Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, the iguana that we have rescued and now is a part of the family bit me over the weekend (I know they do that from time to time and am fine with it). One of those wonderful stupid keeper errors. It was actually caused by me reaching over him, he got suprised I got bit... but extremely lightly. My question- I know that you should not let the ig associate biting with getting their way (like being held, etc) but in a case where you it is incidental contact what is the best way to handle it? Should I reach for him at that point or let it go.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

The only time one of my igs bit me I just washed my hands and tried to pick him up again.. He did that because I went too fast to pick him up and he got scared..
Just wash your hands and try to pick it up again.. unless it is an adult male during breeding season.. of course.. lol
Later,
Dan

But since I wasn't picking him up in the first place? And with mating season how bad does it get?
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

ok, I thought you were trying to pick it up.. anyways, wash your hands right away and go back to whatever you were doing.. otherwise it will associate biting with getting away, like you said.
Males during breeding season can get really nasty, chasing you around with their mouth open, they try to attack you if you enter their territory.. Mine is a pain in the @ss right now.. He thinks he owns my room (our room...) and our relationship is pretty difficult since he got into breeding season.. It´s his first season so he is going crazy..
BUt it depends. some males become really agressive, others don´t.. it goes from male to male..
Later,
Dan

If after the bite you were nervous and angry it is better to wait until you calm down and start to love him again before handling him.Iguanas become VERY scared when we handle them in a bad mood (angry or nervous).

np
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids