Hello

I just have a few questions, since i've never owned a bearded dragon and im interested. I've been reading a few posts about their Bearded Dragon's and how they sometimes go thru this phase of biting or becoming aggressive. Is it true? do they all go thru this phase? does it happen @ a certain period like juvenile stage or something? or as adults? Once their tamed, is there a chance they can change back? Or once they are tamed thats it. I just basically would like to know about their behavior if anyone can give me any advice. Thanks alot!

It seems to depend on the dragon and on how much you work with it. When I got my dragon (as an adult) he had never been handled and was pretty flighty, but after a little work he became such a marshmallow and hasn't huffed or tried any funny business since.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

As Lacey stated, its about how you interact with the dragon. If you purchase a baby, and handle it and interact with it frequently, you shouldn't have any issues.

Up until we adopted our little guy from the animal hospital, I had never seen this aggressive behavior. (With the exception of newborns. We are predator size though and they were only a few weeks old. lol)

This little guy had never been handled regularly, and was left in a room with 2 cats that were constantly trying to get in his tank. Its understandable that he would be defensive and slightly aggressive.

Even with him residing directly beside my pc, and me constantly trying to handle and work with him, he is still skittish and sometimes defensive but he has gotten better.

If you take the time to interact with the dragon while it is young, it will be fine.

__________________

I had one that was so tame that my 1 yr old niece held her on a regular basis...


My other one was tiny when we rescued him from the pet store... At first we was kind flighty but would calm down once you were actually holding him.

After a few weeks tho he started to get more aggressive. I think this was a combination of him not being happy alone and also that my cats were ALWAYS trying to check him out. I ended up moving him into my tank with Jess and within a couple of weeks the aggressiveness went away. He was still kinda flighty until you caught him, but once you were holding him he was fine.


I would also like to add that when Gotee did get aggressive, he only actually bit a few times. and I don't know if this is true for all dragons or if it was just his size, but it really didn't hurt. Its not like they have teeth that are going to tear your skin apart...

__________________

I'll argue with you on that one, I lost a finger tip, but it was all my fault so I wasn't going to share. Zola ate a rubber band and I had to pry his mouth open to retrieve it, the ballpoint pen we used to block his mouth open fell out and I got chomped a good one.....but he thought I was going to hurt him so he reacted accordingly.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Like I said, I didn't know if it was just his small size or a typical bite...

__________________

When are they considered adults?

I agree with Lace. They do have sharp teeth. The only time I have experienced this is when my finger got in the way of a cricket, again, my fault.

Babies: hatchling to 5 months
Juveniles and Sub Adults: 6 months to 17 months
Adults: 18 months

__________________
MARSHA

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

I am considering getting a bearded dragon for myself and my 5yr old and 2 yr old. Am I just kidding myself to think that my kids would enjoy a dragon and beable to handle him/her? Any suggestions are welcome

I wouldn't let a 5y/o or 2y/o carry around a dragon, but you could let them pet it while you hold it on your lap under constant supervision, and then you have to take them immediately to wash and disinfect their hands because little kids are notorious for putting their fingers in their mouths or eyes or where ever without washing them and that where they come down with salmonella or whatever else your dragon carries.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos