When is a good/bad time to pick up and hold a baby bearded dragon?

Question

is it bad to hold him when he is hungry or after he just ate? is it bad if its while he is trying to bask?

Answer 1

The BEST time to hold your dragon is at least 2 HOURS after any meal. Allow him plenty of time to digest his food.

Even better-- hold him right before lights out.. allow him to snuggle in your shirt or in a soft towel. After he's relaxed, set him back in the cage that way and he will have all good experiences with you.  That is not to say you cannot hold him in the morning or any other time of the day, but particularly for the younger dragons and cranky ones, they seem to really love being held with a full tummy, still warm before bed, and they just relax right to sleep listening to and smelling YOU. Be sure you don't have any harsh smells on you! And try to use the same towel all the time for him. Never approach from over head, always low, slow, and to the side. Use a calm voice so he gets used to you!

Any further questions about beardie behavior check us out:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bearded_dr...

We have LOTS of links, files, and resources and EXPERIENCE!

Answer 2

do not hold him while or right after he is eating. He will get angry while eating, and will throw up after eating. Hold him when he first starts to wake up, because he will be calm and won't run away because he is tired. He will then trust you and will let you hold him even when he is capable of running away. Also during basking is fine too.

Answer 3

You should not handle a bearded dragon right after it eats, unless you want it to regurgitate (throw up). It needs time to digest.

If your going to handle it before eating, it should be to just put them in a smaller enclosed area (like a plastic bin) where it can eat crickets easier instead of having to chase them around. If you handle a bearded dragon for too long instead of just putting it in a plastic container right away it may be a little too stressed to eat.

A good time to handle is a few hours after or before they eat. It's ok to pick them up while basking after they have had time for digestion. Basking is used mostly to allow proper digestion.

If the bearded dragon runs around, acts like it's scared of you, and is all squeamish, you should just let it calm down and leave it alone.

Answer 4

i wouldnt hold him after he just ate but it wony hurt to hold him whikle he was trying to bask...the more you hold him the tamer they get!

Answer 5

its fine to hold him when he is trying to bask but not after he just ate

Answer 6

ya, its never realy a good idea to hold a berdie after it eats, but un like snake the rarly throw up. and besides, the more u hold ur freind the better companion ul have fo the ages. but be smart. baby bearded dragons a are fast. keep a cloose i on it!! godd luck.