Hi.
My sub adult (about 2.5 years old 7lbs) male iguana just bit me. I have had him for a few years and handle him daily. He has an enclosure that is 7 feet high by 6 feet wide and about 5 feet deep. Generally he loves getting pet and nuzzles up to me, closes his eyes and enjoys being stroked.
A few minutes ago I put him in his bath. He often tries to climb out and I will put him back. Today he was sitting in there and I was petting him so that he would stay in. He licked my arm that was not petting him (obstructing his way out) but then he bit me and would not let go. No kind of head bobbing or aggressive behavior preceding it. He just calmly bit me and would not let go. I lifted him out and after about a minute he let go. I did not struggle or jerk around and then calmly put him back in his home.
He already walks around on my shoulder all the time so I guess I screwed up there. But generally we have gotten along great. Perhaps he was a bit grumpy with me because I took him out last night to show to some guests and fed him some treats. This is certainly not the first time I have done this, but it is the first time he has bitten me.
Any suggestions on how I can curb this behavior. Certainly wasn't terrible and I am not afraid of him but don't want this to become a pattern. He is not in breeding season.
My sub adult (about 2.5 years old 7lbs) male iguana just bit me. I have had him for a few years and handle him daily. He has an enclosure that is 7 feet high by 6 feet wide and about 5 feet deep. Generally he loves getting pet and nuzzles up to me, closes his eyes and enjoys being stroked.
A few minutes ago I put him in his bath. He often tries to climb out and I will put him back. Today he was sitting in there and I was petting him so that he would stay in. He licked my arm that was not petting him (obstructing his way out) but then he bit me and would not let go. No kind of head bobbing or aggressive behavior preceding it. He just calmly bit me and would not let go. I lifted him out and after about a minute he let go. I did not struggle or jerk around and then calmly put him back in his home.
He already walks around on my shoulder all the time so I guess I screwed up there. But generally we have gotten along great. Perhaps he was a bit grumpy with me because I took him out last night to show to some guests and fed him some treats. This is certainly not the first time I have done this, but it is the first time he has bitten me.
Any suggestions on how I can curb this behavior. Certainly wasn't terrible and I am not afraid of him but don't want this to become a pattern. He is not in breeding season.