Posted by iZ's mom on July 06, 2000 at 16:05:52:
In Reply to: A few Iguana taming questions posted by DanD on July 06, 2000 at 09:13:03:
yep, being very easily scared/startled is what keeps them alive in the wild and as far as *they* know, keeps them alive period! *grin*
the biggest most important things are lots of patience, persistence and more patience!
keep a set daily schedule as much as possible ... this way the ig will know *what* to expect and *when* to expect it ... that will take *some* of his anxiety away ...
move slowly and try very hard to not accidently sneak up on him ... start talking to him before you're real close ... i scared the snot out of iZ once cuz i thought he saw me coming towards him but he was zoned out + day dreaming + didn't notice me til i was right there ...
igs feel safer/more in control when they are up high, *at least* at eye level with you when you go to pick them up ... try very very hard to *not* "loom over" them!! that just sets off their instincts/alarm system, it takes young igs a while to *believe* that you are not gonna have them for a snack! (this is pretty much impossible to do if your ig is in an aquarium ... )
iZ has taught me that he feels less threatened (+ again, more in control) if i pick up the back half of his body 1st + pause a second so he can feel he's got a good grip on my wrist + isn't gonna fall ... then, i put my other hand under his upper chest + lift him up and onto my shoulder ... the principle's the same even if your ig is a "one-hand-size-iglet" ... slide your hand under him about where the tail connects to the body first ... (another benefit of getting the back end first is that the biting end is facing away from you!)
remember that igs are wild animals, not domesticated like cats/dogs ... it's going to take alot longer to earn your ig's trust! also remember, that ig has the potential to be 5-6 feet long, you really want to put alot of effort into showing him he *can* trust you while he's still small!!
best wishes!
Bon.