Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ig wont eat if Im looking at him. I can be way across the room and if I even glance at him he stops eating and wont start again for another like 20 mins. Whats the deal? Anyone else experience this problem?

-Philipp

Sometimes my igs will do that if they know someone is watching them. They just want to see what you are doing and why you are looking at them. In the morning when I get their food I hold the plate up to them where they are sitting and let them eat until they don't want anymore. If someone walks by or makes a sudden load noise they will stop eating and look around. Then they look at me like why did I make them stop eating. I have to tell them... it's ok go ahead and eat. Also they don't like being caught on the bottom of their cage( that's where their food is). If they are eating and I see them and they see me they will stop eating until they find out I'm not going to bother them. Then they will go back to eating even if I am watching them. I keep saying "they" because they both do the exact same thing when it comes to their eating habits. Have you tried holding the plate of food up to him and letting him eat while you are holding the food. If that don't work try putting some banana or squash on the plate and I bet he won't care who is watching. My igs love squash and bananas, they will run right to you if they know you have that. It's really funny. That's just a habit I got into because when I first got them they didn't want to eat and I wanted to make sure they were eating. They got used to me feeding them, but they still eat when I'm not feeding them. I hope that helps. Sorry so long.
Brian

Well, I add butternut squash every other day or so and switch up with yams and beans and stuff. But I always have the Turnip, Dandellion, Collard, Mustard Greens, w/ Escarole, Salad of Savoy, and Kale mix. He never eats out of my hand or if I put some food up to his mouth... Even fruits. He is so shy at eating that I either have to be completely out of the room or be sleeping and have all the lights turned off.

What a shy little guy...

Awww. Silly Leezard. Maybe someday he will let you watch him eat. I think when they eat is the coolest thing.

I wonder what we could do to get them to eat in front of us???

Cujo used to be the same way. In his case, it was because we had cats. Since we no longer have any cats, he is way better about eating in front of us.

Setting his food dish higher up also helps tremendously. Basic jist is he's gotta feel secure in his environment. If you can secure his food dish up closer to the middle of his enclosure, it might help. Interacting with him on a regular basis will also help with his shyness. You don't necessarily have to take him out each time, either. Just reach in and try to stroke him for a few seconds. It does help a lot.

Also keep trying to hand-feed him treats. Find out what his absolute favorite foods are. Try feeding the treat with some tongs at first if he's shy about your hand. Time and persistence will eventually pay off.

If you had met Cujo when I first adopted him and then see him now, you would not believe it is the same lizard. He has turned into the biggest sucky-baby.

Hope this helps!

Julie