berdie questions? (pics)

[dano85]

hi i have a few questions
i im trying to handle my beardies but i fell like i am stressing them out in doing so they thrash wildly and i have to use a lot of force to hold on to them and i fell like i am going to hurt them.
i hold them about every three days is this two much or not enough?
They are about 27cms long. 6 months old.
Should i just forget it or should or keep trying?
Any tips on removing them from there tanks? because it can be tricky they show there teeth and try to look tuff is that normal?
Is it to early to put them on sand?
heres a pic of jiff and boof[IMG]http:/[/IMG]
[IMG]http:/[/IMG]

[dano85]

bump

[sweetangel]

my boyfriend has 2 babies... they just sit on his hand and he picks them up every day.
i dont think u should be holding them tight... they should just sit there, maybe get a room thats small and hold them near the ground so they can get used to just sittng on ur hands with out being able to run to far away or getting hurt by falling a long way

it might just take time for them to get used to you.

[frankc]

Nice beardies.I have beardies and they get handled regularly.They love it and they are pretty hardy animals.The thrashing about might be because they don't feel secure when you are handling and they try to position themselves in a better position.Mine do if I don't pick them up properly but I quickly adjust and they are fine.I hold them close to my body and they are fine,My kids handle them all the time and are absolutely fine so just stick at it.Some animals like to be handled more than others so keep trying and hopefully they should get better.Were they handled much before you got them?Sometimes they puff and do some cute things.usually it is a bluff.I never pick them up from above,I always pick them up from the front,gently putting my hand under their front part of the body and then just pick them up.Just give them support so they feel safe when handling and they should be fine.I keep mine on paper easy for cleaning but you can use sand if you want.I put mine outside during the day for natural light and play,anyway,I am sure others may have some good ideas too.Good luck.

[hozy6]

reptiles arent captive animals there are wild and some people dont seem to remeber that there are showing there teeth and acting tuff because you are coming into there home and for the handling if they want to run put them into a room were they cant get away and just keping handling them every day doing the same thing they will get used to u eventually


cheers

[Emski]

I have a 6m old one too and she gets handled everyday. If she is in a hyperactive mood she will try and escape to have a look around but other than that she usually just sits on my hand watching tv or shoulder. Just remember to make sure they feel secure by having all of their claws on your hand for stabiity.

[Chris1]

try putting them on ur chest while ur watching telly @ night and gently stroking their backs, they will calm down with regular handling.

[dragon lady]

luke warm bathes help....putting beardies torso across your hand,submerging there back legs in the water
they will drink well if you dribble water on their nose

when cuddling them if they keep be restless...place your hand (cupped) over their head...count to 10
90% 0f the time this will calm all animals

forgot to add....try to always put your beardie over your heart...they will relax better

[Chris1]

very true dragon lady, both Kaida and Kyro snuggle down to sit on our hearts before they go to sleep..

[falconboy]

Don't give up or they will be pretty boring pets if they get worse and you can't even handle them at all.

All good advice here, but take it slow. A couple of times a day, just get your hand and put it under them slowly from the front - don't grab them as that won't help if they are already scared. If they run away, leave them, but just keep doing it and eventually you will find they will calm down. Once they are a bit calmer, then gently pick them up - just off the ground, then put them back down, then work it from there. Just one step at a time mate.

[NinaPeas]

My beardies HATE water, I have tried putting in them into warm shallow water and they bost went ballistic!

Just keep handling them, they will eventually learn you are not going to hurt them.

And put them on sand whenever you like, they do live on it in the wild afterall! I always put the food (vegies etc) in a small dish though, not directly onto the sand.

[dano85]

Thanks for all the ideas guys il stick to it!
cheers

[FredBear]

Leave it be and only handle minimally for cleaning feeding health checks as unfortunately yes you are stressing it out. The behaviours it is displaying are natural responces to a threat. Remember you have a native australian reptile not a domesticated animal. Treat it with the respect it deserves. Its a good idea to do some research about natural and instinctive behaviours so you know how to handle them with minimal stress. Once you understand these behaviours you can then plan your handling of them accordingly and use ways that will help to condition the beardie to tolerate handling.