I've had my iguana for close to 3 months, and he's still fairly fiesty/scared of everyone. I've got a lot of time on my hands, so what is the best way to get the guy to get used to me and not jump everytime my hand comes near?

A friend that I know breeds tegus, and the way he tames his is by spending time with the animals so they get used to you. Would that work with iguanas? I don't have a walk-in, but would I be able to try to do the same thing in a bathroom? It's just an idea, it can be shot down. I've recently started to give him baths to try to calm him down and get him used to me and I hand feed him a little bit after. When I do that, it seems like he's just trying to bite my finger and the greens just happen to be there. I'm not sure if its a male or female. I call it Ace.

Actually, you're doing really well.

The key to iguana "training" is gobs and gobs of patience.

Spend time with him and around him. Take as much time as you can to just go into the room he's in and sit and read, or talk to him, or move around without taking him out of his cage, where he's comfortable. He'll begin to see you as a presence in his life that doesn't bring pain or fear.

Also, pick him up and hold him quietly for a short amount of time each day. Having a treat on hand will help him associate being held by you with good things, making him less likely to fear you. If he bites you or tail whips you, simply keep holding him, but don't give him a treat. You don't want to put him down or reward him and lead him to think you do what HE says (even though you will ).

Bathing is a great thing to do. Having a treat for him will associate the tub with good things, though most grow to really like their swimming time anyway. I wouldn't keep up the treats after he gets used to bathing, though. You can even train him to poo in the tub, which is helpful. Ask Lacey, she has hers trained that way.

Mostly, though, don't be surprised when he doesn't tame up right away. He won't ever, not really. There will be times when he's sweet as can be, but times when he's angry and he's ready to bite you if you look at him wrong. Learn his signals, and you two will get along pretty well.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

Ahhh, thanks for the advice! It all makes total sense, trying not to associate treats after he tries to bite me or tail whip me. Yeah, I'll just have to spend more time with him and learn his signals as much as possible.

It's just going to take time. 3 months isn't very long in iguana terms. It can take as long as a year for one to truly settle down and get used to you. And the fact is, some never do, but they are exceptions. Keep doing what you are doing.
Taking the ig into a small bathroom (thats been ig proofed!) is a great thing to do. The ig can wander around you, keep an eye on you and learn to not be threatened.
And you don't have to go chasing it thru the house when the socializing session is over.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I'm going to do that tomorrow! I'm going to clean the floor tonight, and then tomorrow I'll let him roam in there. Yeah, I can only imagine how fast he is, luckily (I knocked on wood). He hasnt gotten out yet, and the only place I've had to chase him was inside his tank. I'll definately make sure he can't get out of the bathroom before I even try it.

Get down on the floor and look around to make sure there are not any holes or openings that it can get into. Check around pipes and fixtures.
You wouldn't be the first to have to rip out a wall to get the little sneak!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I never thought of that, but Im going to do that right now. That would be fairly horrible. I'm not sure if my parents would approve of me ripping the wall apart.

Wives are not really that impressed with it either!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Landlords usually oppose more than significant others.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

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I've had my iguana for 7 months and its kinda starting to settle down. My advice is to hand feed it often, that way it associates you as a friend. Also spend all the time you can with it. The hip leash, I think, is one of the best things to help you and your iguana. I just let mine sit on my shoulder while I play videogames or watch tv. And also if you let it free in your restroom just put towels under the door so it doesnt get away.

After about half an hour I usually put her back in the cage.