Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK.. I have had a couple large iguanas they are easy to deal with.. I recently recieved a baby he is small the size of a sharpie.. I have a couple questions one being how is the safest way to hand tame him for him.. He is small and he is flighty he runs he doesnt whip doesnt bite just runs im scared to hold him because I have to restrain him somewhat to keep him from jumpin out my hands but he is small and fragile and I dont want to squeeze him.. Hows the easiest way to tame him.. Also, he was housed in a large terrarium with 3 other iguanas about 4 times his size when I picked him up at the place the other 3 were layin in bottom on top of each other sleepin and he was high up in a tree like hiding.. Could he be traumatized and will he ever snap out of it... I have read alot about iguanas but nothin specific comes up about babies.. He is now housed in a 50 gallon standin on its side tall ways alone he has a couple hides and a nice hubiscus tree in there conditions are perfect.. Any info would be great thanks...
JBuGG

You dont.
At that size/age, it's too small to be handled without causing stress.
First things first, let it get acclimated, then used to ur presence, then much later on to random physical contact NOT handling. Chances are it has been traumatized by the dominant cage-mates.
It will take a long time before it is safe and productive to handle it, right now you're only making things worse.

Remember, iguanas hate change, so u can only immagine what that little thing is going thru.
Make sure the others do not harm it or stress it either, and offer it plenty of hiding spots to feel secure.

Good luck!

-IJ

Ya he is now housed alone. And have plenty of hides and places he can disapear from view.. I figured he was tramatized I just have seen people with babys in the past that were much more mellow.. I am a snake breeder so he has been in Quarantine for about 2 weeks now so 2 more weeks and he will be introduced into the reptile room.. He is just flighty not aggressive I havent attempted handling him since the 1st day I have got him.. Thanks for the info and anymore would be awesome...
Jbugg

Just my two cents: mellow babies equal sickness. The fact that he is flighty is a good thing. It means he is probably healthy. A baby that doesn't mind being handled or just sits there isn't a baby you want.
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~Sara~
5 ball pythons
1.0 Black-lined plated lizard (Lizzy Butt)
0.1 Burmese Python (Pixil)
lots of Rats
1.1 Dogs (Ozzie and Mandy)
0.1 Cat (Isis)
0.0.1 Synodontis Catfish (Big Spotty Fish)
0.1 Convict Cichlid