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My pet iguana still runs from me every time I reach into his cage. Any ideas?
I bought him as a baby from the pet store and brought him home December 1st. I gave him the first 3 days to get used to his new environment before reaching into his cage (besides giving him food and water). The first time I reached in to grab him, he did great, I approached him very slowly and he let me pick him up without running. But now, even though I try to approach him slowly, he takes off running as soon as I open the cage. Is it because iguanas are territorial and feel like their space is being invaded? He calms down very quickly after I do catch him. He never bites me or whips me with his tail. And when I do catch him, I hand feed him. So I just thought by now he wouldn't run from me anymore knowing that the routine is I am going to feed him.
3 Answers
- ftfisher4x4Lv 78 years ago
Taming an iguana is an ongoing process that plays out over months, not days. You must establish trust with the iguana. Its instinct tells it that you are a predator. Grabbing it will only reinforce this notion.
Continue to simply supply food and water and spot clean the cage. Don't mess with the iguana. The goal is to let it see you as a non-threatening part of its environment. Work closer to the iguana over time, but still don't bother it. What you want to see is the ability to get closer and closer without putting it to flight. Work your way up to being able to touch the iguana. When this doesn't cause any commotion, try touching its belly. On and on it goes until the iguana does not see you as threat. You simply cannot force yourself on the iguana or "show it who's boss". That will produce a fearful, defensive iguana. When your iguana is 4 to 6 feet long and its tail can leave a bloody welt and it's bite can send you to the ER for stitches, you don't want a fearful, skittish iguana.
- 8 years ago
It probably is about their space being invaded, if you get him out everyday and interact with him, he should get used to you after a while. Or it might be a thing that stays with the iguana.
- 8 years ago
Give him some space let his emotions balance out a while and soon he'll get comfortable with his environment, then you can make your move on him
