Skittish and shedding... help??

[Momofboys]

This is my sons bearded dragon Harold that we have had for almost two weeks. I believe that he is 7 weeks old. We are noticing that he is starting to shed. I have read that baths can help but am unsure how to go about the process. He is also very skittish when we try to hold him. Always has been, so not sure if it is from the shedding or if he is not used to us yet. Will he calm down? Is this due to the shedding? It is very frustrating to my son as he wants to hold him. My son said that Harold nipped at him today. Is that normal? I don't want Harold to be aggressive. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Harold is a cutie!
If you've only had him for a couple of weeks he is still settling and getting used to all of you.. Add on the start of a shed that can be irritating to them. Keep talking quietly and make sure when you and your son go to hold him make sure you never come from above their head. Do your best to get their attention and come from in front of them so he can see you all. carefully pick him up 1 hand from in front oh him head and front legs and the other under the belly so he feels secure. Big thing is don't let Harold scare you off they may gap (mouth open) they may lunge but it's best for them to know that your not afraid of him.

He will calm down they are not mean critters but they need the socialization, they need to be handled but in moderation since he's a baby.

Baths are great for them during the shedding process... at this small size you can do the bath in the bathroom sink the water should be warm (like you would for a baby) and only up to his elbows at first.. Some like water from the get go (both of mine did) and some don't like it at first, and there's some that don't like it at all but it's a good thing. He will likely run up the sink walls or he may just float around or run around.. Don't be alarmed if he puffs up like a balloon they do that for a couple of reasons 1 to help with flotation 2nd it helps stretch the skin. Don't leave him un attended even briefly as they can get into trouble. They do have nose plugs so they can submerge for short periods, if yours does that don't let him do it very long for risk of him opening them or his mouth and get water in his lungs. You can use a baby toothbrush to help with the shed (don't pull off the scales! unless they are about to fall off and you can do so without tugging on the scales underneath)

Hope that helps if I missed anything let me know

 

[Momofboys]

thank you so much.....I think my son is getting frustrated because he is so skittish. He won't sit still in our hands. He wants to run up your arms/chest. Is that normal? We do put our hands in front of him so he can see us. Another question is, his tongue comes out and he appears to be licking us. What does that mean?

 

[Hdrydr31]

thank you so much.....I think my son is getting frustrated because he is so skittish. He won't sit still in our hands. He wants to run up your arms/chest. Is that normal? We do put our hands in front of him so he can see us. Another question is, his tongue comes out and he appears to be licking us. What does that mean?

Yea as babies they can be pretty active and fiesty.. It just takes time for them to chill a bit also you can try when it's darker and he's more on the sleepy side to take him out and put on your chest and drape a blanket over him..
the licking is him making memories or learning his environment.. so that is totally normal and good.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Main thing is it takes some time for him to feel comfortable being held, being out of his safe zone, so many things to see, explore etc... But when the time is put in to gaining his trust you all will have a great bond with Harold..

 

[Elders]

thank you so much.....I think my son is getting frustrated because he is so skittish. He won't sit still in our hands. He wants to run up your arms/chest. Is that normal? We do put our hands in front of him so he can see us. Another question is, his tongue comes out and he appears to be licking us. What does that mean?

Hello and congrats on your little guy Harold.

Just want to add to Hdrydr a little.

The licking is great it's how they learn their areas and us. However as Hdrydr pointed out the bonding of a baby beard can be, not always but can be time consuming and frustrating. If your son is younger it'll be up to you to do most of the work. Pick Harold up just as Hdrydr described, and he will squirm but don't let go. Gently let him move through your hands. One over the other. You can keep your hands in the enclosure in case he leaps. Don't let him run the show and never let them learn that you'll be afraid or back off. He will calm down. My Odin was exactly the same as a baby. Gapping, running away skittish. I spent the time and now he comes to me and climbs me and wants to be around me. No more running away. Hangs out on my should and sometimes up on my head.

Spend the time and show Harold you're no threat and he'll learn you're the provider and friend. And then it's all gravy from there.

Hope to hear more!

 

[Candybugs]

Gentle soft voices .

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Momofboys]

Yea as babies they can be pretty active and fiesty.. It just takes time for them to chill a bit also you can try when it's darker and he's more on the sleepy side to take him out and put on your chest and drape a blanket over him..
the licking is him making memories or learning his environment.. so that is totally normal and good.

dark....like when his day lights are off?

 

[Hdrydr31]

dark....like when his day lights are off?

Yea when things are winding down for the day and they start getting slow and sleepy, evening naptime on your chest as you watch tv or reading is perfect...
For example: We eat around 5pm and after dinner say around 6pm I typically have my female on my chest under a blanket or in one of those scarf deals that are a long circle I wear it over 1 shoulder and under the other. (hope you know what I mean lol) and my male next to me inside a fabric bag that I sewed it looks like a sleeping bag lol so open on 1 end. They both have bags but my female likes to be on my chest. And they stay put all evening until I'm getting ready for bed myself then I put them into their tanks for the night.

It's a great time to bond, time for them to smell you, listen to you...I'll even open the scarf and let Izzy look around if she wants.. And Simon I'll peak at him and he will typically just watch me.. My female is a year and 4 months and my male is 7 months ish...

 

[JUNGLE JIM]

When handling them when young like yours and mine are when you have them out always keep your eye on them and don't look away. I had my girl out a few days ago and looked at my other little one for a second to see if he was watching and she made a break for it over my shoulder stopping half way down my back where I couldn't reach her. Had to call for my granddaughter to get her for me. They are sneaky fast, especially if you are distracted.