Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, can someone tell me what they did with their males during breeding season, as in how their iguana behaved, and how you coped with it?! I just rescued an abandoned iguana, and now that he is healthy and thriving again, I figured out the reason his previous owners probably abandoned him. He is vicious--attacks, or at the very least, gets in the defensive "crab-walk" stance to everyone who comes within 3 feet of him, male *or* female.

It's been a month so far that I've had him, and I don't know what to do. He is *bright* orange, as in the colour of a crayon, extremely strong, and will attack if given the opportunity. I have 15 stitches in my upper arm to prove it. I am experienced with reptiles, yet I find myself at a loss. I don't want to give him to an already overcrowded shelter, because I know what his fate will be.

Any suggestions anyone????????? Thanx....

I know exactly what you are going through. My iguana has been in serious breeding season since October. He is also bright orange and is nasty. He has thrown himself at the cage and completely desimated his nose. I am taking him to get surgery because the staples didn't work for him.
What I have done is put him and his cage in his own room. I let him out by standing back with a towel and he leaps out at me. I only pick him up when I have the towel. He loves biting the towel and thrashing it. (Better then my arm). I am always on the defensive and when he is out I have a towel in hand to block him or throw over him. I don't let him see my fear (I did at first cause I was so freaked out that he was so mean--I have had him for years and never saw any of this). Now I firmly say no and he is less mean but still a real monster.
Anyway, good luck to you and I hope that some of this helped.

Since October??! I hope you're kidding!!! Eight months is an awfully long time to be dealing with a breeding season male. I thought iggys only stay in breeding season for a few months. But I also read some iguana owner's website that says theirs stayed in season for THREE YEARS! Aghh.

The towel trick works for me too though it kinda freaks me out though to see the way he lunges and attacks it, "crocodile rolling". They're supposed to be herbivores. Where on earth did they learn to bite things like that? My iggy chomped a hole right *through* my jeans!

Its scary you are right!

I wish I was kidding......it has been horrible. The towel helps to protect me but also I let him have a particular one that he loves. He really likes that one....if you know what I mean. LOL

My boy Rocky gets that bright orange crayon coloring you are talking about, but fortunately he doesnt get evil, not like yours...and mine weighs about 12 lbs and about 4 1/2 ft of him...I have heard some people will give them a "luv sock" or stuffed animal to "mate" with and basically you have to just wait it out...My enclosure is made with a pull out drawer so that if he appears nasty, I can just feed and water him with the drawer as opposed to the sliding doors for my own safety...They are so pretty when they are that orange though arent they??? Good luck...Lyn

Yes I heard that some male iggys stay perfectly sweet throughout their seasons. I wish mine was one of those!! But I feel awful for this poor guy, and how someone abandoned him, so I guess I'll keep on trying. I actually wonder what he will look like green! As far as I've had him, he's been bright orange with a grey head...and -very- cranky.

As for the "luv sock" idea, it's actually pretty funny. I read on Melissa Kaplan's site how it sometimes helps with aggression, so I searched online and bought a 22" stuffed plush green iguana.... but when I put it in his cage, instead of trying to mate with it, he immediately and furiously attacked it. Heh. I'll have to keep that in mind if he's ever within biting distance of a female iggy. Thanx for the suggestion anyway though!

My Godzilla, previously a very sweet and tame 6/7 years old male iguana has been in his breeding season for the last 4 months.How i live with that?Well, before he was a free roamer now he is locked in his cage.But i still take him out once in a while with the help of a towel to check if everything is ok.