You can get a sense of personality even in the tiniest baby beardies just by watching them in a pet store tank. Are they active? Are they eating? Are they smashed under two others or are they on top? Watching is the best way to learn about personality.
Here's my guys. You know their names, but let me tell you about their personalities.
Max-
Max is a German Giant male and "Mr Mostly Independent." Sometimes he'll let you give him a good head rub, but he has to be in the right mood. He will sleep on a soft blankie but doesn't want to be wrapped in one. You can pick him up, but only to put him somewhere different like in his outside Summer cage. He's not into being carted around otherwise.
Ziggy-
Ziggy is "Mr Leave Me Alone." He does NOT like to be held or touched or covered with a blankie or anything. He's not mean and has never bitten or hissed, but he makes it very clear that he wants to be left alone. He doesn't want things changed in his cage either. Everything is just fine to him so leave him alone.
Gen-
Gen is "Miss Food." She's easy going and mellow-- unless there is food! Then she's passionate and feisty. Her hobbies include snacking, sleeping, and eating. The older she gets, the calmer she becomes. Blankies, shoulder rides, outside trips-- they're all good.
Flame-
Flame's personality has been largely defined by his sicknesses and trauma. I'm still getting to know him now that he's settling in. He does like his blankie and other soft things, but has moments when he just wants to be left alone.
Dragon-
This boy is Mr Spitfire! Man, he's got sass! He is a feisty little bugger. He's grown more than I ever expected and doing better than I ever could have dreamed. He went from sickly and calm to a roaring ball of energy. I sure hope he calms down and becomes less crazy!
Milo-
Milo is our Mr Mellow. He's the most chill, easy going Beardie I've ever had. That's why I let my 8 year old "adopt" him. The only thing he doesn't like is having shed picked off his face. Anything else is fine-- even the other male beardies get ignored.
Smaug--
Smaug is Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hyde. He can be the mellowest & most loving Beardie when he believes he's the only one in a 2 mile radius. But BAM!! when he sees another Beardie, he goes crazy with aggression. He currently is in a tank next to a window to the backyard with all of the tank sides covered expect the window side. I'm still searching for a home for him where he can be the only Beardie (and lizard) so he'll stay mellow.
Clack-
Clack is Mr Lazy. At first, I assumed he was sickly from Adenovirus, but now I'm convinced he's just a lazy little guy. He sleeps for a day or two and then gets up, eats a ton, and poops normally. He spends the day running around his tank and being active. The next day, he's back to being slug-like in his hide. He's gaining weight and growing normally, but he just likes his "down" days.
Remy--
Remy's personality is still a mystery. He's (or she???) in the teen phase where he spazzes out when you touch him. He loves food and devours greens. He's just still too young for me to know what he'll end up liking (or not liking).
Tiger-
Tiger is the Prince of the house. He is the favorite (shh! Don't tell the others!) because my teen daughter says so. She trained him to give her kisses and he adores being swaddled in soft blankies. He does have a complex about his size (he's stunted and we call him "Pocket Size") and becomes very aggressive when he sees other beardies and lizards. He thumps his head and blackens his beard ultra fast and, most of the time, all the other beardies submit to him (even if they are twice as big!)
No two bearded dragons are alike and, like a box of chocolates, you never know exactly what you're going to get. ;)
