Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My iguana is about 43 inches long and was purchased in December of 2000. He is becoming more and more aggressive to the point I am almost afraid to reach into his cage to care for him. He has bitten me badly twice and tries to whip me with his tail. I contacted the iguana rescue in my area and they said that while they would take him in, its very likely he's a candidate for euthanasia. I hate to see him killed unless that is the only option because I feel very responsible for him. In your experience is it possible to break an iguana of aggressive behavior? Is it possible that a different person would have better luck with him? Any suggestions you have for me would be much appreciated.
Donna

This is breeding season for Igs....he's just being an IG! lol
Look up Melissa Kaplin's site ....you can learn all about breeding season, don't give up on him!

I agree that it is breeding season. He sounds large enough and its that time of the year....

it will be over soon... dont worry...

is there any orange or rust color on him by any chance...?

p.s. buy some welder gloves to protect from the bitting.

i hope this helped

joe n tiny

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Healthy and fat Igg(Tiny)

Rehabing Mali Uro(Buddy)

Yes, there is quite a bit of orange running down his back and on his legs.
The welder gloves are a good idea. I'll get some right away, thanks!

Yeah orange means he is definently in breeding season...

it will be over before you know it...
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Healthy and fat Igg(Tiny)

Mali Uro(Buddy)

I think everyone on here is right, it is breeding season. Lest you think that "Oh, that's fine for everyone to say, but they don't know what MY iguana is like!" let me assure you that we have seen the best and worst of iguanas.

My iguana, Bud, is about 3 years old. Most of the year, he is so docile that he will come over to me and lie on my chest while I'm watching TV, and then he'll fall asleep. Right now, I can not even take him out of his cage except to take him to go potty once a day. He is just too violent!

When in the cage, he thrashes against the cage trying to attack me (He does not attack males, but unfortunately I am female!) and has bitten me, tailwhip, and scratched. When OUT of the cage, he chases me around and tries to mate with my foot, hand or neck!! My mom thinks it's funny, but let me tell you it's not. I can't take my eye off of him for a second. He has NEVER done these things before this breeding season, he was my little baby!

I just really want you to know that he is far, far better off having a home with you where he has to stay in the cage (while he is too violent) is far, far better than going to a shelter with an uncertain future. Your iguana does not mind that you can't handle him much right now. Reptiles really do not need or want human contact all that much, and you should not feel guilty about caging him when the issue is his and your safety.

It will be over soon! Even now, my iguana is behaving a little better every day. He has even remembered his potty training again- it used to be like clockwork, but lately he is just going whenever and wherever, not how he's been trained.

Post and tell us if he's behaving better soon!