Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read that, in order to get your iguana used to, you should handle it daily until it is tamed. I did everything the way I was supposed to; I moved slowly and gently. I even stroked his back a bit. He was sitting on top of his log when all of sudden BAM! he's out, scurrying across my desk, my piano, and onto the floor in a narrow space behind my desk. I didn't want to him to get hurt or stuck, so I blocked both ends off and reached in--slowly--and picked him up. He slipped out, and I caught him by his tail. I didn't mean to, but it was that or have him drop to the floor and hurt again. He was freaking out in my hands and I placed him back in his cage, where he ran around panting heavily.

Did I scare him? Is it still possible to get him used to me, and if so, should I wait a while before trying again? He certainly doesn't look to happy to see me right now. Even when I open the cage to change his water or put some food in for him, he jumps and tries to climb out of the cage. Any tips on calming him would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

Young igs can be very skitterish. The phone ringing one time set Kam off when she was tiny. Any sudden movements even by somthing on the other dies of the room could had spooked you iguana. Don't get discouraged - with time and handling your ig will calm down more. When we first got Kam we got discouraged and thought we'd have a spastic hates-us iguana running around.
Avoid towering above the ig and keep getting him out. Kam liked it better when I slid my hand under her belly to lift her up and then put my other hand over her. Being grabbed from above was too scary i think. Also you don't need to worry too much about him falling. Prevent it if possible but like you know avoid the tail. Igs can be pretty resilant. Kam got too close to our metal spiral staircase and down she fell. I was horrified but she landed and took off running. No injuries. She was about 1 year old at the time. (never allowed near the stairs though cause it scares me too much).
I wish you good luck and lots of patience

np