Handling Techniques

[M|L]

I'm having trouble with handling my Rhino Iguana.

Here's the thing, he seems very calm and doesn't run away... until I reach in and touch him. He goes spazzing everywhere. I try to get him from underneath, so is not to appear as though I'm swooping down to capture him like a bird of prey, but he's scared either way. He'll bloat up, open his mouth, hiss and even tries to bite (it doesn't hurt now but God knows how it'll feel a year down the road). The nastiest thing though is he'll defecate when he's spooked, but so far he does his business even before I get him into my hands, so he hasn't pooped on me yet.

But, at night, when he's asleep, even though he'll still initially put up a fight but the surprisingly thing is, he'll just fall asleep! Once I've got him in my hands for a few minutes, he'll settle down and fall asleep without any restraints. I was advised to conduct any physical contact during the early morning or late nights when the temperature is a little lower.

Unlike other lizards I've handled, he also doesn't continuously try to run, he'll dash away, then stop and stand his ground...

I'm no sure if I'm doing this correctly. Should I handle him at all? Should I just try to hand feed him and have him come to me instead? But that method doesn't necessarily mean he'll one day become handle-able since I'm not making any direct contact. He's fine with my presence, but he just doesn't like to be touched.

Should I just continue what I'm doing, getting to him at night when he's more calm? Will that cause him to feel insecure while asleep?

This is all very confusing...

PS - I'm not a newbie to reptiles, but I usually keep animals that are tame or easy to handle or aren't suppose to be touched to begin with such as turtles, newts, frogs, small snakes.

 

[Sti]

If it were me, I'd just keep trying to handle it and see if you gain any ground there. Since he's not spooked by you being there, the hand feedings might not accomplish much. I haven't personally kept rhino iggy's though so if someone else if more familiar with them, feel free to correct me.

 

[swede]

you need to gain the animals trust first. you gotta be realy patient here. slow down your movements. also, no animal likes to have a hand coming at them head on. when you try to reach out a hand, try to do this out of the animals direct line of sight. this is less stressful for the animal. someone taught me this and although it sounds basic, i have seen it really does help. think about it......a pat on the back is more comfortable than someone coming up to you and reaching for your face, right?

 

[M|L]

I know all the "textbook" answers, about not reaching overhead or direct at the animal but it doesn't matter, this little beast doesn't like it and will try to make a run for it.

I also reach in very slowly... I don't make any sudden movements at all. I tried reaching in from the side, from the bottom, from the back.... none of it worked.

I sit in front of the tank for at least an hour everyday, reading or talking on the phone or on my laptop. He doesn't mind any of it, in fact, he'll just continue to perch and sun tan his day away. I can open and close the cage door without scaring him at all... you would never able to tell that he's a little demon while looking at him, just observing but he goes berserk when you handle him.

 

[swede]

maybe he won't be ready for a while if ever to be handled. i've had reptiles that just got too stressed to hold and it was better for them and me as well for them to stay in their tank for good

 

[M|L]

I noticed that all of his nails have been trimmed. The only reason I can think of is he has been regularly handled, since there's no reason to trim the nail if he's only being left in the cage.

I think i'll just follow the instruction given to me by the breeder to handle only when the animal has been cooled down and less flighty.

 

[AttackFish]

wrap him up in a towel and just hold him.
Works for some people?

 

[red_wall]

Well, I don't know if it'd be the same, but my girlfriends king snake does the exact same thing, it poops on her, runs away, rattles it's tail, and bites. It's only a few months old though. That is perfectly normal behavior for a young king snake, it's new(ish) to the world, and fighting to survive. She has to keep handling it long enough to where it grows into knowing that humans aren't a threat to it.

I'd say just keep handling it normally.

 

[paul112]

Just persist Try to get into handfeeding, and then use food as a reward after holding the animal. Don't let the biting or puffing put you off, or he'll just do it all the time, thinking it works to get you away from him. Maybe set up a routine of 5 minutes interacting at a certain time each day, that way he can become accustomed and prepared for handling.

Paul

 

[KNMG]

I have experienced exactly what you are talking about with my Cyclura hybrid. I acquired him from a family that got him as a baby and became scared of his threat displays. He ended up in a cage covered by a sheet for over a year until I got him. Now 2 years later he is very personable. Continue with making your presence known, but don't push the envelope. DO NOT subdue him or force him to do anything that he seems sketchy about. What worked for me was allowing mine to eat right next to me and slowly placing my hands closer and closer to him. Whenever I was in my reptile room I would open his cage and go about my business like he wasn't even there. After a couple months he was approaching me, smelling and investigating. Now he follows me around. After you develop an understanding he will get much better. Just invest the time for him to realize you are not a threat. It will get better. All Cyclura have different personalities and some will always be more trusting than others. Good luck.