Iguana Bites to People (GRAPHIC)

[zammy12]

Hey at least my iguana is still a kid, and I was bit alot and they were my fault so I do deserve that, but hand feeding is a lot of fun for me. He does have problems with taming thats kind of hard for me I don't know what to do he's biting less now which is good. He's getting tamed pretty slow so please help my goal to tame my Rex his bites are very painful now!
Some advice would be so very nice!!!

List of things I tried to tame him.

. Holding him every once in a while his reaction whip, scratch, and he will snap at your hand!

. Hand feeding it is a way for me to get close as long as I have food! That idea works! ;D

. Moving slow, but not too fast its ok he lets me go touch him like one time then he's like "ok im out thats enough" and then he runs away from me to the corner of his cage.

. Baths seems to work but handling it to the tub is rough!

. Now matter how much he snaps, whips, scratch I still love him! It's not that bad!

. Just for a notice he doesn't whip that much he just runs away lol.

[crazybaby]

Well it finally happened this year...I deemed it inevitable. After 2 months of seasonal griefs with Sancho, dodging every "bullet" he sent my way and keeping a keen eye on him he tricked me into a false sense of belief that he was innocent.
Well, yesterday after his bath I had him on a towel and was just patting his body dry (so the beads of water don't cool him down too bad) and he was smelling me intently so I became weary but he then looked away like "no not interested" and I was turning to put him down on the floor and he went for it! Right in my breast! I was none to pleased! But, I know I let him get too close and I need to be much more careful. Sigh...another battle scar for me. Hubby isn't happy about it lol I can't wait until Sancho's seasonal moods pass...I miss having my lil iggy to spend time with! All I can do is wait it out and enjoy him in smaller less "involved" and close visits. At least he has my hubby to sit with. Happy holidays everyone and all the best in the new year!

[prism_wolf]

Oh CB!! Ouch! I actually know of a rescue iguana whose name became Hooter after she bit the female vet tech on the - well - hooter...;-) I DO hope the injury heals soon...;-D

[emari]

At what age do they usually start biting and how do you correct this problem?

[prism_wolf]

That varies so much Em. Some igs start out bitey - others don't get that way until a male goes into their first breeding season - or a female becomes cranky gravid.

Sometimes - with a large aggressive male - you just need to give them their space until the season is over. Basic feeding and cleaning is all you should attempt. This is a hormonal thing which often overrides the gentle behavior of a well-mannered ig.

The best thing you can possibly do is just to keep handling your ig. Don't let it get away with anything. Reward it for good behavior. This won't guarantee a well-behaved ig...but it will give you the best behaved ig you can hope for with your particular green machine. Every ig is different and how to deal with them becomes different.

[emari]

Hmm, when does first breeding season usually start?

[prism_wolf]

For males...between 1 1/2 - 2 yrs.

[Merlin]

But ALWAYS assume that a bite is a possibilty.
Don't get complacent!

[emari]

I'm scared of getting whipped and hes/shes only a baby right now.
ugh, my iggy got to the vet on tues or wed kinda excited.
I just want to make sure everything is going okay.

[prism_wolf]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with going in for just a check-up. It's actually suggested to get a yearly done. You will be starting a base-line exam to go on from year to year. I can't wait to hear the results... ;D.

Along with the age for going into breeding season...there is an actual time of year that also has some bearing on the tide. Late summer to early fall is the magic starting point and sometimes they go all the way through late spring, early summer. Some never come out of it...but those are rare. Females will start laying eggs (whether they've been with a male or not) around spring to summer.

[Jen]

I was wondering when females were likely to become gravid, I have not dealt with this issue yet. Yay and I get to go through it twice ;D

[IguanaKing]

Mercury always became gravid in late fall, winter. She actually laid her eggs on almost exactly the same date every year, January 16th.

Audrey, on the other hand, just keeps reabsorbing her eggs. This year she was so far along, I was just SURE she was going to lay eggs. But, nope, no eggs. In the last set of x-rays I had done for her, there was no trace of eggs.

[prism_wolf]

It seems over the last couple of years the time for laying has become more erratic, too. Last year especially - females were all over the calendar for laying. You just have to learn the signs. Excessive digging, loss of appetite, getting FAT, etc.

[emari]

I guess thats a big sign on what the sex of your iggy is
if you can't figure it out. Are the female just as aggressive
as the males when it comes to breeding season?
I'm excited I want to know the sex riiiight now but,
I'd prefer a male but, hey id be happy with a female aswell. ;D

[prism_wolf]

Females can be very aggressive...but not as a general rule. The males are driven by testosterone, territorial rights, collecting a harem, etc. Females can get a bit cranky while they're gravid...some get extra clingy. It all depends on the ig.