Posted by BabyHerp on July 17, 2000 at 22:28:22:
In Reply to: New Iguana Question posted by Aaron on July 17, 2000 at 16:31:01:
Igs have their own indiv*ig*ual personalities. What you are seeing is what I would call the honeymoon phase. Every ig has a built in defense mechanism...some get catatonic...freeze as if dead, others are super flighty. Yours may be terrified or you may have just gotten lucky and got yerself a fairly tempered iglet for NOW ;-)
An iglet that is flighty is perfectly normal. I wouldn't be over zealous handling your iguana for the first few weeks. Let him get used to one stressor at a time....his new digs & new owner etc. Be patient, be friendly, calm only feed & clean after him....let him connotate you with good feelings not a giant human hand monster sweeping down on him to control him. Establish trust....hand feed him on occasion. Provide him a hide spot away from peering eyes. Igs mature or immature stress and react to sudden unexpected change adversely. Once he begins to get used to your presence,enviroment...then begin the handling process. Leaving your hand in the tank for a bit the first week.....do not pick him up yet...just leave your hand in there...read to him...patience...establish a routine. Then proceed slowly thereafter.
Sure put tepid-warm water in the sink to his shoulder level....he should be able to stand on his front legs with his head above water. Make sure to santitize the sink after with bleach & water.
My iguanas are 5ft.+ so hiding for them is close to impossible...doesn't mean they can't give me a run for my money tho if they were to try! Make sure all enclosures are escape proof and you shouldn't have a prob. Iglets are notorious for Houdini acts...a tiny hole somewhere becomes a great escape hatch...so check that screen & cross those Ts ;-)
Gina