The one that got away...almost

[joseph2]

About two months ago, I posted a eulogy to my first iguana who died because of my immaturity and ignorance. In a season that our iguanas can get outside and enjoy the natural sun and fresh air, I have another story about Ghosty, who I miss dearly. We definitely need to raise our awareness this time of year because of the increased chance our iguanas can get loose and run away.
I took Ghosty out one day on his harness and thought this was safe because I was successful at this before. I'm can't really recall how he got out of his harness, but he did. And the chase was on! Never in my life did I suspect a small, lazy looking lizard could run so fast. I was young, very athletic, and had some speed of my own. So, just as soon as I was closing in on Ghosty, up on two feet he went and made me look like a Ford Pinto racing a Corvette. Holy Mackeral!! I never seen anything like that in my life. Ghosty ran up a pine tree, and my father and I finally was able to capture him when he came out to sun himself on a branch. The neighbors came over later and asked me what was running through our yard. Ghosty was such a blur in full stride, that they didn't get a real good look at her either. This story had a good ending to it (Although the next one didn't). Please, Please, Please be careful when taking your iguanas outside. The heartache of losing your iguana or thinking you may have already lost it can be unbearable. I've been reading on other sites many iguanas getting loose. It is that time of year. Just Please be aware and extremely cautious and careful when taking your iguana out.

Joe

[Tesa]

well said Joe!

[mar]

Get used to putting on the igs harness inside, adjust it correctly, then most of all get the ig used to wearing it and being constantly handled INSIDE.

Get them used to being outside for a few days before you let them down in a highly controlled area -- even then you are in dangerous territory and the ig can escape.

This being said some igs will calm down enough to walk around supervised, except for Thrasher. Bob is now good enough to walk around and bask in the lawn without me holding the leash (he drags it). The only time I look away from him though is to scan for things that may spook him (cars, people, dogs, large birds)

Mark

[Tesa]

I feel compelled to express my concern about allowing an iguana to roam free while dragging it's leash. These guys can be SO fast. If the iguana decides to bolt and isn't caught immediately, then he could end up tangled somewhere and unable to escape danger.

btw...
Thrasher will walk around checking things out (on a hind-end leash) It's just when I try to pick her back up that she acts like Im gonna eat her......or if she sees the front door and makes a mad dash trying to go back in the house.
I hafta say she did really well yesterday. She and I laid out on the trampoline for an hour and a half, (always with a leash) and she stayed right with me and allowed me to pet her without trying to bite my fingers off. ;D

[Lyn]

Ditto Tesa...I agree with you...keep the leash in tow...it only takes a large bird to fly overhead to spook them into a mad dash and up a tree..out of reach and then tangled...you wouldnt want that now...please be very careful....good luck...Lyn