Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What should I do? Ok my iggy for the last two weeks or so has been free roaming around the house. The reason for me doing so is cause he started to be really difficult in his cage. I couldn’t even get near him. Well while free roaming he became like a baby again. Lets me hold him, pick him up with ease and just sits on my shoulder etc. Well, today I decided to try the cage again. When I got home and went to pick him up he was back to his old self. Is it territory thing? Should I just let him free roam? I have the house set up for both so I can do both.

Well first if your house is set up for free roaming and your iguana behaves better when free roaming I don't really see a reason why you would not want it to continue. But if there is some great reason you cannot continue this then you are probably in for a lot of work. From what I have heard and seen many but definitely not all iguanas can become territorial about there cages. Some will never really like you to take them out of there cage but most will at least tolerate it if not "like" it if you continue to work with them. The main point though is if you have to keep him in his cage for some reason take him away from his cage when you are handling him. Maybe even give him a treat when you are first getting him out to let him know he gets something good out of having you in or around his cage.

Hope this helps and I didn't just ramble on making no sense!!
Stephanie

I personally think that free roam isn't a bad idea as long as your home is "iguana proofed". Some like to eat anything they can get into their mouths. Mine tried to eat my son's orange shirt yesterday (perhaps hampers with lids are a good idea if there will be laundry anywhere he can roam- ads to list of things to buy). If in doubt, try leaving him in the cage when you're away and let him roam freely while you're home.

I wish I was in a position to let mine free roam more. But with sugar gliders, a turtle and a couple of birds, not to mention all my wonderful nicknacs, it's not a good idea. Though, I have been working on proofing my room so I can let him roam there. It's starting to look pretty bare.

One of the things I do suggest in the free roaming that I don't always see talked about is make sure any outlets that aren't being used have the child caps in them, or that ones that are being used have tight sockets. If your iggy is anything like mine, he'll love to try to climb the walls. There have been a few times those toes have nearly slipped into sockets. So, now I'm taking measures to ensure I don't end up with a crispy fried lizard.

I'm personally all for whatever makes the lizard feel more secure and happy. Being caged does increase their stress in many occasions, not to mention restricts the amount of exercise they are able to get.

Just my two cents anyway.

~Laura~

Once, Bud got a few feet up the brick wall in the kitchen in my boyfriend's apartment. I couldn't believe it. I was standing right there watching it; he had shimmied up between the garbage can and the wall, then climbed another good few inches above that. Now when I'm visiting there and we go out without Bud we block him into one room with a big, glossy cardboard box pinned up against the doorway with a chair. So far, so good.