Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I gave Rex is first "swim" today, and he seemed to enjoy it. After cleaning him, I examined the cut on the bottom of his tail; while it lacks scales, the flesh is a nice dark pink color, and looks smooth.

The picture doesn't do him justice, but my camera doesn't cope well with the full-spectrum lights in his terrarium. He has beautiful, irridescent blue-green scales on his face.

I'm guessing him to be between 18 and 24 months old, being about 17cm (7 inches) from snout the vent.

He's a very feisty fellow, with exceptionally sharp claws and a great grip with his mouth if he can get attached (as he did last week while we were putting medicine on his tail injury).

Question: What is the best method for getting a lizard to release it's bite?

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Hey, I have no clue. I think there's not much thing you can do... just wait.
And I think your ig is a little younger than that.. you've said 18 to 24 monthes... I think it's younger... but that's just a thought.
Good luck with him/her, Rex is beautiful!
Later,
Dan

I agree that your ig is younger - but mileage varies.
Two methods I have used for bite release, long ago, and for monitors as opposed to iguanas - I've been bitten by igs slightly larger than yours and they have never held on significantly. The important point is that you do not want to reflexively pull away. You may potentially do more damage to yourself, and possibly the ig as well.

I have put the animal and appendage being used as a chew-toy under cold running water, and have used alcohol, as in booze, not isopropyl, applied around the gums and on the tongue if accessible. I believe the alcohol method is used by large snake-keepers as well. I have also heard of, but never used 'Bitter Apple' a compound designed to keep puppies from chewing things up.

He might be younger. My only past experience with an iguana was Ziggy, who I acquired as a hatchling, and who was smaller than Rex at 16 months. On the other hand, Ziggy had congentital problems that may have stunted his growth.
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Scott Robert Ladd
1.0.0 Iguana (Rex)
1.0.0 African Giant Plated Lizard (Clyde)
1.0.0 Uro mali (Wizard)
0.1.0 Corn Snake (Amber)
1.1.0 Red-Eared Sliders (Jade and Emerald)
0.4.0 Homo sapiens (Maria, Elora, Becky, Tessa)
blog: http://chaoticcoyote.blogspot.com/

The way I have detached my iguana is to turn him upside down, i.e. at a ninety degree angle to the body part being bitten. Then gently squeeze the connecting points of the jaws.

The alcohol on a cotton swab is a good idea, also. But be careful about the water, it is very easy to send water down the wrong little iguana pipe!

The absolute best way to undo an iguana bite is to prevent it. If you see he's about the bite, but you absolutely must be touching him (for example, medication) you can hold his head right behind the jaws, like you would with a snake. Be gentle but firm. Or, wrap him in a towel with just his tail sticking out when you have to apply the medication. You can cover his head for a short period of time, it won't hurt him and it will probably calm him down. This is what I do to cut my iguana's claws when he is a wild man. Sometimes he even falls asleep in there...

Good luck!

I think Rex is much younger than that. Our iguana is about a year and is 9 1/2 inches snout to vent and 31 inches snoout to tail (with a 1/4 inch off since he broke it). Your ig should be around 8 months or so. This depending on his past history with light, food etc.

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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny