Reptile & Amphibian Forums

we bought a tiny baby iguana about 2 weeks ago. he's been pretty good so far. NO signs of agression AT ALL. he kinda runs around scared for a second until you catch him but if you rub under his chin or right under his eye he just melts and will sit there for hours.

this morning i went to grab him and he didn't run at all (surprise) but i went to pet him and he BIT ME!! it didn't hurt at all because he's such a little guy but it kind of shocked me and he kept trying to bite me and i didn't have a good hold on him so i put him back in his tank. i went to grab him again and he actually jumped up and lunged forward and tried to bite me again! i left for work and now i'm home for lunch and i walked by his cage and he tried to whip me with his tiny tail! he's never been like this and i don't understand the hostile mood change. i want him to grow up being mellow and not mean because i had one before that was pretty agressive. is there any way to reverse this behavior? and what can i do to try and tame him more? it's not a possibility that he be a free roamer because he's just too tiny.

why can't he be calm like my sweet and loving beardie and water dragon? jk i know that's not their nature but seriously, can i get some assistance?

First off he is still adjusting to his environment. And it is possible he has decided he is comfortable now and is going to defend his territory. Now when you pick him up soothe him like you have been doing. eventually he will be comfortable enough and will stop biting and swatting. What it boils down to is he is scared and just defending himself. That big hand coming down above him might seem like a prey seeking bird so try to change the way you go to pick him up. Instead of picking him up from above scoop him up from the bottom Give him some more time to settle in and be patient with him.

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Heather, Vern, Andy, Router, April And OODLES of fish