Hi everyone, I'm new to the site, and I don't have a Bearded Dragon myself, but I'm trying to help a friend.

I keep other reptiles, so she has come to me for advice. She has never had any type of reptile before and decided to get a bearded dragon for her kids for Christmas. She ended up taking one from a church friend who didn't want it anymore. After seeing it, I recommended she take it to the vet I use for my reptiles. The lizard is 3 years old and malnurished and has not been handled much at all. The vet had a pretty pesimistic view of whether it could EVER possibly be tamed.

Do you all have any advice? Is it really hopeless, or can lots of love and attention along with a good diet and proper husbandry turn this little guys life around? He puffs up and his mouth gapes and he struggles like crazy when you hold him.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!

I would say there are two issues here: what is best for the animal and what is best for the family. I would take the first issue first. Is it the vet's opinion that the animal has been so poorly cared-for that it should be euthanized, or is there a plan of treatment that could bring it back to a comfortable state of health? If there is a possible route for the animal to be rehabilitated, the next step is for the family to do some research and decide if they are prepared to provide that care, or whether it would be better for the animal to go to someone else (either because someone else is more experienced and can give better care, or because the family just isn't comfortable providing the care, especially if the animal is very skittish or agressive). It might be better for the animal to be with an experienced keeper.

As for the family's best interest and the issue of a Christmas gift, that's something your friend should really consider. On the one hand, it could be a real gift to her kids to guide them (or let them guide her, or let the vet plus some research guide them all together, depending on where the comfort levels and expertise lie) through the process of taking in an animal that needs compassion, learning about what the animal truly needs and about the effects on it have been from not having the proper husbandry. Working together as a family to learn and care for the Bearded Dragon could be a wonderful gift. On the other hand, some families aren't really up for this kind of project, maybe because of the possible monetary expenses, time involved, busy schedules, health of family members, etc. It could add stress to their lives -- and even if they take on the project joyfully, hoping for the best, the animal could still die despite their best efforts. Is this an experience your friend would want to shield her kids from, or one she thinks they could handle?

I'm not a Bearded Dragon expert, but others here have lots of experience. What did the vet say about the animal's condition and possible course of treatment?

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Amy

First off, welcome to Herp Center. Here is the link to our caresheet for bearded dragons. http://www.herphabitats.com/reptile_...ded_dragon.htm
Take a look and see if the requirements are doable for the family. Make sure that the Bearded Dragon is getting the correct type of food to help with him being malnourished. The correct environment could make a big difference in how he reacts also. Think about it, if you were all ways cold, weren't getting the right food, have the wrong kind of enclosure. Do you think you might be a little bit cranky? LOL
I would fist get him in the correct environment and eating the correct food. You might also want to put him in the bathtub with water to try to re-hydrate him (Bearded Dragons can absorb water through their skin).

To get him to be easier to handle might take a long time or it might never happen. Give him a week or two where you don't handle him so he can get use to his new home, this can include the activity level in the house. Then start making sure that he sees members of the family and hears their voices (some people say they can't hear, but our Bearded Dragons will follow voices). Next you try to pick him up and hold him on your lap, I would suggest doing this on the floor so if he jumps he isn't going to hurt himself. Do try to man handle him; just let him sit there (sometime we will do this on the bed, where he still has space). If he is comfortable, try to pet his back (going from head to tail). Take it really slowly; this could take a long time.
This is going to be a great commitment and is going to take a lot of time and understanding.

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Colleen

Good advice above. I see no reason to euthenize...With a good diet, proper lighting and loveing care, he can be brought around. The easiest way to get him used to being held, is to either cover him up with a towel so he wont stress, or pick him up after lights out, when he's calm. But, a week is plent of time to get settled.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

I agree also with the above...I rehabbed a dragon about a year ago that couldnt even move when I got him and I rehomed him spunky and almost normal.....It is amazing what proper food and lighting can do for an animal....best wishes to the family ...I hope they can help him.....

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Bearded Dragons take time to tolerate people. I would say give it time and just try and work with it a all time you can. It can be frustrating but hey someone has to do it!! Haha Good luck! Welcome to Hcn by the way also!!

I passed all your advice along to my friend, and she said she's going to make a go of it. If it doesn't work out for her, I'd take the dragon off her hands. I've always been the kind that likes a needy pet.

Just out of curiousity, has anyone ever been bitten by a Bearded Dragon? What does that feel like? Is it like a snake bite? Just wondering . . . From the displays the little guy is putting up, I may be able to ask my friend that question soon!

Thanks for all your help!

They have very strong jaws and little teeth...feels liks lots of little pins sticking you. I think its more of the initial bite than it hurting...although, they have drawn blood before

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Never have gotten bite. My male always used to open his mouth and flip is flap down like he was really mad but, you could just push it closed and he would leave it closed!! It was like he wasn't ready for you at first, no niether of my Bearded Dragons mind pretty much anything, they even tolerate the vaccum. Haha I have my female in a tank on the floor and she always tries to jump on the vaccum from in the tank. SO cute!

Depends on where your're bitten =) My oldest one once bit me on that soft pink skin between the thumb and index finger. We was hungry so it was a taste bite but he hold instead of letting go. It does hurt! =)
Some of my other Bearded Dragons (juveniles) bite me on occasion by accident, when I'm feeding them, usually on the fingers and it doesn't hurt.

If you are worried about that, then by all means take it out of your head. Get some gloves and let him bite you. You'll have an idea of how strong the jaw is and you can wear them when you handle him, so that he will eventually grow out of bitting.

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Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)