Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a long post - mainly because I don't know how to tell a short story or how to keep anything brief. I always have to start from the beginning.....

First of all, I would like to thank everyone regarding feedback and the cheap enclosures. Your feedback - and my husband's ingenuity - saved me the cost of buying the improper cage.

I opted for a temp solution (I actually purchased two iguanas a little sooner than I should have - but where they were and how they were housed was far worse than what I can currently provide). Basically, each iguana (both are male) has their own 3' by 3' by 5' screen/PVC house. Lights are soon to follow. Both have been eating well.

Well, I actually can't say that both have their own house at the moment. Caiden, the wild one, is secure in his little house. Noble, my vivacious and curious one, is currently sitting on top of a stack of boxes - fairly close to the ceiling and close to a window. He's been there for a few days - just walked around the entire house at first and eventually climbed his way to the top and has stayed there. His house will be complete tomorrow and then comes the hard part - the transfer.

My question is this - how and/or where do I begin to work with/tame these wild guys? Let me put it in perspective. Caiden, my younger wild one, was living in an extra large dog kennel for months. That's how I found him - stuck in this filthy enclosure and completely unsocialized. So, how do I start? I've had them both since Friday (which I am sure was fairly stressful on both of them - especially Caiden - when I let him free from the dog kennel, he was damn near jet black!). So, how much time do I give them to settle? How much time do I try to spend actually holding them (with protection on of course)? Basically, I'm looking for any/all advice out there.

I also plan on contacting a few of the local pet stores - to reach out and see if there is a local iguana expert - someone who could actually show me the ropes - I am so afraid of hurting these guys any more than they already have been.

Both guys are at least four feet long and are certainly not skinny - so they at least have that much going for them. And, now they are in a loving home with someone who wants nothing more than to work with them and incorporate them into the family. Once moved into our new home (in two weeks the whole family will be moving - my husband and I actually close on the house this upcoming Thurs) both iguanas will have a brand new HUGE enclosure. The PVC situation is small and only temp - but far better than what they were in... I could go on for hours.

One last question - I can't tell if Noble is being flirty or if I am just pissing him off. Everyday, I talk to both my guys - I tell them about my day, tell them how beautiful they are, etc, etc. I also make sure that they see me when I give them their food - so they can start attributing my face to a full belly. Tonight, the last time I went to check on Noble - the one sitting pretty and high up on the boxes - I started talking to him - just praising him and telling him how pretty he was. Well, he perked up, extended his dewlap, bobbed his head up and down, swayed back and forth a little bit, and stood tall, like a prince. I've seen him agitated before - he's even hissed once or twice - but this was new. Is this a good sign? Or am I just succeeding in making him mad? Certainly wouldn't be the first time I've made something or someone mad.....

Thanks for all the help. This has really been a great forum with lots of educated and intelligent help. Now that I have my guys, I will certainly be a regular and hope that I, too, can one day turn around and help someone else out.

- D
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2.0 Dogs (Dante the 110 lb. drooling lab & Amos the mutt)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (Lazlo - the pickiest lizard every met)
1.4 Leopard Geckos (Randall, Dagny, Kira, Dominique and Ayn)
1.0 Husband (the most obnoxious and yet rewarding pet of all!)
dacia2002@yahoo.com

" I started talking to him - just praising him and telling him how pretty he was. Well, he perked up, extended his dewlap, bobbed his head up and down, swayed back and forth a little bit, and stood tall, like a prince. I've seen him agitated before - he's even hissed once or twice - but this was new. Is this a good sign? Or am I just succeeding in making him mad? Certainly wouldn't be the first time I've made something or someone mad....."

That's a territorial display that males and femaled do sometimes. IMO it's a sign of well-being. Unless another ig is standing nearby

Roger

First of all, it is always SO wonderful to hear the devotion people are willing to give these wonderful iguanas. I'm glad to hear you haven't been too discouraged by their craziness.

I pretty much agree with what Roger said as far as the dewlap. He wasn't flirting with you, it is territorial behavior, but he's just doing what iguanas do. Since you've seen them really agitated, you know the signs to watch for and be careful of. When he does this don't bother him too much, but be persistent with your love - sometimes it takes a while.

Some tips for taming:
1. Be patient. This is the biggest thing. Some iguanas tame easier than others. Some take a very long time!!

2. Be persistent. The talking to them and being around them a lot is a very good thing. Get them used to you. If you are able to pet them a little do that. Gently stroke the spiny area behind the head or along their spikes. Pay attention to how they respond though. If they seem too annoyed then stop, but if they are tolerating it, do it for a while so they can get more used to you touching them.

3. Bath time! This was the single most helpful thing when I was trying to tame Spike. If you can't really hold them very well, take a towel and gently put it over them and carry them into the tub. This can sometimes be challenging depending on how unruly they are. Be gentle but hold your ground. You're boss! Have the water in there before you put them in so that doesn't frighten them. Don't make it isn’t too deep the first couple of times so they can get used to it, but make it deep enough that they can swim around a little. This will enable you to put your hands in with them and hold them maybe more than you can outside of the tub.

When I first got Spike I couldn't put my hand in his 20 gallon tank (he was smaller then) to change his food or water bowls without him trying to whip me with his tail and generally being really freaked out. I moved him into a larger enclosure shortly after getting him, but it didn't help. He was still very threatened by my presence. To get him to the tub took a bit of restraining, but once he got in the tub he was very receptive to me. I was able to put my hand under his body and pick him up with ease whereas before I could barely get near him!

I can't promise this will work for all iguanas, but baths are good for them anyway (as I'm sure you know). This is a good exercise and routine to help them get used to you in a non-threatening way. They learn to know what to expect and that you aren't going to hurt them.

Also, iguanas don't always do well with changes in their environment. Be patient while they settle into their new homes now and when you move. It may mean you have minor setbacks in progress, but they will come back around. Spike has never had a problem with even major changes with his environment, but some iguanas are very sensative to that.

I don't know how much of this you are implementing already, but I hope this is helpful. I agree that this is a great forum. This is where I first got advice on Spike and it was invaluable! Always ask all your questions. There are no bad ones!
Shanna