Need some help with this one

[mar]

Bob must be at the acme of season. In the last two days he has gone from a great cuddly guy to one that has been bobbing, snapping, posturing, and charging at me. He will fight when on the ground but be generally himself when I am holding him (I was wearing more armor than normal). I am glad that I trimmed his nails back a lot three days ago. This is the first season where he has shown the least bit of aggression toward me -- he has against my mom and my uncle though.

So far in life he has shown no interest in a LuvSock but I may try it again. Nor does he (or has he ever) show any interest in his reflection or photos of other igs. I am willing to bet he thinks he is human and forgot that it is other igs he should react to. Because of this it is me that he is trying to dominate.

OK he just tried to headbob at me and forgot what he was standing on, lost his footing and slid back. Threatening show huh?

I have secured his cage so that he does not try to extend his territory and fight me for my whole room.

Are there any suggestions as to how to reassert my dominance over him? I have been pinning him (one handed, two handed, and with my whole body -- I am very careful not to put much weight on him), talking to him, taking him to neutral areas inside and out nothing has had any effect. Any ideas on how to expediate this so I does not drag out for longer than it has to?

He just tried to headbob again at me. On the first big up swing of it he hit his head on one of the horizontal PVC pipes making up the cage frame. Starting to wonder how this species lasted so long in the wild.

Mark

[SurvivorSteph]

I'm totally laughing my head off! Such a macho guy... if only he wasn't clutzy! lol

Seriously though, you may want to try to keep a strict 12/12 day/night schedule for a while. I'm not sure how much it will help, but I've read that it can have an impact.

Well, good luck with him.

[rocmills]

It wasn't until two years ago that Bailey had his first truly aggressive mating season. This year it has been even worse - it started in December and still isn't over yet. None of the usual methods of discouraging his evil behaivor have helped. We finally gave up and bought a Reptarium cage to keep him in until it gets warm enough to move both the igs back outdoors. The only one in the house that Bailey doesn't try to attack is the female ig.

Patience and/or isolation until it's over may be your only hope. Good luck!

--Roc

[mar]

Well I locked Bob in his cage and let him have control over that area. Once I take him outside he is fine again. I have had him outside on my shoulder for a few hours over the weekend. He is still great on my shoulder does not mind others petting him and looking at him.

gotta go to lunch, more later.
Mark

[mar]

I set Bob on my shoulders -- back feet on one shoulder, body around the back of my neck, and his front feet on the other shoulder with him looking forward -- and he just sits there.

If I entice him out of his cage with some fruit or flowers he seems to be much better behaved than if I reach in and pick him up.

I put him down a few times and let him walk around. Initially bobs his head then starts to investigate the area until he finds some dandelions to munch on. He loves it and this leash is great.

He is still head bobbing at me when he is in the cage but appears to be calming down again or just became lazy. Now he is not bothering to stand up to bob at me rather he remains laying down on a basking perch. From plugs and the like I know that he has been in season for about the last two months.

As for the lighting suggestions I have kept him on a strict 13/11 (on/off) schedule since September but the blue flood lamp for heat has been on a lot less as it has been warming up with the season.

Mark