The iguana retains its survival instincts even in captivity. Thus, he does not appreciate being grabbed from above, or being approached by someone he does not know. To be able to handle your reptile correctly, it takes time, patience, dexterity, and taming beforehand. Find our advice, step by step, to achieve this.
Taming your iguana does not happen with a wave of a magic wand. It takes time, understanding the specificities of this reptile and knowing the best practices to have when you want to approach and grab it for various reasons (care, hygiene, etc.).
Choose an already predisposed iguana
Decided to own an iguana after making sure you were ready to do so? Whether you go to a pet store or a professional breeder to choose your future reptile, it is advisable to:
Approach his terrarium. The iguana can flee as well as watch you. In the latter case, this reptile will be more receptive to taming.
Observe the appearance of your future iguana. His abdomen should be slightly swollen. Its ribs should not be visible, otherwise it would suggest malnutrition, a source of fragile or even failing health.
Tame your iguana
Before any attempt at manipulation, you must tame your iguana. He must be inclined to see you approach him without fleeing, which is far from obvious, given the wary nature of this animal. As previously written. Allow him to familiarize himself with his new environment. Let him discover his terrarium, adapt to his new life. For your part, you will also observe his behavior, his way of life.
As you go, you can sit next to its terrarium. If possible, make sure your head is below the level your iguana is at. He will be able to look at you more easily and see you less as a predator. Indeed, in nature, iguanas are prey for certain species of birds in particular. The latter come to seize them from above.
Your iguana may no longer (or less) flee when it sees you. He will have the feeling of knowing you better and better despite the glass that separates you. The approach can turn into an observation phase. In the end, he should not show any signs when you move in front of his terrarium. Any movement indicating its fear or a part of stress must make you say that it is not yet ready to welcome you into its territory. Otherwise, you can move on to the next phase.
Approach it in its terrarium
Before opening your iguana’s terrarium, be sure to block off any exit from the room in which its habitat is located. Indeed, your iguana could take the opportunity to escape. He must not be able to go very far, his safety depends on it.
Once the room is secure, slowly open its terrarium. Don’t do anything else first. Observe your reptile’s reaction. If he seems receptive and not leaking, try to introduce your hand gently. You should always approach your hand to your iguana from the front, never from behind and even less from above. You shouldn’t be able to hit it the first time. It can take days, weeks, before the first contact can take place.
Then, you will manage to stroke his head. He might bite you. A young iguana does not hurt when it bites. It is less dangerous, if at all, to be bitten by a young iguana than by an adult whose teeth could cause more damage.
Catch your iguana
Once you’ve successfully stroked your reptile’s head, you can begin to handle it. However, you must follow a fairly specific protocol. This will save you from many scratches (there are always some) but also your iguana from getting scared.
Caress him on his 2 cheeks with your index finger and thumb on each side.
Gently slide your hand under his chest to lift him up.
With the other hand, try to grab his 2 hind legs to try to straighten him up, so that he clings to your hand rather than to the branch. Scratches cannot be excluded.
Take him out of the terrarium. Handling it indoors could represent an additional difficulty since you are on its territory.
By holding your iguana as upright as possible, it will be less tempted to escape. It will be calmer that way. At first, however, it might slip out of your hands. In this case, you must take him back and make him understand that you have decided. Do not hesitate to stroke its tail when you handle it.
