My brother adopted an iguana about a year and a half ago, and he's passed it on to me since he's going to college. I love the little guy, but I can only talk to him, not hold him or pet him. In the year and a half that my brother had him, he was only taken out of his cage about five times except for cleaning the cage out. I can't touch him because every time I do, he windmills his legs and shreds my arms (about 1/2 inch claws).
He's probably about five years old, and is about four feet long from nose to the tip of his tail. He's very placid; the few occasions where I have gotten him out he's never tried to bite or whip his tail, he just windmills his legs. We've tried clipping his claws, but apparently he has a secret weapon in the form of a poop shooter (yuck!).
Should I take him to the vet for a claw trimming or just continue to talk to him through his cage?
2007-01-14 04:16:29 · 8 answers · asked by Leafy 6 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
He's been in a cage for five years. I highly doubt that he would survive if I let him free. Not to mention, we got him from a breeder. He was bred in captivity, and so were his parents, and their parents, and theirs, and theirs, and theirs...
2007-01-14 04:23:47 · update #1
There are gloves you can use to help you hold the Iguana, and to make the iguana feel more secure by having something to hold on to. One place that offers them is called iggear.com.
To socialize an Iguana you need to hold it every day. You are lucky that he does behave was well as he does the few times you have gotten him out. Try reaching under the iguana rather than lifting him from the back. Iguanas are prey animals and have a fear of things comming at them from above.
You should take him to the vet, and not just for claw trimming. A reptile vet can best evaluate his health and treat any potential problems. Based on average Iguana growth charts, yours is in the range of a 3 to 4 years old. This could indicate a diet problem.
Please at least look at the first link below. It belongs to Melissa Kaplan, author of Iguanas for Dummies.
2007-01-14 05:43:13 · answer #1 · answered by Betty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get rid of the cage. I keep my two iguanas on a table with pillows and an electric blanket on top of the pillows. Their lights hang from the ceiling about a foot above them. I have 2 ceramic heaters clipped onto the light fixture's chain. If not, let him out everyday to get exercise and FREEDOM. I do hold mine. I pet them everyday. When you pick him up, do a quick transfer from cage (or wherever), supporting his legs, from behind to your chest/shoulder. That's how I do it and they do not squirm.
The only thing you will have to get used to is potty time. He will find a spot he likes and always go there. I put down newspaper in their spot and just throw it out. Try it on a day when you are home. When he looks like he is going to go, quick lift up his rear, by his tail, (real quick) and slide paper under him.
I clip my babes nails, just not all at once, it annoys them. First inspect the nails. Usually you will be able to see a red vein, you do not want to cut it, it will bleed. There is a differentiation, where the nail will be just a fine sharp claw, cut it with your nail clippers.
Please read "Iguanas for Dummies" and go to the web site thegreeniguanasociety.com
2007-01-16 10:29:04 · answer #2 · answered by shell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he claws you, use a good set of work gloves to take him out of the cage with and cover your arms with long sleeves. Create a "play pen" on the floor for him so he can get out for a while. No one wants to be in a cage 24/7. Talk to the local pet shop about what would be good to make a safe fenced in area for him so he can have some freedome. You'll want it Iguana friendly.
I would also talk to the vet about better Iguana care. What type of exercise do they need, do they get bored, etc. Do a search online at google.com for iguna care also. They may have some great ideas online.
2007-01-14 04:27:26 · answer #3 · answered by Voice 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its good that even with minimal contact, your iguana is as calm as he is. When you pick him up, I suggest sliding your hand under his body so that he lays across your forearm and his tail is tucked between your arm and side. He won't be able to hit you if he decides to and he is less likely to scatch you in that position. I would also suggest wearing a thick glove till he doesn't try to kick anymore.
To try to make him more docile, you need to spend more time with him. Igunana's are social creatures and tend to become less friendly with little contact. Set up a little area for him to crawl around in for a little bit each day, feed him outside his cage and try petting and continue talking to him. Its going to take time so patience is key. Since he does let you pick him up without biting or whiping, it shouldn't take to long till you'll be able to hold and pet him.
I had two 4ft igunanas. I adopted a male and he wasn't friendly at all. You couldn't pick him up without him opening his mouth and puffing out and when you did he fought and whiped his tail all over the place. I ended up giving him to someone who took a lot of time to spend with him and he eventually became friendly. My other iguana was a female who was as friendly as could be. She was given to me by a family who no longer had the space for her. When I met my husband (who lived halfway across the country), all the visiting, before I moved, and the less time I spent with her caused her to be less friendly. I did find her another great home though.
But bring him to the vet and get his nails clipped for now and have him do a check up to make sure everything is okay.
2007-01-15 01:55:16 · answer #4 · answered by galaciel21 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the vet to get his claws trimmed. Then you can begin to pet him, especially at feeding time, keep talking to him. It will take a while, but eventually he should calm down when you pet him. Then you can begin to pick him up and handle him, maybe trying this right before feeding him. You want him to start associate good feelings (being fed) with being handled by you.
2007-01-14 04:26:11 · answer #5 · answered by eilishaa 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It amazes me about us humans how we are so controlling in our ways as to take something from the wild and say this is going to be our pet...I would like the hear what the animals had to say if they could talk..
2007-01-14 04:25:53 · answer #6 · answered by chazzer 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
definatly take him somewhere for trimming but the more you pet him youll make a bond and hell love you
2007-01-14 10:50:19 · answer #7 · answered by skater girl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IGUANA ARE WILD ANIMALS AND TO KEEP THEM IN CAGES IS A SIN - OF COURSE HE CLAWS YOU - HE WANTS OUT
2007-01-14 04:21:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋