A day ago I bought my iguana, who I know is still a hatchling. He has a 29 gallon tank which is longer than the standard type, so it seems it should fit him well whether or not he needs a bunch of space. I'm pretty sure I have all the stuff I need, but I'm worried I don't have a sufficient light source. I have the lamp-blacklight set up shining on one corner for him, but I don't know if it generates enough heat. It sure doesn't seem like it would.

Also, since I've got him, he's been very mean. He opens his mouth, hatchet positioning himself every time anyone comes near him (including the pet store employees) and if you even walk past his cage he tail-whips as fast as he can and as much as he can.

I know he's probably just startled, but I'm not sure what to do to help him. I bought freeze-dried vegetables specifically made for reptiles like him who need the 2:1 diet. He has sticks to climb on and a sort of wood-chip/ish bedding. I put his food in a dish near his water dish. I know he's gotten water, and it seems he's gotten food.

My questions are: When can I determine his gender?

Does he have to be hand fed, or will he eat from the food dish?

What can I do to tame him?

Also, I'd like to mention the he seems to nap all the time. He won't adventure around in his cage, either. What can I do for him? I can only worry, it seems, because I don't to wake him up. However, when he is awake and I try anything with him he just tail whips me over and over again and moves further away from whatever side I'm initially on, and then he ignores me. So trying to hand feed him doesn't really work.

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