Hello all. I've had Camille for a little over a month now...since Sept 25th. She is still adjusting to me, but very well. I pick her up once a day, right after I feed her and clean her tank. I only have the chance to hold her for a minute or so, either because I am running late, or she just will not stop fidgeting. I've read holding an ig above your head calms them, which works on Camille, but once she's back down, she will USUALLY start back up with the wriggling. So here's my question. Do you think it's just her wanting down, or does she want to try to escape? Because I would like to be able to set her down in my room and let her get used to it so she could eventually become a free roamer, but I'm afraid if I set her down, she'll be gone. I try my best to "ig proof" my room so she couldn't run away, but I'm afriad theyre is still tons of places she could hide. So let me know what you think? Is is trying to just get out of my grip and would just sit there if I layed her down on my bed or something...or is she trying to escape, and would run for a hiding place the second I let her go. Bear in mind that I've only had her for over a month, and she's only approx. 7 months old. Let me know what you think, and thanks a ton. Have a good one.

IMO she is trying to escape - but she just needs to adjust to you. Give her time and she will get used to you.

I haven't had any personal experience with iguanas, but I am guessing that her first time in your room may freak her out a bit, causing her to run for the nearest hiding place. Maybe you could section off part of your room to start with and set her down there, or make sure you leave her tank open and provide a box in the room for hiding, so she has somewhere to retreat to if she gets a bit spooked.

__________________
"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Holding them up high is fine for calming them down. Unfortunately in an igs mind higher up also means they are in a more dominant position than you are.

In just a months time she is still trying to escape from you. If you put her down it will be a chase to catch her and in her eyes you will be assuming the role of a predator. This will be a setback. You are trying to convince her that you are a good guy, NOT a predator that is looking to eat her. Do not put her down when she is wiggling and fighting. That means she wins! She will be effectively training you to leave her alone! They are good at that! If you want to try putting her down go into a bathroom or closet. Someplace small so that you won't have to chase her down.
When she goes into the wiggling and struggling press her firmly to your chest and immobilize her. Now I am not saying to squash her just hold her firmly. This lets you assume the dominant position and tells her that it ain't gonna work! As soon as she relaxes and stops struggling let up on the pressure of your grip. This will show her that in order not to be held down she must behave. This shows her that she is going to have to live by your rules not hers.

IMO freeroaming for an ig the size of Camille is not an option. There are just too many ways for an iglet to get lost or hurt and that small body will just lose heat too fast. When she gets bigger maybe.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!