What do to when an iguana will not let you near him?

Question

I bought a adult iguana from the pet store last weekend. When I bought him he will let me hold hm. I held him all the way home. Since then him will not let anyone around him. I have never had an iguana before and I bought him for my son. We have tried to just leave him alone. We also tried to just pet him. But anytime we get around him, he'll swipe his tail at us. I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

He is playing hard to get. You need to do the same. Reverse psychology works best on those who use it the most. Just sit with your back to him and watch him beg for your attention.

Answer 2

This one's tough; unfortunately, the salesperson should have told you that you should only buy an adult reptile that is absolutely tame; otherwise; it's always best to start with a captive bred juvenile; that way; the young lizard can get used to you as he grows up. Even if you do this; there's no guarantee that he'll stay tame once he matures; adult lizards; especially iguanas; go through a breeding cycle during certain times of the year where they become very aggressive and cranky; sometimes dangerous. You can try a few things however in this situation. To calm him down; try placing a sheet or towel over his eyes; then gently support his underbelly while keeping his legs against his body. You'll probably need another adult to help you; be careful of his claws; and espeically his tail. Give him some time to adjust to his new home; maybe a week, and see if he calms down; then keep repeating this process so that he hopefully gets used to being handeled; if not, you may have to keep working with him; or you may have to end up giving him to an organization that'll keep him for the rest of his life; even though he's not tame. There's also a great book about iguana care that you can consult; i've forgotten the author and the name; but most pet shops sell it; it's about $22 and the author has raised iguans for many years; he's an expert. Good luck with your pet; i hope the situation improves; i have a water dragon myself; they're a bit tamer and don't grow so large; i love reptiles; and it really gets to me that someone sold you an adult that was seemingly tame at first; and now you have a lizard that you may not be able to tame.

Answer 3

Well no offense but the better choice would be to get a baby or young iguana so they can grow up gaining your trust and the trust of people so it can feel safe. Since you got an adult, you don't know how people have treated it in the past and how or if it was handled. The best thing to do is to pick it up whether it wants to be or not, they don't bite so it's not a big deal. Keep holding it every couple hours for about 15 minutes lengthening every couple days by about 5 minutes. In time it should gain your trust. After a couple days try feeding it some fruit or veggies while you hold it. Keep trying this every time you hold it or at least once a day. When it finally does accept food from your hand while in your other hand, then you will have gotten the hardest part of taming done. From then on all you have to do is keep holding and feeding in your hand to keep trust. Remember when holding not to make any fast movements and to keep noise levels somewhat low. Hope this info helps you!
-Tiffany

Answer 4

They often react by swishing tail, they know intstinctively that if they scare you, you will maybe leave them alone.

Remember, this is not a mammal. Reptiles are all instinct. We had a big Iguana that we rescued from an abusive situation, she was scared easily, we nick named her "tastes like chicken" because she was always scared someone would eat her. Remember, since she's scared she is being defensive. Put gloves on and pick her up. Keep her away from your face, feed her by hand as much as possible. Try to pet and rub her before you pick her up, if you are making her feel good she won't be so scared. They have VERY short memories and need to be handled every two days, talk sweet and feed her. Remember they like to crawl high for safety.

They also will pick one person they like best. It was my son's pet, but Minnie decided me, Mom, was the person she liked in the house. She would crawl up on my shoulder and hide her head in my hair.

We tamed our sweet Minnie Dragon down very well, she was a lovely pet, she died of an illness and even at end would lean up against my hand to be pet and rubbed. Throughout her whole illness she never bit me.

Good luck, just remember, instinct tells them to be afraid all the time, it's your job to reassure them your house is safe.

Answer 5

Most Iguanas don't have a problem with you picking them up or touching them. Some just have a bad attitude (just like some people) and never like to be messed with. It sounds like yours probably felt more comfortable in the cage at the store it was used to and didn't feel threatened. Now in it's new home it's going to need some time to get used to it's surroundings before your going to be able to mess with it. I would suggest leaving it completly alone for a few days to give it some time to adapt.

Answer 6

Take the Iguana back to the pet store. He doesn't like you.
Why would anyone think an Iguana is a good pet ?

Answer 7

Hi
I had a iguana once and they are not friendly creatures at all they can be very territorial and down right mean. I hated o but I finally gave it up. I have also had a snake and it was friendlier

Answer 8

well different types of iguana act differently towards their owner

look at their behavior in their environments
but male iguanas are competitive towards other males

you have to give him space a little and then try step by step in comforting him in his new environment

Answer 9

hes just scared. comeing into a new advirment, hes nervouse. try talking to him, not trying to touch him just talk to him. he needs to learn that he can trust you. he needs to learn ur voice. take time and talk to him everyday. at least 5 times. just tell him about the weather or maybe some problems ur having or anything. just let him kno that ur his friend and ur not planning on hurting him. and if u stop petting him when he wips his tail at u, he will learn that wippin his tail means that he can stay in his cadge. u have to touch him even if hes wipping, u have to pet him at that time or he will never learn! and the same gose for bitting if he bites u, u have to keep playing with him or u just taught him to bite. because they will do anything to make u put them bac in there cadge, u have to be ferm and tell them no. and contune to play. Good luck!

Answer 10

leave him alone and let your son play with him of course