This morning I went to feed the reptiles, and I started dishing out the food, starting with the Uro, like always. The last couple of days Don Iguan has been slightly more agressive than usual, but I attributed it to the fact that I couldn't let him out to free roam because we've had guests. So I was more cautious than normal, but not cautious enough, apparantly.

Since he immediately charged the opening of the cage, I actually started scooping food into his dish from above that door. He jumped up and latched on to the pinkie and ring fingers of my left hand. Tore them up nicely, too.

One trip to the emergency room later, I've got a nice big bandage around my hand, about four nasty lacerations, and a new healthy respect for (fear of) my ig. Now I have to figure out how to safely feed him with only one hand while he's obviously upset about something.

Golly, that was a lot of pain, though.

Moral of the story? Once again (say it with me, now) NEVER let down your guard around an iguana.

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

Punctuation. It saves lives.

Ouch....sorry to hear that he got you.....and yes they tear the skin very easily and the healing is painful....and I agree to keep your guard up....mine jump on me when they see the food plates coming and I have ended up with some nasty scratches and accidental bites when trying to move a plate....best wishes for a quick recovery....

__________________
Warmest Regards from Lyn

Welcome to the club though I never needed stitches.

When you pay attention to the toothed end don't forget about the tail. Some of the worst cuts I've gotten from my ig were from the sharp ridge along the top of the tail. He never tail whipped rather it was my hand moving in the wrong direction when I was not paying attention.

__________________
~ Mark

Yeeee-ouch!

You MUST take some pictures to show to people who want to get iguanas...

__________________

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

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

ouchies. Feel better.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Good thing it wasnt more serious, glad you are ok.

__________________
MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Thanks guys. Yeah, every iguana should come with a tag around their necks and a picture of my hand, with a "this could be you!" warning.

I'll probably take some pictures of my hand once it heals a little more. It will probably scar pretty nicely. It needs stitches, but they won't put any in for fear of bacterial infection. Yikes, huh?

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

Punctuation. It saves lives.

I'm very sorry you got bitten. And fortunately it was not worse than it was.
Igs can do some serious damage!
This is why we warn people over and over to be careful!
People tend to get complacent. They think that, since iguanas are a plant eater, so how much damage can it do? What they don't realize is that the teeth of an iguana are the same shape and cutting type as those of a SHARK!
The next thing you know you are in the ER!

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

Thats weird that they wont put any in for fear of infection.

A long while back I had a huge male in here who was out having some free time, I was sitting on the floor indian style, watching tv, he came crawling on me, I still paid little attention until he bit me on the upper part of my inner thigh, and he would not let go. It took my hubby to pull on his dewlap real hard to get him to let go. I ended up with a TON of stitches and the scar is still there. They cleaned the wound out and put the stitches in. I thought I was going to die, lol. I feel your pain! Welcome to the world of males, lol,,,,Ughhhh,,,,,they can be so frustrating!

Just a little tip in case it happens to anyone that they are bitten and the animal will not let go. Its an old trick, used by keepers of large constrictors. Pour a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth and place it over the animal's nose.
They will let let go!

You can also put a little drinking alcohol in spray bottle and spray it in the animal's mouth.
This version has the added plus of letting YOU have a spray or two after you get things settled down!

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