Welcome to Herp Center! Please do take Merlin's advice into account and read through our caresheet. Petstores have good intentions, but don't keep the animals long enough to see the impact of their poor choices.

Glad you found us!

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~~Steph

"This I believe: That the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." John Steinbeck

Thanks everybody.
Romaine lettuce is what I was using with carrots and zucchini/squash.
I'll get him some better greens this weekend thanks alot!

I'm still so very concerned about him.
I know im just being a little impatient but I hate not being able to even get near him.
He just freaks out! He's eaten by hand once and everything, but now he's just terrified! I'm trying really hard not to scare him, but he ends up jumping all around the cage before I can get a few inches close. Should I just leave him alone 'till he gets a little older that way I can handle him better when hes a little bigger or will that just be worse?
How did you guys tame your baby iguanas?

No, go ahead and interact with him.
Its just going to take time, and patience.
And more time, and more patience.
And more time, and more patience. LOL!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Hi,
It looks like you have the slimline UVB fixture. Did you remove the clear plastic cover over the bulb? it blocks the UVB.

Congrats on your new baby. I know what you mean about the terror part. I got my female Moe as a result of a rescue and she spent most of her time bobbing her head or trying to bite me. I wore leather gloves and handled her everyday. I was also told not to allow her to be up higher than me as this is a dominating reaction for them. Now when I enter their cage they climb down to my level. What you need is patience, patience and more patience. It will be worth it in the end. Once you develop a relationship with an Iggy, they're yours for life. Try and handle it earlier in the day before it gets too warm. I keep saying it, have you named it yet?
The other thing you mentioned was letting water drip on the food. Not a good idea as it will make it go bad and Iguanas are known for eating things that will harm them. Georgie, my 17 lb male likes to pull carpet fibers up and eat them. It would be better to get some type of bowl for water, I've got a fake rock water bowl. They can't tip it over so easy. I also don't feed them in the cage, they come out to eat. the water bowl stays in there all the time tho. The other thing is, I'm not sure about your's but mine love the tub. Twice a week they have "Bath Time". They seem to know when I turn the water on because they'll both head to bathroom. It keeps them hydrated.
I know this is longwinded, I am a certified "Lizard Lover". If you need any help or just info, you can email me anytime.
Enjoy your new baby
Island Lizard Lady

Actually, wetting the food down prior to feeding is a great idea and a lot of us do it.
Captive iguanas are frequently in a borderline state of dehydration. Iguanas get the majority of their water from the foods that they eat. By having the food wet it increases the moisture they are taking in.
Many iguanas will refuse to drink from a water bowl

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Yeah his food is changed daily and constantly wet. I also mist his cage twice a day. I really love this iguana. He looks a lot bigger than when I first brought him home. I just wish I could teach him to be a little easier to grab. Hes just so fast! Usually ends up jumping out when I'm trying to catch him. How can I make him relax a little? The whole feeding technique is NOT working!!

Try not to grab him.
Move very slowly toward him and try to slid your hand under his belly. This may take some time to accomplish the first few times you try it. By swooping down on him and grabbing him you assume the appearance of a predator. One of the chief predators of young iguanas are birds of prey.
You have to try to get inside his little green brain!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Lots and lots of patience! Good luck.

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As everyone else says, time and patience. Some can be more self protective than others, they all have their own little personality quirks no matter what anyone else says. Us slaves love them though.

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Kat