Mean Iguana won't Tame!

Vivweaver · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 11:18 PM

Hello,
I have quite the dilema! My wife bought me a rescue iguana. She is about a year old. She has beautiful blue on her head and neck. Her tail is growing back. Here's the problem, she is very aggressive getting out of the aquarium.
The Iguana has been worked with for quite some time since she was rescued. The previous owner, who is very good with reptiles, handled her every day. She is just fine once you get her out, however when you reach in to get her, she whips her half tail at you. I know that when her tail grows back completely, she will not be able to be handled.

Here's what I've done so far:

I've opened the top of her aquarium, without picking her up to try to ease some of her anxiety.

I've left her out for long periods of time, but still if I put her back in her home, and try to get her out, she freaks!

The only thing I can think of is that she has a negative association with being picked up, so may be I can build a new home that's nothing like her current habbitat. Then she might lose the fear of leaving that particular housing.

She throws such fits, and I'm affraid that she'll hit her head to hard against the glass and hurt her self. Please help!!

luckyluke · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 10:00 AM

my beardie behaves alot like this too... the best way ive found to deal with it is a lil odd but it might help you out... i spray him with a lil mist of water and then put my hand down in front of him and slowly slide it under him... when my hand is completely under him and i have all his legs supported he chills right out... the water really helps!! not sure why but it just chills him right out...

hope it helps...

Vivweaver · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 08:37 PM

Oh ok, I'll try that. She does enjoy a fresh misting. I also read last night to have her out in a room with me, and when she learns that I'm not a monster trying to eat her, then she will learn to trust me more and more. I hope this works. I can't get rid of any animals, and I'd really like for us to have a better relationship. Also, I have read that iguanas like to hold on, not be held, so I'll do what you said, and put my hands in front, and that way she can climb up. Thanks!

beckdg · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 12:46 AM

i think a bigger cage and maybe an access area that may be more mutual... whereas you are not coming down at her from the top to pick her up... in the wild she would most likely sense you coming early and retreat to higher ground where she feels safe and look down upon you... you have reversed the roles... front opening viv may be the best for her... bigger cage would refer to her hurting herself... more room = less likelyhood of injury.

Vivweaver · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 01:09 AM

I totally agree. And there's no word better then telling some one they need to build "bigger" in this community! I am making a large tropical viv soon, with my leopard frogs. It would have a water fall plants, and indoor trees. I see no reason why I can't make it go to the ceiling, and give the Iguana a couple of trees to hang out it. >: )

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 08:10 AM

reptiles all have a "third eye" on the top of their heads that help them thermoregulate and sense when a predator is overhead. If you are having to reach into a tank to get her out, she is seeing your shadow pass over with that eye and that is why she freaks. Definitely build bigger. You can do some large, innexpensive enclosures with wood. Iguanas will need roughly a whole room by the time they are full grown anyway. Definitely go with something floor to ceiling with a front opening. at least once the length from front to back and twice the length long. I;m not sure what the humidity requirements are, but you should be able to go with screen (if you need to a humidifier will provide necessary humidity). You should be able to build the enclosure itself for less than $100. I think that this will go a LONG way toward making your girl more comfortable.

escargo_pf · #7 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 04:01 PM

I was going to say the same thing, "bigger" makes for a vast atmosphere which can relieve the stress. And yes it also depends how you handle her.

Vivweaver · #8 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 04:59 PM

Mean Iguana Update

Hello everyone!!!

Thank you for all your tips. She has been much, much better!!!

I added moss to parts of her very uncomfortable terrarium. Also, a HUGE fake plant was added (real ones will be with more $), and her diet was mixed up, and she was given larger quanitities of food, which she needed.

When I reach in, she still freaks out a little, but calms down a little better because I put my hand down low, and I slowly approach her from her head and feet. Also, I let her run around the house as much as I can. Iguanas need LOTS of handling, and you weren't kidding. I love it though.

Thank you again for your help!!!

butwhosetoblame · #9 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 08:18 PM

okayy well i have the same situation but worse...i got mine from a pet store who recieved it from a family who neglested and abused her shes about 1 1/2 years

i can barely feed and water her w/o getting tail whipped
shes in a cage 4'h x 3'L x 2 1/2'w
any other suggestions on what i should do for her to get used to me?

Vivweaver · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 10:55 PM

Yep! I have learned SOOO much!!!!!!!

Wear goggles and leather gloves if you must.

Only approach your iguana very slowly, low, and from the front.

"You will get bit, you will get whipped. Blood will be lost on your part, and when it's all said and done, you will have a great friend. Let him or her out frequently and roam the house, so it knows that you're not hunting."

This is what was told to me by the guy at Scales and Tales told me, and even though I didn't like it, it was true. I'm not trying to lecture you or talk down I promise : ). I've just had a hard day at work, and I don't have the mental stamina to write in a fashionable way.