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Post by Herpmomma on Oct 11, 2004 19:10:50 GMT -8
All Ziggy and I do is bump heads on dominance over and over and over and over and over again. You get the point, but I am at a dead end. He bit me tonight, not that I really mind, but it just kills me that it is going this far. He has "moments" when he is ALL about challenging me. He will arch and get his tail ready, gape his mouth, bob and shake his head and breath hard. Circle around and do it again. How can I make him chill? I am at such a loss.
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Post by prism_wolf on Oct 12, 2004 16:00:34 GMT -8
I hate to be the barer of bad news, but you may not be able to break this cycle. This is a wild animal in it's natural state of breeding season. Testosterone play every part in an igs body during this time of year.
Some of us are pretty lucky while we have the igs that change very little, if at all...others are unlucky, such as you. There are people who end up caging their igs through the entire season because they become downright dangerous.
It's befuddling to many because during the rest of the year they are very gentle igs. You will have to keep a close eye and watch for the signs...and be prepared to keep him confined if things become to difficult and dangerous.
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Post by dominick on Oct 12, 2004 19:30:56 GMT -8
Males in breeding season are truly possessed creatures. It's sad but true.
When Rex went through his first season is was horrible and he was downright dangerous to be around. we did indeed, as V suggested secure him in his cage for 8 long months. During that time he would knock out his teeth and bloody his snout on the wires of the cage trying to attack us through it.
All I can add is that one day, with no rhyme or reason, the demons left Rex and he has been a perfect gentleman since then. He entered his season between 2-3 years old, he's 6 1/2 years old now and has not bitten or harmed anyone since that terrible time in his life.
Remember, the iguana has no idea what is happening to him. All he knows is that he feels crappy, does not want to tolerate humans and desperately needs a female Ig!
I wish you good luck, patience and the fore-thinking to wear thick clothes and gloves when handling him.
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Post by mar on Oct 12, 2004 20:14:34 GMT -8
As Dom said it is true and sad but never underestimate the power of a large adult male.
For a while Bob was acting up while outside, claimed the lawn as his territory. Got to the point where he woudl run across the lawn at me and start to attack any part or extension of me he could. The last straw was when he bit the side of my left shoe. My foot was off the ground slightly and he hit it with lighting speed but not really hard. Just grabbed it and let go. I thought everything was fine as I picked him up and moved him back to his normal home with only a Tee shirt on as protection. When untieing my shoes later I found that he slashed a 1 inch long hole through the leather of the shoe, a second 1/4 inch long slit parallel to it, and put a few scratches next to those holes. All told the slits and scratches are cover an area 1.5" x 1.5". If it were my skin I think that I would have found my self with a few stitches.
A few tips for when you have to pick him up: when he is on the ground you can walk up from behind and to the side then reach around and grab the very base of his tail. With one hand around the base of his tail (one finger around a rear leg if he is small enough) you can safely control him and get a second hand under his belly / front legs -- you have the leverage now, his tail is out of play. Holding him like this you have full control and hands are safe from the teeth while the tail can be secured under your arm. Now expect the pads of his feet to scratch your hands up because of the scales when he pushes off but it is not too painful but can draw blood.
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Post by Diane on Oct 19, 2004 17:35:58 GMT -8
Narcy hit his first season last Christmas and has never been the same since. I used to let him free roam with no concerns for my family, but he is in his cage all the time now unless i am holding and petting him. he just can't be trusted anymore, he will charge from across the room on a whim. he has not been in season for several months now but is still a very aggressive dominant male. prior to this he was very gentle and loving. i hope that someday he will outgrow this. . .until then i just try to maintain contact with him. i always us a 'football' hold with Narcy for good control as he is VERY strong. i hold his chest in my hand with his body along my forearm and tail between my elbow and body. This is an excellent hold for a thrashing ig. I also have a pair of leather gauntlets and gloves i use when handling Narcy. I wish you good luck, and do be careful around him.
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