Need help, Ig experts come plz.

[Tengtou]

Ok, well I just adopted Diino yesterday night. She's a 7 year old female thats 3.5 ft STL. She did suffer from MBD in her early years and is missing some of her front toes. Other than that she is perfect now.

The one thing is that she is extremely mean, like she is from hell. The moment she see's me walking to her cage she whips at me like crazy and hisses. I've never had an Ig this mean before because I ussually work with sick igs, and this one is a very healthy one. I actually got tail whipped by her once, and it hurted like crazy. I never knew they can get that strong.

Now the previous owner probably never handled her before, because the cage she is in had no door to take her out. The only door there was was a lttle door at the bottom of the cage to put food in and out.

I dont know if this is only an issue because she is in a new home, or if this is her normal behavior. Now is it possible to tame her? She is an old lady thats never been handled, but any taming advice from the more knowledgable people would be helpful.

[prism_wolf]

Wow...you really bit off a mouthful with this adoption. If it wasn't for you, though she may never have had a home for her to have another chance at a good life. A quick note - At this age with poor history...keep your eyes opened for signs of renal failure.

As for her attitude...yes...it's is VERY possible for her to become social...just expect it to take quite some time. The first real aggressive female I took in was about 5 yrs. old...or more. She was the same size as my 5 yr. old male and was pretty sick, but not so bad off she couldn't let me know she was there and she was pissed! ;D It took me 8 months of holding her several times a week. Should've been everyday...it may have gone quicker...but she had finally stopped regurgitating on me after the first two weeks (make sure she hasn't had a lot of water prior to holding) and I no longer feared for the life of my fingers - or any other part of me within reach of her mouth - after about 6 months. After the 8 months...she no longer even fussed. I could take her out into public.

Since she is so big you will want to secure her pretty quickly. I always had to hold one hand up when I first went in to shield my face from her tail. You may already know the safest way to hold her - like a football with her head facing out and away from you and her tail between your arm and body. I do have pictures if you need a visual.

On days you don't want to stress her by holding her...offer treats laid down on her shelf a little ways away. A bribery, if you will... ;D. Other days you may just try and stroke her back. Some days you may just want to put her in the tub and sit with her and talk to her. Routine is important, but getting her used to the things you will be doing with her is also important...so base a routine loosely on some kind of rotation schedule. Set one thing up for morning schedule, another for evening.

There really is no one way to do this...there are SO many techniques. Find what works best for you and go with it... .

Keep us posted on her progress!

[Merlin]

Just take it slow and don't really press her for a week or so to give her time to get settled in. There is no telling what sort of treatment she has had by humans previously. You might try waiting til an hour or so after lights off to try to handle. That way she will be a bit groggy and it may be less of a battle to try to pick her up.
two things.
1. You have to let her realize that YOU aren't a threat and are not going to mistreat her
2. Don't let her back you down.
And keep something handy just in case she decides to attack. A broom is useful. NOT to hit the ig with but to use to push her away from you in the event she does decide to have a go at you.

And just to show you that it isn't a hopeless case.
This is a picture taken by one of my members on HC.

This is a wild iguana that has taken up residence in his back yard. It now comes to him to be fed.

[Tengtou]

Thanks for all of the fast replies guys! As much as I wanted to work with Diino she was just way to aggressive for me. This was not the right Iguana for me. She tried to kill me when I took her out today for transport. I was shocked to witness an Iguana this aggressive. I really did just tremble when Diino stared at me. I talked one of my coworkers at the Wildlife Center and she said she wants to work with Diino. I know she will do a much better job than me because she has been working with Iguanas for many years. I am more of the "sick Iguana rehab" type of guy and not "behavioral Iguana" guy. I think it will suit Diino better since she's off to a place where someone can work with her. I'd say it's a lot better than where she previously was. Now she'll get the attention she needs.

Anyways, wish luck to Diino and hopefully she'll find a forever home once she gets tamed up and all nice!

[Merlin]

If this other person is more eqyuipped to handle an aggressive ig then it is better off that way.
Knowing what is beyond your capability is a sign of wisdom.

[prism_wolf]

merlin said:

Knowing what is beyond your capability is a sign of wisdom.

Absolutely! A large, aggressive ig can pack a real punch. Knowing your talent lies in rehabilitating the sick certainly carries a truck-load of kudos all by itself...:-)