Sigh... I handle everyday, do my little baby talk etc. and do all the things that I should for the past 2 months. Perhaps its also like one of those gradual things like growth and maturing that I don't notice until I see old pics, but I've just seem to gotten used to its behavior and I don't really even think about whether I'm making any progress. Today I reflect on that and it just doesn't seem like much has been made. He's still whipping and stuff when picked up, though calms somewhat once held. Won't eat from my hand like it did during the first two weeks here. Sometimes I think it thinks I'm a big floating head and hands, because it would struggle and struggle when held. I would hold on but sometimes it would manage to squirm its way out of my hands and crawl onto my forearm or chest, where it would sit still. I sometimes think it thinks that my arms and chest (clothed) are not part of me and that once it gets out of my hand but is still on another part of my body that he's "won". I don't know.

Also, these two days, in the afternoon he would be wanting food, eating the few bits leftover from last night that had falled out of the plate that I took out, like just a tiny bit. Then, I make him a huge salad and he would run up to it, eat like 2 bites, then bask. And not eat for the rest of the day. He would have days like when I posted lst on the photo album where he'd eat gargantuan amounts for two days straight, then days when it wastes all the fresh food.

At least now he's "potty trained", well, at least in the water dish on his platform. He still won't climb more than 1 level down by itself.

This sounds pretty typical. Don't lose heart or give up; You're going a great job.

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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

Dont worry it will come around. But they are just like us pretty much... some days they can be "Oh sooooo loving and sweet" and the next day, or minute
they are "Oh such a stink bomb" But we still end up loving them.

My friend that gave Iggie to me had taken the other Ig and they couldnt understand why Iggie was soo much more calm and mellow around people.
When I first got Iggie I handled her from the minute I got her. I used to sit next to her cage and watch t.v or read a book to her, or just talk to her in a soft voice. I suggested that they do the same thing, (they didnt) so when I would go to visit I did what I suggested to them and they were in shock, I was after just a few visits able to feed him by hand some greens. They just knew my fingers were next. I eventually was able to get he out of the cage without tooo much of a struggle or scratches.

My Iggie still will kinda flail her tail a bit when I pick her up but normally its not tooo bad. I think they are afraid we will drop them..

So just hang in there it will come around before you know it

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Natalie & Iggie LaLa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
0.1.0 Green Iguana ~ Iggie
0.1.0 Chow Dog ~ Kieko
1.0.0 Chow/Malamute Dog ~ Chubbers
0.1.0 Six toed Cat ~ Barbie,(decendent of Ernest Hemmingways cat)

Pic's of Iggie

Paitence is a virtue...take the taming process one day at a time.

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"If you're not falling, you're not trying." - Sonni Trotter

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Anthony, you have well over a year of constant work before you can even question if the socialization is working. It takes that long for them to get used to you, tolerate handling and grow large enough to not be afraid of every little thing that comes along.

Take your time with it, enjoy any progress you make and ignore the backslides. Remember, this is a constant testing challenge. The iguana will continually test the boundary just to make sure it can't get away with something it has in the past, like escaping your grip, biting or whipping you to make you go away, etc.

__________________
Regards,
Dominick
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"Do you watch too much television? Did you do so as a toddler? Evidence tonight that it could be the cause of learning disorders, like attention deficit and hyperact-Ooooh, a kitty!" - Keith Olbermann

I agree. Anthony you are doing fine.
Just a couple of things to point out
when you pick up your ig it puts him in an awkward situation. What you are referring to as whipping may be nothing more than the ig trying to regain its balance. My Zok will occassionally thrash her tail when being picked up or her position changed. Its not aggression just gaining balance. Sort of like you throwing your arms out if your feet start to slide.Iguanas really don't like to be held or restrained. In their minds it makes them vulnerable. "Uh OH something has caught me!" Once out of your grasp it is once again in control of the situation. (he thinks)Just like you there are going to be some days where it is hungrier than others. you will work out the amounts with time. If you think the ig is still hungry try just putting a small amount out and see if it all gets eaten. This would also be a good time to attempt to hand feed treats. Try a bit of bread.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Dominick!!! My best IC friend! You replied! I was starting to miss you LOL!

Merlin, ok I understand it doesn't like to be held in nature. May I ask, when they rest on your arm, forearm, or knee when sitting down, do they KNOW they are on you? Or do they think you are a head and hands and everything covered by clothing is a "branch" of a tree or something?

Iguanas are a lot smarter than many people give them credit for being.
Yes they know its you.
A truly wild iguana will do everything possible to get completely away from any part of you!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

LOL

I always read the posts, but if I have nothing new to add to others responses, I don't reply.

Makes no sense to repeat what others say, if their advise is good. I'm no post-count queen.

And, as usual, I agree with Merlin, they do indeed know you aren't a tree. I think he hit the nail on the head when he suggested that it's the restraint that makes them uncomfortable. They prefer to be in a situation where they can bolt away at any moment THEY choose. They are afterall arboreal prey creatures who are not used to confined spaces.

It's why they struggle when you first grasp them and why we use that very excercise in socializing them. Remember, firm grip until they relax and when they relax, you loosen your grip? This positive motivation helps them realize that if they relax, they will be rewarded with a much more tolerable situation (a loosened grip).

So, I think your iguana is starting to realize that while she (and I'm using she from now on just because I also dislike "it") does not like to be held in your hand, she realizes you are not going to bring her any harm and therefore is content to just rest on you.

It's an important step in socialization. As Merlin said, if she were a wild iguana, she would do anything to get away from your presence and flee to the safety of a high up tree.

During these resting periods where she seems relaxed sitting on you, talk to her, comfort her with words. Gently touch her, get her used to your voice and touch. Of course she will try to run the first few (hundred ) times, but eventually she will come to realize that it's actually ok to let you touch her.

All these small steps lead up to the time, when she is older and larger, that she will fully tolerate your presence, touch, voice and grasp. It's then, and only, then that you will begin answering other new iguana owners posts, telling them to relax, have patience and proceed slowly because it's all worth it in the end.

__________________
Regards,
Dominick
_____________________________________________
"Do you watch too much television? Did you do so as a toddler? Evidence tonight that it could be the cause of learning disorders, like attention deficit and hyperact-Ooooh, a kitty!" - Keith Olbermann