Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I have a 16mo. old green iguana named Morpheus. I have had him since he was a tiny hatchling, and even after all this time, and daily handling, he STILL runs, whips and bites when we try to pick him up. I have tried everything I can think of to get him to calm down, but nothing seems to work. He has a nice big enclosure, his diet is very well balanced and his appetite is beyond great. His temps are perfect, what am I doing wrong?? Since we got him he has spent the first 10-15 mins in our hands squirming whipping and trying to bite, and then calms right down, until something reminds him that he is in fact being held, and he starts all over again. We never put him back into the enclosure while he is acting this way, he always goes back in once he has calmed down.

Is there anything you can suggest, that may work for my baby?? I love him to death, but am afraid that eventually he will be too big to be able to handle if he continues this behaviour.

Thanks in advance..... Here is a pic of Morphee taken yesterday!

Leyla x

It took me just about 2 years but now I can reach in and
pick him up with no problem. He has actually turned out
to be very sweet to me but does not care for strangers.

I only had time to handle him everyother day if I was lucky
but all of my persistance paid off.

Linda

Thanks so much for replying!!

He ran to the back of his enclosure today while I was cleaning up in there and getting him some fresh greens (he always does this). I have him in a vision enclosure, so I can zip the front wide open.....I finished cleaning, and left it open and just sat there for a good 15 - 20 mins talking to him with the front wide open, and for some reason today he stopped clinging to the back and came back to the branch in the middle!!! It's a small accomplishment, but still a good one! There may be hope yet.

I'll keep posting and let you guys know how it goes.

Leyla x

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1.0 husband
1.3 kids
0.1 african sulcata tortoise
1.0 Argentine Black & white tegu
1.0 green iguana
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 egyptian Uromastyx
1.2 canine buddies
1.0 Nubian Dairy Goat

I just picked up an iguana from a pet store for free a couple weeks ago because it had a skin problem. he's becoming very healthy now and fat. he definitly hates being grabbed but he calms down after only like a minute and sometimes he doesn't want to be put down but it's just that initial catching him that's tuff. He was treated horribly at the pet store and never handled so this doesn't surprise me but he's never tried to bite but he definitly tail whips which doesn't bother me. I like the challenge. So stick with the handling and don't give up it's about progress not perfection.

How often and when do you hold him? I would suggest holding him every day around the same time. They like routine so try to stick to it. When you do hold him, make sure it's for a good long while. Walk around the house with him, watch tv with him, even help the kids with homework. Whatever, just keep it up. Remember though, there is no garantee he will ever be "tame".
A good time that I like to hold my restless fosters that come to me is in the evening before bedtime. The worst time is first thing in the morning. My older male and female are calm now and will tolerate handling but still are not "lap" lizards. Heck, I'm just happy I can give my big boy a scrubb on the neck and pick him up, etc. Two years ago I couldn't come near him unless he was out of his enclosure in my "territory". Soon you'll know whether yours is a male or female. You've probably already read about breeding season and compared to that what you're experiencing is a cakewalk. So, anyway, start now on a daily basis and don't give up. JN
PS one thing I did with my male when he was young enough not to do damage, 'cause he was a biter too, is put thick bandaids or a washrag around my finger and let him bite away. When he realized it didn't affect me and I wouldn't put him down he stopped. Well, for a few years at least. *grin*