Some information from http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/igtaming.htm 
Hope this helps...
So, you would like to start interacting with your iguana and taming him. It can take some time to develop a trust and bond between yourself and the iguana, and it's best to start shortly after the iguana arrives in your home- provided that it is indeed healthy. If your iguana is young it's best to tame him before he gets larger and harder to handle.
If your iguana has already progressed to sticking it's dewlap out at you as you near the cage, it is a sign that the iguana is either a bit afraid but standing it's ground, might be trying to tell you to back off, or yes it could be being aggressive. Aggressive acts are often accompanied by head bobs, white head, and sometimes open mouth, the tail might flick as well. If you are only seeing the dewlap extend and no other signs of aggression then I think it would be safe to try to pet or pick up the iguana.
Instead of picking the ig up right from the beginning you might try getting it used to you by slowly moving your hand into the cage ... not swooping your hand down from above ... bring your hand in on the far side of the cage and bring it level with the ig then move it across the cage towards the ig. If your hand swoops down from above the ig is more likely to think it's being attacked by a predator (i.e. bird) and you don't want that. If the ig sees your hand coming it might still be nervous but hopefully it will understand that you are not attacking. Talk to your ig in a gentle voice, maybe just pet your ig in the cage, or offer it a nice leafy green like a collard leave or a dandelion green ... Do this for a few days to a couple of weeks depending upon the iguanas reaction, and hopefully the ig will come to realize that your hand entering the cage is not meant as a threat. As the ig comes to trust you, you should try to pick it up- daily. |
