Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a baby green iguana a couple of weeks ago. He is about eight inches from his head to the tip of his tail. When I first got him he let me hold him and he didn't try to run away or anything. He just sat on my hand and ran up my arms. Now he runs across his cage and usually jumps out and runs behind my computer desk or my turtle tanks and it takes forever to get him out. He is also opening his mouth like he is going to bite me. Im thinking that he just has more energy because he is getting fed enough and being kept at the proper humidity and temperature. Well, I guess my question is can I wait until he is bigger to start handling him so I can put him on a lizard leash or something so he can't run behind stuff? How big/old is to big/old to tame easily? Im still picking him up and restraining him trying to let him get used to being held. He just seems like he doesn't like it very much. I don't guess he should like being picked up and held. I just want to be able to let him roam around the house when he gets bigger and not freak out and thrash around and bite me or my family.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I would not wait until he is bigger...he will just be more wild and a lot stronger....keep holding him every day for at least 15 minutes to 1/2 hr intervals...more time is better...of course make sure he isnt stressed and is eating and pooping ok good luck...from what I have read, (I own all adults that I adopted big) it can take up to a year or more to tame them...Lyn

i am new at this too!!
congrats!!
the people here are sure to help u (they are great)
but i think they will tell u to keep on handling him!!
a good site to check out is the Green iguana society and
http://www.anapsid.org/pdf/icfs.pdf

I would be cautious about using a leash. They tend to hurt the spikes. They can also cause an ig to brean his neck or his back if he takes a mind to death roll or accidentially gets tangled in the leash.

That said, I think you should handle him as much as possible WITHOUT the use of a leash. Trust before anything else. Be gentle and patient with him. He is a scared baby that is looking for a cold dark place to hide from the human that is chasing him. Use a soft voice and gently rub him. If he is an an aquarium dont swoop down from above, that makes him think u are something to eat him. instead try moving gently into the cage and scooping him up from his underside. It can take a very long time to tame your baby. Upwards of a year maybe even two before he trusts you. Time and patience are what it takes.

When he tries to bite you he is scared and thinks he is intimidating you. Speak softly to him and cuddle him and soon he will calm down and come to cherish these times out with you.

My igs climb the doors of their cages and wait for me to come open the door and let them free roam around the house. Mind you they are almost 3 feet long so we can keep an eye on them easily.

Good luck with your baby. If you have anymore questions please ask and if you can share pics of your baby! we love to see pics of babies. lol. Keep us updated on your progress with him
-----
Heather, Vern, Andy, Router, April And OODLES of fish