hey well done on the taming, is there anything to read surtan pages for CAT? I never heard of it...
the pet store tells me I should take him / her out every day in order to tame the iguana while the typical iguana lover would say that I need to leave it alone for the first year or so, I am confused, what should I do?
@drremen There isn't a lot of information about C.A.T. outside the dog world where it is somewhat controversial. But you can google Kellie Snyder and Jesus Rosales Ruiz who invented it, and find their videos on Tawzer video. I recommend that you give your ig a few weeks to adjust to new surroundings and settle into a good routine. Then spend time each day hanging out with him without picking him up. Just get him used to you. Then try this C.A.T. approach. Gradually begin picking him up.
i got one more ? i just got done with a new cage for her she has been in there for like 2 weeks but know she dont like me to pick her up now do i do the 1-2-3 step again.
@jwt8884 Just start over with CAT like before. Reptiles need lots and lots of repetitions to build new habits. Also, be careful what type of patterns you are wearing on your clothes. I've discovered that when I wear a black and white, high contrast design shirt, Spot panics. As soon as I change shirts she is fine again.
@jwt8884 I spray this smaller cage 2-3 times a day with a mister. There is also a cat-litter sized tray of water in there. She gets a warm bath in the tup too every other day...oh, and I spray water on her food to keep her hydrated.
@DJman30000 Big as you can manage. They get very large. The one in this video is too small already and it is 4' long, 2.5' high and 2' deep. My outdoor cage is 6' high, 4' long and 3' wide...and I wish it were even bigger. But we are making do for now. Go to Green Iguana Society web page for habitat designs and ideas.
@thistlemiss oh no i jst want the specific size because I have a 10 gallon tank(yes it is so small) and I need the perfect one so that way I don't have to buy more tanks as my iguana grows.
P.S by the way thanks for the website but it doesn't really say anything about the size of the tank.
@DJman30000 Look under the heading "habitats, enclosures and cages" on the Green Iguana Society home page. Better to build your own great big one than waste lots of money buying bigger and bigger tanks your ig is still going to grow out of.
@Grut0nZKush Thanks! It turns out Spot is a girl! She is holding eggs right now and we are watching her nervously for signs of being egg-bound. She may need a spay if she doesn't lay them soon. I would give up my home before I gave up any of my animals. They are family. :)
you are amazing with your iguana. one question, i just got mine and he is very small, probly only 2 or 3 months old. i finally moved him into a very large tank after spending a few days in a small one. he is very very stressed and doesnt like my attention, should i let him settle for a week or 2 or should i continue to slowly introduce my touch?
@asdewqasdfgh Sorry to take so long to get back to you. If your ig is still acting stressed, it is always a good idea to give him/her time to settle in. When he/she is eating well and calm when you come in the room, then try my C.A.T. approach. (See my other iguana videos). Also the Green Iguana Society has great tips on care and taming.
@jyamaki90 Cages are expensive because you need really BIG ones for iguanas and you need special heat and UV lights. I'd recommend you build your own. The one in this video is actually too small. It is only her indoor cage. We bought it at a garage sale for $20! and then rebuilt the front to slide open. Outside she has a homemade 6' x 4' cage for sunning and exercise.
@A7Xvaughn Thanks so much. I have grown very attached to Spot indeed. Never thought I could feel this way about a reptile but I do. She's very cool and grows tamer every day.
Many years ago I also tamed an iguana in six months -- mostly by trial and error (and blood and tears). In the end he would run up to greet me and enjoyed going outside on my shoulders. If I ever have the opportunity again I'll use your method. Less traumatic for all. :)
@MsSonya273 Good for you! Thanks for commenting! If you do try my method, let me know how it goes. I'm curious if it works for other people and their reptiles.
@GeOzeratul How? When I don't hand feed like in this video I fill two shallow bowls with veggies every day sprinkled with water and calcium powder and put one on his upper level and one on his lower level. But if you mean what? I feed a wide variety of greens: collard, mustard, arugula plus a mix of different things like: grated squash (zuchinni, butternut, yellow), chopped green beans, carrot, peas, alfalfa sprouts, a little tofu, lentils, edible flowers and fruit. He LOVES rasberries!
@McNeill0987 Be sure to check out The Geen Iguana Society website for lots of excellent info on care and taming. Good care and calm, consistent routines make all the difference in the world.
really nice job ! I'll try c.a.t. with mine because she is very nervous ...when i try to hand feed her she closes her eyes so it's tough...anyway nice video, the best i've seen so far on how to tame an iguana ! thank you it will help a lot !
I just dont know nice lizard but I have never had the patience to do what your doing but the iguanas that i have had I tame by handling the animal constantly I have only had about 100 igs but I have found that they get friendly if you let them hang out with you in the house or yard sure is a good looking lizard though if you stop handling him he might get hard to handle when hes 5 or 6 feet keep up the good work!
@bigboy3293 Thanks! Yep. Daily handling is the key. I like C.A.T. for the early stages though. Much less stressful for the animals than forced holding.
@thislemiss Thanks. It seems that intelligent animals think around any training routine, curiosity is stronger than most rewards. Raccoons are an example. Very smart, not too cooperative. Spot moves very cautiously, but seems to be very curious. To what degree do you feel iguanas see a human as an "other" and not just a "phenomenon"? I'm attracted to the sense of awareness in their eyes.
I have never worked with iguanas, but with wild mammals. What I feel happening here is that your warm patience is more important than specific technique. It seems Spot is smarter than all the ritual clicking. The licking seems like a sign of peace and he's surprisingly eager to be friends. I wish you would explain all the steps with the clicking. If click is positive, what's the target for? It seems he responds very well initially to reward by withdraw, but he's soon very curious + reaching out.
@FernandRaynaud Targeting and using a clicker with Spot was just an experiment, but I never felt that he really got it and I sort of gave up. If you check out my rabbit and dog videos, you'll see much more clear examples of how the clicker works. It is a powerful tool, but for Spot you are probably right about the "warm patience" being the bulk of the taming process... And yes, the licking is a peaceful sign in iguanas. Thanks!
@Whitslouth Well, an ig will grow at his or her own rate. There's no forcing it. But if you feed properly and make sure he gets real sunshine and warmth every day, should be healthy anyway. Go to Green Iguana SOciety on the web for more info on proper care.
Wow good work mines tame tell I pick him up he's not that bad tell I set him down on the couch with me he runs away what do I do is it normal for them to close there eyes when u pet them is he scared or happy iv been petting him for several months pls reply and when I hand feed him he rarly eats it in less sometimes I feed him bread as a treat he loves it
@TeamJOGLive Running away is pretty normal I think. Just keep hanging out with him, but leave him alone mostly and he'll get used to you. Many iguanas close their eyes when you pet them. I don't know what it means, but I can't imagine they like petting really. Hand feed him his meals when he's hungry. Hold yr hand out very still like a bowl at first. Also you can try fruit like melon.
@LeffHandedProduction My advise would be to start farther away. Only approach to the point where he notices but doesn't get too tense. Wait about 5 seconds. If he moves at all in any natural way, immediately back off. Give him a 20 second break and repeat. Gradually move closer. Calm behaviors make you leave. If he doesn't relax in 5 seconds, back off and try again the next time a little farther away. Repeat often. It takes a long time. :)
how big is your cage???, I'm building a 3 1/2 ft long and 4 ft high cage for a baby iguana that I'm planning to get, do you think that would be enough, how long would it be before he outgrows it?
@Teeklip This cage is 4' x 2'5". It is just going to be temporary for the next 3-4 months. My iguana is about 8 months old and this cage is a pretty good size for him now...although I do let him out in the bathroom everyday too. Later we are going to build him a much bigger enclosure.
@Teeklip Spot hasn't met any kids yet...He did once get freaked by a male friend of mine who leaned down towards the cage and has a big voice....but other than watchful caution, Spot has been fine with everybody else.
@grendeltherediguana We got him last May and he wasn't more than about 3-4 weeks old then...That makes him maybe 9-10 months old now. He's very healthy.
what do you feed your iguana and how many times during the day?
kcin1004 1 month ago
hey well done on the taming, is there anything to read surtan pages for CAT? I never heard of it...
the pet store tells me I should take him / her out every day in order to tame the iguana while the typical iguana lover would say that I need to leave it alone for the first year or so, I am confused, what should I do?
drremen 1 month ago
@drremen There isn't a lot of information about C.A.T. outside the dog world where it is somewhat controversial. But you can google Kellie Snyder and Jesus Rosales Ruiz who invented it, and find their videos on Tawzer video. I recommend that you give your ig a few weeks to adjust to new surroundings and settle into a good routine. Then spend time each day hanging out with him without picking him up. Just get him used to you. Then try this C.A.T. approach. Gradually begin picking him up.
thistlemiss 1 month ago
Thanks. I have a green iguana I named it zilla I have a couple of videos. Thanks
higginsfootball55 1 month ago
how old is spot?!
higginsfootball55 1 month ago
@higginsfootball55 In this video Spot is about 8 months old. She is much bigger now. :)
thistlemiss 1 month ago
How old is this iguana
Imaboss2342 1 month ago
He's so cute, I wish mine was like this. :(
fladoodel 1 month ago
i got one more ? i just got done with a new cage for her she has been in there for like 2 weeks but know she dont like me to pick her up now do i do the 1-2-3 step again.
jwt8884 2 months ago
@jwt8884 Just start over with CAT like before. Reptiles need lots and lots of repetitions to build new habits. Also, be careful what type of patterns you are wearing on your clothes. I've discovered that when I wear a black and white, high contrast design shirt, Spot panics. As soon as I change shirts she is fine again.
thistlemiss 1 month ago
what do u do for the humidity
jwt8884 2 months ago in playlist More videos from thistlemiss
@jwt8884 I spray this smaller cage 2-3 times a day with a mister. There is also a cat-litter sized tray of water in there. She gets a warm bath in the tup too every other day...oh, and I spray water on her food to keep her hydrated.
thistlemiss 2 months ago
WHOAH your iguana is Really Tame =)
CalvinTeeKai 2 months ago
@CalvinTeeKai Thanks! She's awesome!
thistlemiss 2 months ago
Wat it is that u are feeding him?
GeOzeratul 4 months ago
@GeOzeratul Arugula
thistlemiss 2 months ago
What size tank would you prefer for an iguana?
DJman30000 4 months ago
@DJman30000 Big as you can manage. They get very large. The one in this video is too small already and it is 4' long, 2.5' high and 2' deep. My outdoor cage is 6' high, 4' long and 3' wide...and I wish it were even bigger. But we are making do for now. Go to Green Iguana Society web page for habitat designs and ideas.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
@thistlemiss oh no i jst want the specific size because I have a 10 gallon tank(yes it is so small) and I need the perfect one so that way I don't have to buy more tanks as my iguana grows.
P.S by the way thanks for the website but it doesn't really say anything about the size of the tank.
DJman30000 4 months ago
@DJman30000 Look under the heading "habitats, enclosures and cages" on the Green Iguana Society home page. Better to build your own great big one than waste lots of money buying bigger and bigger tanks your ig is still going to grow out of.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
@thistlemiss so i have to get a tank more than 55 gallons?
DJman30000 4 months ago
@DJman30000 Do you have an iguana? Once full grown they can't live in tanks. They need a space about the size of a closet or small bathroom.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
@thistlemiss YES I HAVE AN IGUANA why do you think I'm asking you these questions......anyways he's 4 months old
DJman30000 4 months ago
well done... iwill be using CAT as well ty for up loading this.. please put more up :)))
Locksylocksy 5 months ago
Comment removed
Locksylocksy 5 months ago
This video made me smile :D
bkroberts89 5 months ago
this is so sweet! And im glad he/she makes you happy! (: I still cant believe people abandon and abuse animals/reptiles. Its horrible.
Grut0nZKush 5 months ago
@Grut0nZKush Thanks! It turns out Spot is a girl! She is holding eggs right now and we are watching her nervously for signs of being egg-bound. She may need a spay if she doesn't lay them soon. I would give up my home before I gave up any of my animals. They are family. :)
thistlemiss 5 months ago
you are amazing with your iguana. one question, i just got mine and he is very small, probly only 2 or 3 months old. i finally moved him into a very large tank after spending a few days in a small one. he is very very stressed and doesnt like my attention, should i let him settle for a week or 2 or should i continue to slowly introduce my touch?
asdewqasdfgh 6 months ago
@asdewqasdfgh Sorry to take so long to get back to you. If your ig is still acting stressed, it is always a good idea to give him/her time to settle in. When he/she is eating well and calm when you come in the room, then try my C.A.T. approach. (See my other iguana videos). Also the Green Iguana Society has great tips on care and taming.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
You are awesome!
jreyes619 6 months ago
how much does iguana cage cost?
jyamaki90 6 months ago
@jyamaki90 Cages are expensive because you need really BIG ones for iguanas and you need special heat and UV lights. I'd recommend you build your own. The one in this video is actually too small. It is only her indoor cage. We bought it at a garage sale for $20! and then rebuilt the front to slide open. Outside she has a homemade 6' x 4' cage for sunning and exercise.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
this video is amazing! i can tell you and spot have a rally good bond!
A7Xvaughn 6 months ago
@A7Xvaughn Thanks so much. I have grown very attached to Spot indeed. Never thought I could feel this way about a reptile but I do. She's very cool and grows tamer every day.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
Many years ago I also tamed an iguana in six months -- mostly by trial and error (and blood and tears). In the end he would run up to greet me and enjoyed going outside on my shoulders. If I ever have the opportunity again I'll use your method. Less traumatic for all. :)
MsSonya273 6 months ago
@MsSonya273 Good for you! Thanks for commenting! If you do try my method, let me know how it goes. I'm curious if it works for other people and their reptiles.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
how do u feed ur iguana
GeOzeratul 7 months ago
@GeOzeratul How? When I don't hand feed like in this video I fill two shallow bowls with veggies every day sprinkled with water and calcium powder and put one on his upper level and one on his lower level. But if you mean what? I feed a wide variety of greens: collard, mustard, arugula plus a mix of different things like: grated squash (zuchinni, butternut, yellow), chopped green beans, carrot, peas, alfalfa sprouts, a little tofu, lentils, edible flowers and fruit. He LOVES rasberries!
thistlemiss 7 months ago
@McNeill0987 Be sure to check out The Geen Iguana Society website for lots of excellent info on care and taming. Good care and calm, consistent routines make all the difference in the world.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
really nice job ! I'll try c.a.t. with mine because she is very nervous ...when i try to hand feed her she closes her eyes so it's tough...anyway nice video, the best i've seen so far on how to tame an iguana ! thank you it will help a lot !
hatebreed1010 8 months ago
I just dont know nice lizard but I have never had the patience to do what your doing but the iguanas that i have had I tame by handling the animal constantly I have only had about 100 igs but I have found that they get friendly if you let them hang out with you in the house or yard sure is a good looking lizard though if you stop handling him he might get hard to handle when hes 5 or 6 feet keep up the good work!
bigboy3293 8 months ago
@bigboy3293 Thanks! Yep. Daily handling is the key. I like C.A.T. for the early stages though. Much less stressful for the animals than forced holding.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
He is very pretty and looks so healthy! And where did you get that cage?
MsHorselover8 9 months ago
@MsHorselover8 My fiancé found it at a garage sale---but we had to add the sliding panels ourselves.
thistlemiss 6 months ago
@thislemiss Thanks. It seems that intelligent animals think around any training routine, curiosity is stronger than most rewards. Raccoons are an example. Very smart, not too cooperative. Spot moves very cautiously, but seems to be very curious. To what degree do you feel iguanas see a human as an "other" and not just a "phenomenon"? I'm attracted to the sense of awareness in their eyes.
FernandRaynaud 9 months ago
I have never worked with iguanas, but with wild mammals. What I feel happening here is that your warm patience is more important than specific technique. It seems Spot is smarter than all the ritual clicking. The licking seems like a sign of peace and he's surprisingly eager to be friends. I wish you would explain all the steps with the clicking. If click is positive, what's the target for? It seems he responds very well initially to reward by withdraw, but he's soon very curious + reaching out.
FernandRaynaud 10 months ago
@FernandRaynaud Targeting and using a clicker with Spot was just an experiment, but I never felt that he really got it and I sort of gave up. If you check out my rabbit and dog videos, you'll see much more clear examples of how the clicker works. It is a powerful tool, but for Spot you are probably right about the "warm patience" being the bulk of the taming process... And yes, the licking is a peaceful sign in iguanas. Thanks!
thistlemiss 10 months ago
@thistlemiss hey how can i get my iguana bigger faster???!! plz reply
Whitslouth 6 months ago
@Whitslouth Well, an ig will grow at his or her own rate. There's no forcing it. But if you feed properly and make sure he gets real sunshine and warmth every day, should be healthy anyway. Go to Green Iguana SOciety on the web for more info on proper care.
thistlemiss 6 months ago
@thistlemiss okay thanks beuatiful ig btw. =)
Whitslouth 6 months ago
what are you feeding him?
raptorpack2409 11 months ago
@raptorpack2409 Arugula
thistlemiss 11 months ago
Wow good work mines tame tell I pick him up he's not that bad tell I set him down on the couch with me he runs away what do I do is it normal for them to close there eyes when u pet them is he scared or happy iv been petting him for several months pls reply and when I hand feed him he rarly eats it in less sometimes I feed him bread as a treat he loves it
TeamJOGLive 11 months ago
@TeamJOGLive Running away is pretty normal I think. Just keep hanging out with him, but leave him alone mostly and he'll get used to you. Many iguanas close their eyes when you pet them. I don't know what it means, but I can't imagine they like petting really. Hand feed him his meals when he's hungry. Hold yr hand out very still like a bowl at first. Also you can try fruit like melon.
thistlemiss 11 months ago
Wow! Great work. Wanna come out to MN to help me with SPIKE? I'm having a hell of a time.
LeffHandedProduction 1 year ago
@LeffHandedProduction How old is Spike?
thistlemiss 1 year ago
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LeffHandedProduction 1 year ago
Comment removed
LeffHandedProduction 1 year ago
@thistlemiss @thistlemiss He's about 16 months old. I've had him for a year. I'm trying your method, but it's very slow going. He doesn't relax.
LeffHandedProduction 1 year ago
@LeffHandedProduction My advise would be to start farther away. Only approach to the point where he notices but doesn't get too tense. Wait about 5 seconds. If he moves at all in any natural way, immediately back off. Give him a 20 second break and repeat. Gradually move closer. Calm behaviors make you leave. If he doesn't relax in 5 seconds, back off and try again the next time a little farther away. Repeat often. It takes a long time. :)
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss Thank you so much. I will try it.
LeffHandedProduction 1 year ago
how big is your cage???, I'm building a 3 1/2 ft long and 4 ft high cage for a baby iguana that I'm planning to get, do you think that would be enough, how long would it be before he outgrows it?
Teeklip 1 year ago
@Teeklip This cage is 4' x 2'5". It is just going to be temporary for the next 3-4 months. My iguana is about 8 months old and this cage is a pretty good size for him now...although I do let him out in the bathroom everyday too. Later we are going to build him a much bigger enclosure.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss ahh ok thanks, how is he around children, does he whip them or something??
Teeklip 1 year ago
@Teeklip Spot hasn't met any kids yet...He did once get freaked by a male friend of mine who leaned down towards the cage and has a big voice....but other than watchful caution, Spot has been fine with everybody else.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss have you had him for eight months or is he 8 months old? he looks pretty big for 8 months...
grendeltherediguana 1 year ago
@grendeltherediguana We got him last May and he wasn't more than about 3-4 weeks old then...That makes him maybe 9-10 months old now. He's very healthy.
thistlemiss 1 year ago