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This lizard is very aggressive when I try to pick him up. He lunges at me and tries to bite me.He also does a lot of hissing. In short he has a lizard fit. I use a washcloth to pick him up and as I've said before he does seem to enjoy and relax when I stroke him, especially the belly area. He usually has a piece of the towel in his mouth and does not let go. I'd like to hear from others with wildman lizards and their success stories.

i have had a male for about two months now and he still freaks out when i stick my hand in the cage. i don't get hissing but he always opens his mouth. basically i put my hand down on the ground when he opens it and i give him a chance to calm a little and then i try again slowly. i always scoop them up, never put my hand over them to pick them up until they are used to me. he always puffs up really big while i am holding him but after a while he will relax. you just have to win their trust and just keep trying. i have another female lizard who when i got her two years ago always wanted to bite me. now i can pretty much do whatever i want to her and she could care less and it has been that way for awhile
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vonnie
***Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet. Mae West ***

Otis, my male was like that for a while after he was caught. Part of the problem was, I never had an interest in reptiles before he was given to me, and I was scared of him. I jerked and freaked when he did, and he responded a lot better to my boyfriend, who was used to handling collareds. Otis would allow him to pick him up long before he quit hissing at me. Once after I thought we were buds, he was sunning by the window screen and bit me when I picked him up. (He drew blood and hung on, too!) I started to handle him a lot in the mornings, soon after he woke up and was not real warm yet. Sometimes he was just too fiesty when he was warm. It took about 2 months before we were totally comfortable with each other. Now I can do anything with him, and he likes to ride in a shirt pocket. He also like to sit on my old fashioned huge monitor where it is nice and warm. It is not uncommon to have a tail or three hanging down over my screen these days.
It took about the same amount of time for my female, Saige, to calm down. She didn't bite or hiss, but stayed puffed up and looked terribly stressed all the time. When she finally did cave it was all in one weekend and since she has been a different girl.
Becoming a captive has to be a huge stress. Eventually you will win him over. Good luck! Valerie

I think handling him in the mornings before he heats up is a great idea. thanks for all the info.