Yet one more example...

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Posted by Mr. D on March 12, 2002 at 08:52:59:

In Reply to: Concerned about an iguana bite.. posted by Kama on March 12, 2002 at 04:21:38:

One of the rescues we took in recently came in with a dirty bandage around the 1/3 of tail that was left. 24 hours after removing the bandage the vet was examining the tail which was still sensitive. Now, "Elwood" would most likely be a 4 footer if the tail was intact but he runs about 16"-18" SVL. He was getting pretty upset with the Doc and trying to bite so since I had the presence of mind to bring the WELDING GLOVES with me I put them on and let him have at those.

Short version is that I've NEVER felt so much power in an iguana's jaws before - yes I've been bitten probably half a dozen times in the last year and a half alone. Through leather fingers on WELDING GLOVES Elwood still managed to draw blood - not much, but the simple fact that he was able to do it at all just impressed me even more that these are STILL wild animals and have the ability to inflict a large amount of damage if/when they feel threatened. If this had been an "accidental" bite he would have easily gone to the bone on my finger and quite possibly removed everything between skin and bone. Bear in mind that iguanas have small versions of shark teeth. The teeth DO fall out and are replaced as necessary which means that it is not uncommon for a tooth to dislodge in a bite wound and cause problems with healing - not to mention potential bacterial infection.

Incidently, Elwood has not shown one bit of agression since that trip to the vet and actually seems to enjoy being rubbed down after a good spraying..... Even still, I keep a close eye on him when I work with him.

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: One of the rescues we took in recently came in with a dirty bandage around the 1/3 of tail that was left. 24 hours after removing the bandage the vet was examining the tail which was still sensitive. Now, "Elwood" would most likely be a 4 footer if the tail was intact but he runs about 16"-18" SVL. He was getting pretty upset with the Doc and trying to bite so since I had the presence of mind to bring the WELDING GLOVES with me I put them on and let him have at those. : Short version is that I've NEVER felt so much power in an iguana's jaws before - yes I've been bitten probably half a dozen times in the last year and a half alone. Through leather fingers on WELDING GLOVES Elwood still managed to draw blood - not much, but the simple fact that he was able to do it at all just impressed me even more that these are STILL wild animals and have the ability to inflict a large amount of damage if/when they feel threatened. If this had been an "accidental" bite he would have easily gone to the bone on my finger and quite possibly removed everything between skin and bone. Bear in mind that iguanas have small versions of shark teeth. The teeth DO fall out and are replaced as necessary which means that it is not uncommon for a tooth to dislodge in a bite wound and cause problems with healing - not to mention potential bacterial infection. : Incidently, Elwood has not shown one bit of agression since that trip to the vet and actually seems to enjoy being rubbed down after a good spraying..... Even still, I keep a close eye on him when I work with him.

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