Re: help on taming new iguana

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Posted by Thom on September 16, 1998 at 15:23:32:

In Reply to: help on taming new iguana posted by zak on September 16, 1998 at 12:45:00:

PATIENCE!!! Your new IG is going to have to figure out that you're not a predator, and you don't want to eat it. I recently acquired a second IG, who's thrashing his tail at me too when my hand approaches. First, NO sudden movements, take it slow around them - speed equals get eaten! Start out by petting your IG on the sides slowly, and gently. Never pet the top of the head, as they have a 3rd eye that senses light up yonder. As you start building trust, handling will get easier, and the thrashing will diminish. As P-O'd as you might get, realize the thing is scared, and just instinctively protecting itself, so don't try and punish it, or do anything rash OR you risk never gaining the trust of the cute little critter. It can take several weeks to months of building this trust, and overcoming the stress of a new environment. IG's get stressed out very easy, and their behavior follows. There's some great info on the net, and many books can help too. A great website is by Melissa Kaplan (below)that's very informative, and includes alot of does/don'ts. Diet, habitat, and handling lead to sucessfully maintaining a good healthy IG for the long run. Good luck to you, and hope you enjoy the mad crazy world of IG's!!!

Melissa Kaplan's IG page(s)

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: PATIENCE!!! Your new IG is going to have to figure out that you're not a predator, and you don't want to eat it. I recently acquired a second IG, who's thrashing his tail at me too when my hand approaches. First, NO sudden movements, take it slow around them - speed equals get eaten! Start out by petting your IG on the sides slowly, and gently. Never pet the top of the head, as they have a 3rd eye that senses light up yonder. As you start building trust, handling will get easier, and the thrashing will diminish. As P-O'd as you might get, realize the thing is scared, and just instinctively protecting itself, so don't try and punish it, or do anything rash OR you risk never gaining the trust of the cute little critter. It can take several weeks to months of building this trust, and overcoming the stress of a new environment. IG's get stressed out very easy, and their behavior follows. There's some great info on the net, and many books can help too. A great website is by Melissa Kaplan (below)that's very informative, and includes alot of does/don'ts. Diet, habitat, and handling lead to sucessfully maintaining a good healthy IG for the long run. Good luck to you, and hope you enjoy the mad crazy world of IG's!!!

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