided with plenty of shade/hides…
It could be a number of things; maybe a stray cat or dog or bird (mine absolutely hates hawks and airplanes) upset her, or maybe she smelled something she didn’t like. It is perfectly normal for a beardie to be upset during it’s first few times outside. Some adjust more quickly than others. That may very well have been your beardie’s first time outdoors.
There is also a possibility that some rabbit scent remains in the hutch. That may have added to the stress.
For the time being, keep her inside and give her a day or two to settle down before handling again. Since she has only been with you for a month, it might be wise to give her another month or so to settle into her new home before trying another outdoor expedition.
When you do take her out again to put her in the rabbit cage, do so for five minutes or so then take her back inside. Wait a few days, then take her out again, this time for ten minutes. Watch her closely while she’s outside, at least for a while. Only bring her outdoors on warm days; at least 80 degrees in the shade, warmer in the sun. If it’s very humid outside (above 50%) don’t have her out for more than ten minutes every now and then; beardies are very sensitive to humidity and can easily develop respiratory infections if they are exposed to humidity above 50% for more than a few minutes.
Natural sunlight is wonderful for beardies; despite the companies’ best efforts, no UVB bulb can truly simulate natural radiation. Many beardies also learn to enjoy a change of pace, although most are terrified at first.
Good luck!
3 Comments
I dunno, would a severe sunburn alter YOUR disposition?
References :
right a few things, first it could be the fact she is out of human contact, its good to let them be outside for a bit, but not as a rule, she should be in a vivarium, somewhere people will be walking past, and looking at her, then she will get used to you, also if you are trying to handle her and she goes for you DO NOT EVER give up, if you do she will think she has won and will do it all the time, you must teach her the only way she will get left is if she plays nice, i have had 2 berdies and i now have an iguana so I know what im on about and have read up on this.
its not sunburn to the idiot who said that!!
you could have a look at this site it may be of some help to you http://www.bio.miami.edu/ktosney/file/BDtame1.html
good luck and I hope you tame her and you are both more happy
References :
It could be a number of things; maybe a stray cat or dog or bird (mine absolutely hates hawks and airplanes) upset her, or maybe she smelled something she didn’t like. It is perfectly normal for a beardie to be upset during it’s first few times outside. Some adjust more quickly than others. That may very well have been your beardie’s first time outdoors.
There is also a possibility that some rabbit scent remains in the hutch. That may have added to the stress.
For the time being, keep her inside and give her a day or two to settle down before handling again. Since she has only been with you for a month, it might be wise to give her another month or so to settle into her new home before trying another outdoor expedition.
When you do take her out again to put her in the rabbit cage, do so for five minutes or so then take her back inside. Wait a few days, then take her out again, this time for ten minutes. Watch her closely while she’s outside, at least for a while. Only bring her outdoors on warm days; at least 80 degrees in the shade, warmer in the sun. If it’s very humid outside (above 50%) don’t have her out for more than ten minutes every now and then; beardies are very sensitive to humidity and can easily develop respiratory infections if they are exposed to humidity above 50% for more than a few minutes.
Natural sunlight is wonderful for beardies; despite the companies’ best efforts, no UVB bulb can truly simulate natural radiation. Many beardies also learn to enjoy a change of pace, although most are terrified at first.
Good luck!
References :
Beardie Mom