Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone. Ok, after finding this site I have revamped my IG’s cage and changed his diet. I think he is happier for the changes – certainly eating a lot more these days.

But I still can not handle the little bugger – I need to chase him around his terrarium in order to catch him. It was suggested to put my hand in the cage every day so he is use to me – ok, I am doing that....no changes yet (but its only been a week or so). I feed him every day. I would like to know if I can stop putting food in is bowl and use my hand instead? Would this be a useful training measure or torture for our little Jazzy?

Jazz is about 6 months old right now – not sure at what age he (or she) will calm down at.

You can certainly try hand feeding for iguanas that are very
food motivated. Digit, although a good eater, is not motivated
food wise. My best advice is not to push so hard. It took
me 2 years with mine. Your ig will get use to you and become
confident in time. Except for the necessary handling, I let
Digit lead the relationship. One day, all of the sudden, the
light went on and we now have a great relationship. He looks
foward to our interactions. He allows me to handle him
and cuddle him and dress him up (OK, that is going to far).

Linda

I am not sure if he is food motivated or not - he looks at the food and that's about it. How many days can he go without food in his cage ? I don't want to be mean for the sake of training.

Oh, I don't mean for you not to feed him everyday. I am
just saying that if he is extremely food motivated to try
and hand feed him maybe some of his favorite treats. This would be in addition to his normal feedings. Never withold food.

Sorry for the confusion.
Linda

Oh, darn it ! I have not feed the little bugger in a couple of days and I won't be home until tonight. Will he be ok?

I hope by starving him he doens't hate me any more than he already does.

lol good thing hes not a free roamer he would poop on your pillow a little (not even joking they do this) lol pick up iguanas for dummies on half.com amazon.com or ebay for cheap.

also, dont only feed him by hand, he will then learn that the only way to eat is by hand and eventually wont touch it otherwise, theyll starve themselves I guess if you dont feed them by hand, dont worry hes young and stupid but I can PROMISE you. if you are constantly holding him in and out of the cage daily atleast 4-5 times a day I give it a month max that he doesnt warm up to you and I mean that as in picking him up handling him for a few minutes letting loose of him in your hands when he relaxes so that he learns that when hes relaxed youre relaxed there for there will be no more struggle after awhile. (my iguana when I first got him would be in total freakout mode till I set him on my shoulder for the first few months, had no idea what I was doing wrong) He sounds very small and young and typical, he'll learn to behave alot better though the older he gets... just dont let him go cage wild be consistant or expect a very [bleep]ty relationship between the two of you!

I never knew what I was missing till I held an adult relaxed fun iguana that loved to be pet and snuggled with. Be consistant!!! Get on a schedule!!!

Oh yeah one more story, I fed him bananas by hand alot at the begining, my girlfriend walked into his cage at one point when I was not home, he LEAPED off his basking net and bit and held onto her finger thinking it was a banana that she had in the other hand... luckily no stitches, just one pissed off little lady