gonna have your hands full but not hopeless at ALL

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Posted by Sharon on August 02, 2001 at 21:51:50:

In Reply to: advice on 'mean' iggy would be appreciated posted by Alilia on August 02, 2001 at 20:40:52:

Love is the best first step (and the willingness to take a few good tail whips!) **smile**
It is going to take time and patience to establish the trust needed to 'tame' this animal, and it sounds like you already understand that...Talking to your iguana is a very good first start, as theat will begin to establish a 'relationship' -

After a while of regular talking, singing, etc...try hand feeding him some favorite food of his...(pick something you can hold and he can tear off like some collard or turnip green leaf - you don't want to get your fingers taken off!) Iguanas will seldom refuse some good eats...and as he begins to associate you with 'food' - he may begin to come around more...
Also, don't rush to lift him up and HOLD him - even some tame iguanas would prefer to be petted rather than picked up...when he has been eating from your hand for a while try holding the leaf with one hand and reaching around to his side to pet him (don't go for the top of the head as it may freak him out) Usually the side of the abdomen or even a leg won't be too stressful...You can then create the association between YOU - THE FOOD - and PHYSICAL TOUCH...

For now don't worry about getting much further than that if he is as wild as you mentioned...Remember you are working on HIS time table and it could be MONTHS before he really begins to want to be touched....take it slow and don't give up...

good luck

~Sharon

: hi, im a new owner of a somewhat 'mean' ig,(i.e. tail lashing,hissing,
: open mouth posture)..granted, maybe i should have gone for
: a tame iguana, but i was afraid this one might be bought by someone
: who would abuse or mistreat him due to his behavior. He's about
: 3ft total length, and in good health, has been vet checked..
: Any advice on possible methods of taming would be appreciated. I
: already love 'Gibil' regardless of his behavior...i've left him
: alone except for feeding and talking to him since buying him to let him
: get used to the change...thanks in advance.

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: Love is the best first step (and the willingness to take a few good tail whips!) **smile** : It is going to take time and patience to establish the trust needed to 'tame' this animal, and it sounds like you already understand that...Talking to your iguana is a very good first start, as theat will begin to establish a 'relationship' - : After a while of regular talking, singing, etc...try hand feeding him some favorite food of his...(pick something you can hold and he can tear off like some collard or turnip green leaf - you don't want to get your fingers taken off!) Iguanas will seldom refuse some good eats...and as he begins to associate you with 'food' - he may begin to come around more... : Also, don't rush to lift him up and HOLD him - even some tame iguanas would prefer to be petted rather than picked up...when he has been eating from your hand for a while try holding the leaf with one hand and reaching around to his side to pet him (don't go for the top of the head as it may freak him out) Usually the side of the abdomen or even a leg won't be too stressful...You can then create the association between YOU - THE FOOD - and PHYSICAL TOUCH... : For now don't worry about getting much further than that if he is as wild as you mentioned...Remember you are working on HIS time table and it could be MONTHS before he really begins to want to be touched....take it slow and don't give up... : good luck : ~Sharon : : : hi, im a new owner of a somewhat 'mean' ig,(i.e. tail lashing,hissing, : : open mouth posture)..granted, maybe i should have gone for : : a tame iguana, but i was afraid this one might be bought by someone : : who would abuse or mistreat him due to his behavior. He's about : : 3ft total length, and in good health, has been vet checked.. : : Any advice on possible methods of taming would be appreciated. I : : already love 'Gibil' regardless of his behavior...i've left him : : alone except for feeding and talking to him since buying him to let him : : get used to the change...thanks in advance.

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