I know there are other posts regarding handling and stress, but I was curious if I was going about things right. My iguana Ira is less than npleasant about being taken off his basking spot, and if there is food present he is down right evil about being held. I read a few books, and took advise from other iguana owners who said that I should do something to gain trust, like feeding from a chop stick, and rubbing his sides. He was aprehensive about taking food from me, and now he seems to do it without major issue, but when I went to pet him it was hit or miss whether or not he would let me. A friend suggested misting him to calm him down because he seems far to comfortable with being sprayed. When I spray him he lowers his back half, and leans toward the spray. Then I can pet him everytime, and when he relaxes I can pick him up as long as I support his body, and he will close his eyes, which I think is a defense mechanism to me lifting him out of his cage. once he is out, he seems to love shoulder rides, and calms down right away (just sits still and looks around as if taking everything in). I want to make sure he is not stressed, sometimes he sits still, and others he jets from shoulder to shoulder, and even to the top of my head looking to get a better view of whatever he is interested in, but he never seems to want to get down unless it is a one on one me and him space where he doesn't have to deal with anyone else, and if he gets scard, he runs to my shoulder, or to my feet expecting to be picked up I guess, and once on my shoulder takes a very aggressive pose toward everyone, as if he is trying to keep people away from me.

In his cage he has whipped at me, and nipped, but never bit hard, or with intention, out of his cage, he is a sweet heart with me, and is never violent toward me, just EVERYONE else. I was curious if I was going about things properly, and if there will ever be a chance of him tolerating anyone. The other day I had my cousins over, and one of them was playing around, and Ira ran across my shoulders and attacked him hissing and whipping, as if trying to keep him away from me, but calmed down as soon as I started to pet him. It is like having a crazy attack dog that only trusts/likes/tolerates one person, he won't even take food from other people, and won't eat with anyone but me around, or if he is by himself. This lizard is the craziest thing have ever seen, and I have had some outrageous acting animals in the past.

Any ideas you have for toleration of other people, keeping in mind that most people are very afraid of him because he is so blatent about disliking them, to the point of charging and biting, and any thoughts about my methods of handling would be greatly appreciated, I just don't know what else I can do, I would assume if he had a problem with my handling he would run away from me, and not run to me everytime he got scared. I think he is great, and I really like him, but I would like to be able to trust that I can have him out without him "protecting" me from my friends and family.

Hahaaa...he is prolly stressed by the presance of other people, especially if he was mistreated in his previous home. My iggy was mistreated by his male owner before he came into my care and he never really liked being around men, women he didnt mind so much. Handeling tips....to get him to trust you more you should take him out everynite, without any loud noises (TV, radio...) and just let him chill with you till bed time. If you do this every nite he will be muucch easier to get out of his cage. You can also offer him foods that he seems to enjoy alot while hes out with you

Your advice worked great, I fed him some collard greens by hand, and he takes them really gently, and doesn't come close to my hand. I gave him a mineral oil rub and he leaned into it like a cat getting scratched. He can still be a pain while in the cage, but once he is out he is a peach. He won't take food from girls though which was the recommendation of a friend of mine, he just kinda ignores them till they are close enough to bite.

Oh well, progress is progress.

Im glad it helped . As I said before if he was mistreated by his previous owner who may have been female he could possibly be untrusting of all females for a while...that being said I would warn all of the ladies before hand about his dislike of the female sex..so they dont go to touch "the cute lizard" and have their hands ripped off. A scared iggy can be something fierce if you arnt careful