Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi!

Just wanted to let everyone know that my long awaited Cayman hybrid arrived yesterday! He/she is 7 weeks old and is from David Blairs' "Big Blue". I am pretty sure he is eating (hard to tell cuz he walks through it) and he is doing his "duties". He is very active and alert and is just beautiful! :0)

I do have a question about taming. I did nothing with him yesterday, just basically left him alone to settle in. This afternoon I got him out of his cage with him panicking a little, but not too badly. Since he is so jumpy I put his hip leash on to prevent me from losing him. He sat on my arm for about a second and then jumped off and was hanging by his hip leash. Of course this scared him, so he crocodile rolled and hissed a lot. With him rolling, hissing and gaping, I was finally able to get him in a hand towel and calm him down. I talked to him for a little bit while I held him in the towel and then put him back in his cage.

I think I only succeeded in freaking him out more since he promptly went into his rock cave and has been there ever since. :0( Am I rushing things? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.........Carole?......jiffypop?

Thanks,
Naomi and "Norbert"

Hi, I know how badly you want to handle Norbert but I think you have to be patient. I would handle him in the cage for now very gently. I look back at Tashmoo's training process and we tried to put a hip leash on her at 9 months old and it was an ok way of keeping hold of her in case of a freak out. But I dont think I would put one on a 7 week old. I think their freaking out on the leash could injure them.

I'll tell you what Jane told me years ago... Patience. Keep handling but realize that he most likely will not calm down too noticeably til he gets some size on him. Tashmoo was noticably calmer at just over 1.5 years and really chilled into her 2nd year. Due in large part to taking her out of a cage situation and letting her freeroam a room.

Carole

Photo of Tashmoo (RIP)

From my own experiences I would tell you to give the new guy a week or so before handling it at all. Let it get acclimated to his new surroundings and then work with him slowly.

Hi!

Thanks Carole and kiss44 for the suggestions. I realize that it was kinda a dumb move on my part to try for so much yesterday. I am taking everyones advice and just leaving Norbert alone for a couple of weeks. After he settles in and adjusts to his new environment, I will progress slowly from there with only touching him while he is still in his cage.

I agree Carole, Norbert is way too small and spastic for the hip leash.......Iggy taming lesson 2 learned! :0) BTW, that is my favorite picture of Tashmoo,thanks for sending it.

Thanks so much!
Naomi & Norbert