Hello everyone,
I've been reading through other threads trying best to assure my questions and concerns, but I wanted to pass it by the experts I've seen here .

I got a new baby iguana a week ago, already having a 55 gallon aquarium to keep him in, whilst I ponder up some ideas for a much larger cage when he outgrows the aquarium.

I have a fluorescent UVB bulb, Repti-glo 5.0 to be precise, I use an incandescent bulb for his basking light, at which his basking area reads out to about 93 degrees F. The furniture in the cage consists of a fake leaf vine, a hide box, water dish, food bowl, etc.

Now, When I had him for about 4 days is when I started to handle him, and I'm not sure if that's too soon, but he seemed plenty acclimated (eating, pooping, basking, climbing all around). He is very fiesty, I have to chase him all around the cage. Is there a step I am skipping here? Or should I gently try to catch him without freaking him out too much, and just hold him for a while? That's what I've been assuming I should do, but I was worried I may stress him out too much or perhaps there was a step that I skipped.

There are a few recent threads on taming an iguana.

What is the Best Way...
Aggressive Iggy

The 5.0 UVB is not good enough. Igs are high needs reptiles and need nothing less than a 10.0

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

4 days is a little too soon. Most of the time you want to wait at least a week, but if he really seemed comfortable with his home, you probably didn't hurt his adjustment too much.

"Taming" is a very long process. It takes months to years, and they never truly tame. But the key is to really get to know your ig. Then you'll be able to respond to his needs and he'll be much less nervous and aggressive.

Right now if he is really freaking out when you try to hold him, simply coming into the room and making your presence known at regular times without going into his cage will help him to get used to you. The goal is to let him see that you are not going to attack him. Also make sure that he's got a secure hide where he can go to feel safe. If he has this hide, you don't ever want to pull him out of it, or he will never feel safe there.

When you do go to hold him, move slowly and gently. Try not to come from above him - or he'll see you as a predator. Try to scoop him up under the belly. And when you're holding him, hold him securely, and do something quietly. Loud noises and sudden movements will make him very nervous.

He'll outgrow the tank very quickly, so it's definitely a good thing that you are looking into a large enclosure.

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

Punctuation. It saves lives.

Thanks.

Yeah it probably is a little too soon, I was just curious because he just seemed to be a lively young iguana, not really trusting of anything around him. Sometimes he doesn't freak out when I go into his cage to clean it or feed him, if I am nowhere near him. So should I wait about a week and then definitely go for picking him up, even if he is running away? I could offer treats and such, although I doubt he would take them out of being too stressed or afraid.

My advice would be to hold him as much as possible (not super long periods of time, but at least 10 mins a day) and if you can try to hand feed him so he trusts you, and don't put him back in the cage when he starts to act crazy, try letting him calm down a bit before you put him back.

My iguana really started to settle down after about 7 months but I'm still working on him, haha! gl!

So hold him even though he is frantically trying to run away from me? Just slowly try to catch him and let him calm down? That sort of thing?

If you set him down every time he squirms he'll learn that behavior and squirm out of your hands every time.
You should vary the amount of time that you hold him, one day just pick him up and hold him until he stops squirming and put him down, another wait 10 minutes.
It took me years before I could carry my iguana around.

Another thing, wear long sleeves, it'll save your arms!

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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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