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Male behavioral help

adeliagrey Aug 18, 2008 11:00 PM

So I've had my male iguana for almost five years now. I've had him since he was very young and when he was big enough to not get lost, he's been free roam. I should point out that he's never been a lovey dovey iguana. He used to hang out but at some point he began to just tolerate us, didn't enjoy being around us.

Well, recently I moved into a studio and in an effort to keep some of my stuff intact (i.e. not crawled on and broken), I bought a cage to put him in while I was at work or at the store, etc. It started off well and he was getting out regularly. Then after a while he just started trying to attack us through the cage. On a side note, my boyfriend started growing a beard right around this time. Maybe on top of the fact that he (my boyfriend) is a male, now he's got this extention coming from his face (iguana's perspective) that's a little intimidating?

I'd like to hear your thoughts, but anyway, just started attacking us. So I tried to get him out as much as possible and hang out with him to tame him a bit and he just doesn't want to get out anymore. He'll sit there and nod his head at us like crazy, but won't get out of an open cage. And when he does get out, it's on! One time, he seemed utterly afraid that I was going to dismember him or something. Every other time, he's attacking us. He's a biter and he goes for the face!

So I'm pretty much sure this new cage situation is why he's being so aggressive but what I need help with, and this is where you come in, is how to tame (all over again, basically) this huge creature that wants to rip my face off?

Replies (4)

PHFaust Aug 22, 2008 11:56 AM

>>So I'm pretty much sure this new cage situation is why he's being so aggressive but what I need help with, and this is where you come in, is how to tame (all over again, basically) this huge creature that wants to rip my face off?

You have a lot of different things feeding into this. Adult male igs do in fact have a tendency to have issues with human males, and I have seen more than my share of igs get hostile with my hubby who has a long goatee. You move to a new home. You moved him, from a free roamer to a cage situation. He is also 5 and may be exhibiting breeding season issues.

I would suggest first and foremost looking into breeding season for males and take that as possibly the first issue you may be able to fix. Reducing heat and light may help kick him out of that.

He is going through a lot of adjustment and changes in a short time. Give him a little bit to handle this.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

adeliagrey Aug 26, 2008 08:39 PM

Yeah, I know about breeding season, but I figured since he went through it from last October to December it wouldn't still be an issue?

PHFaust Aug 26, 2008 10:18 PM

>>Yeah, I know about breeding season, but I figured since he went through it from last October to December it wouldn't still be an issue?

Actually with how odd the seasons have been here and the changes he has gone through it could induce the change early.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

mechanike Aug 25, 2008 09:22 PM

YOU HAVE HAD YOUR MALE IG.FOR 5 YEARS?DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE MALE BREEDING CYCLE??? THEY GO INSANE CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR???YES THEY GO FOR THE FACE,YOU BETTER HOPE HE DONT LATCH ON TO YOUR NOSE,,,,,THEY DONT JUST LET GO.CAN YOU SAY PLASTIC SURGERY!!!!!!!

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