Re: Arrrggghhh, he's getting testy

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Posted by PH Meliss on October 18, 2002 at 17:37:01:

In Reply to: Arrrggghhh, he's getting testy posted by Jef on October 18, 2002 at 12:02:57:

:He gets a 150 watt reptile light in the day

What's the daytime temperature gradient? Basking area gradient? Don't guess ;) - what do the thermometers say?

:and a regular blacklight at night.

Are you talking about a nocturnal reptile light (purplish/bluish incandescent bulb for heat)? What are the night time temps?

Are you using a UVB source, or is he getting unfiltered sunlight?

:He's fed Zoo Meds Juvenile formula mixed with (this week) turnip greens, tofu,

Lose the tofu, especially if you are regularly feeding any soy (including any that may be int he ZooMed food), and the goitrogenic veggies...

:purple plum,

Okay...

:and candied cherries for dessert.

Not okay. Candied anything isn't okay. Buy the fresh frozen cherries, blueberries, strawberries, mixed berries, etc. that are frozen without sugar added. You can get them year round. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to find frozen mango chunks.

The ZooMed should only be small part of the diet, not primary staple. You'll find info on ig diet (and why commercial foods are a problem) in my Iguana Care, Feeding & Socialization and other articles at my Green Iguana and Food & Feeding sections of my site.

:He forgot he can whip me

LOL!

:I know this has to stop before he gets big, but how do I go about it?

First, you need to figure out why he did it or does it. Is it because he's older than you think and may be hitting sexual maturity (12 months)? Was he feeling cornered by you (the closer he gets to sexual maturity, the more territorial he will become)? Getting ready to shed? Any potential injuries that might be causing pain/discomfort?

:Ive tapped him on the nose (NOT A THUMP, JUST A TAP to get his attention, for all you bleeding hearts) and he backs down,

For now, until he figures out that's all you will do...

:but when I try to pick him up he'll get me again.

Do you pick him up and hold him for a while anyway, or tap his nose and leave him alone? If you are doing the latter, you are reinforcing the nipping. If you ignore it by picking him up anyway, then he's going to learn that nipping doesn't control you.

:He knows I'm the boss and he usually takes my affection in stride.

There is a difference between "I will let you pet me because I enjoy it" and "I let you pet me because I enjoy it but I also like to be picked up and handled and do stuff". The first behavior isn't tame - it's another way of controlling encounters with the human. The second is tame - the iguana not only acknowledges to himself and you that he enjoys the petting and attention, but also recognizes that you're going to pick him up whether he wants to at that moment or not, and is willing to go along with whatever you have planned so long as he doesn't have to poop, or is uncomfortable due to preshed or an injury, or has a full tummy and needs to stretch out and get digestion going.

:I just want to nip this thing in the bud, beforte its too late and I have a little butthole on my hands.

Then I suggest you not sit on your hands. <[ducking]

--
PCFMeliss
Pet Host for PetHobbyist.com * Iguanas
Herps and Iguanas
Herp Societies/Rescues and Vets

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Re: Arrrggghhh, he's getting testy Jef 10/21/02 (0)
Re: Arrrggghhh, he's getting testy Jef 10/21/02 (0)