Aggressive Beardie

[Squonk]

Well had Squonk 3 weeks now. She (We think) is 8 weeks old. She's eating well (Brown/Black crickets about 70-80 a day, also dandelion, spring greens, watercress and squash) and gaining weight, all her temps are also fine (80F, 95F and 110F basking). After a week she'd started to settle in, i'd put my hand in the tank and she'd be fine with me picking her up. All that changed a week and a half ago, now when I put my hand near her (i do this under her level and to the side or front, never from above) She blows up her beard and it goes black, she also opens her mouth, hisses and on occassion lunges at me. Ive left my hand there to show her its not going to get me to move and she continues until I give in. When I give her the veggies in the morning I give her a few leaves from my hand before I put the bowl in. She seems to back down a little and take the food. She sits looking out the glass, staring at me, she even scratches on the glass and I'll open the door to see if she wants to come out but she just goes nuts at me. I dont know if ive done something to upset her that she remembers and is scared of me or if she's still settling in. Does anyone have any tips at all? Thanks

Marisa

[JaneySparkles]

Beardies are difficult in many ways... Something could of upset her (not just you) or she may just be feeling under the weather.. or she may just be moody ( like mine is) ... There is never really anyway to tell with beardies...

TBH that many crickets in one day is wayy too much IMO

[Squonk]

Hmmm I was told as many as she could eat in 15 mins twice a day, the fact they can eat 40-150 a day and that its hard to over feed them so young. I only followed what everyone on the forum told me. Could some other beardie owners tell me their opinion on this plz?

[delta]

my adult will only eat 6 maybe 10 at a push every other day, i put them in daily but they are always jumping around for 2 days, she likes her veg more and blueberries
70/80 a day omg how many boxes of crickets are you buying a week?

[Squonk]

I buy in bulk online. You can buy 450-500 crix in a box. That lasts her a week or a little over a week. I consider myself lucky, I know someone who had a beardie that ate over 1000 a week when it was younger. Ive only done what Ive been told be dragon breeders on the forum, I thought if a breeder follows these rules then I cant go wrong. Plus I'm assuming you both have adults. Mines only on small crix and 8 weeks old.

[Charlottie]

Hmm.. try to win her over and not give otherwise she will continue to do it ... just check your temperatures and make sure everything is fine in that area!

[Squonk]

Temps are fine and she's eating, nothings different thats why I cant understand it I will keep persevering

[arm2010]

How is she outside the viv is she the same ...? It sounds like she's scared.The more you can handle her the calmer she should get.

[sender]

it could be stage of the terrible twos My tow got really moody nad aggressive when the hit about 8-10 weeks tryed throwing thier weight around so to speak,

dont back down to her and just pick her up and when your holding her give her a treat this will teach her that you holding her is a good thing, my two will now fall asleep on me instaed of attacking me, tho i do have a food dominated physco who thinks fingers are food

[Paul B]

try a bigger cricket. the poor thing is probably hyperactive trying to run around and catch 70/80 micro crickets.

feed insects that are as big as the space between the dragons eyes.

size 2 maybe 3 should be ok for an 8 week old.

patience is a virtue when it comes to making a beardie feel secure. never approach from above only from the front. try just tickling under the chin with your middle finger until it climbs on board.

P