My iguana sometimes freezing in place or posturing/leaning as I approach the cage from about four or five feet away(well before i can get to the cage door). Is it correct to accept that movement and back off when he unfreezes, so to speak? And if so, whenever I approach the cage during feeding time or to change his water, do you believe that it would that unravel or even reverse any progress i've made to continue to place his food in the cage even if he is obviously fearful?
@billmurry420 Excellent questions. As much as you can, just try to reinforce any slight relaxation by your iguana with moving away again--even if it just for a minute. Give him a break, then move forward again. Mine is pretty tame now and will let me pick her up, but still sometimes reflexively tenses as I approach.
what kind of lighting did you use in this video? was that his permanent home for a while? also, how did you keep up with humidity in an open air cage?
That was great! "Patience", sensitive to the fears of the animal. No forced handling. No chasing the animal around in the enclosure. You let the animal decide when the time was safe for interaction with you. You came toward him from below and at his eye level and not from above like a predator. All keepers should learn these valuable keeper skills. I use them myself with my monitor lizards. Time and patience = rewarding safer interaction with these beautiful animals. Two thumbs up! :)
@iSolarSunrise Do you mean the videos 3 and 4? In those I was experimenting with using a clicker to mark behavior, but never got very far with that. What was most effective in the end was just hand feeding everyday and gradual picking up and putting her down again when she was calm. She still gets a little fussy when restrained at times, but is mostly pretty tame and easy to manage.
When i was taming my iguana i just stuck my hand in his cage and he'd go berserk!I only did that once because he bit me.lol.he wasn't even a baby,he was an adult!after that i took another approach.i read to him.I was only like 6 years old.i started reading doctor sues books to him.lol.and it really worked!now i can do anything with him.though i think it was because he got used to me being in the room,but i could of swore he listened to me.lol.
@mordmil10 Cool! Sounds like your iguana got used to you eventually. CAT is not about just sticking your hand in really anyway. It's about finding the right distance where the animal does not freak out, waiting for a calm/peaceful behavior, then moving away again. If you start at the right place and he's calm and you leave (like it sounds you did), you build up friendlier behaviors. Good work! Love the Dr. Seuss!
@beanthemean3323 What behaviors are you reinforcing? Whatever he is doing when you take your hand out is what gets reinforced. If your guy is "still mean" you are very likely starting too close to him and all he is doing is acting aggressively. Find the distance where he notices your hand but can move and act more normally.
Thistlemiss, I recently rescued a 6(to 7) month old Iguana, whose previous houser couldn't give him (her?) the proper attention. His behavior about me changes throughout the day, as to whether he would rather run from my every move, or watch my every move. (Not being in his house, of course!) I'm wondering, should I wait some time for him to warm up to his new environment (my apt, he kept his original terrarium)? Thanks
@mikec583 Yep. Allowing your ig lots of adjustment time is always a good idea. They seem to really like a steady routine...lights on and off at the same times, feeding time the same, etc.
Probably not the water but the sound and movement of the spraying. My ig is quite tame now but she still puffs her dewlap out now and then. Often it is just a reflex. Good to hear C.A.T. is starting to work for you. Take a lot of time--weeks or months even sometimes. So be patient!
@CalvinTeeKai What part don't you understand? You find a place where you can put your hand in but don't scare you ig and wait. When your ig moves in a relaxed way, remove your hand. When your hand goes away, the ig feels relief and you reinforce the relaxed behavior. Repeat a lot of times until you can move closer and he is still calm.
@IZAYAnecronightreign Glad to hear it. I feel pretty strong love and respect for my girl too. The C.A.T. approach when done slowly and correctly can be very respectful because it respects the animal's fear and provides lots of relief instead of learned helplessness...But it sounds like what you did worked great too! :)
It's nice as well as interesting to see that you're so committed to creating a comfortable environment, as far as interaction with humans goes, for your iguana.
@HamishLamingtons Thanks! I feel it is very important, not just so Spot has a better quality of life with us humans....but also for safety. An untamed iguana is very dangerous! :) Spot is doing well. She still gets a little grumpy about being restrained, but is for the most part very calm with handling and still loves our hand feeding sessions.
@5150gamer You might try this technique. Much more gradual acclimation to handling. Just holding the ig every day might be too overwhelming. Each time you hold him, it is so unpleasant for both of you, he learns over and over again that he hates it. Also, each time your ig freaks out and gets free of your hands, he learns that aggression works. C.A.T. is about teaching the opposite. It would take your iggie a very very long time now to unlearn the aggression though. Sorry.
@thistlemiss Its more of a cage agression thing, when he is in his cage he will come after me and jump and try to bite me. When I first got him the owners had neglected and mistreated him and he was in way to small of a cage. He never really got over being mean but he still is awesome. I have a video of him and he was acting nice for once lol Im gonna try C.A.T.
@5150gamer That's perfect then. Cage aggression is easier to deal with because it happens in only that one place. Teach him that calm behaviors make you go away instead. Do it a lot a lot a lot until you can get close to him without him jumping at you. But start the whole process far enough away that he doesn't act aggressive at all, just notices you.
my iguana goes into freeze mode when i get near him i would like to know how i can get to the point were he comes to me to get picked up instead of freezing up. Thank you
@GeOzeratul If you notice in this video I'm actually trying to reinforce calm, natural movements. You have to start tiny at first. Take anything. Changes in breathing even. Head turns. Licking is especially important to reinforce. Relaxing the legs. That sort of thing. Take your hand away each time your ig does these types of things. It also might help to start farther away at first. Find the spot your ig notices you but still looks normal. Igs hold still for long periods of time though. :)
@2britishlovers I let this little one settle in for 3 weeks first, then did CAT intensively as you see here for 2 weeks...That got us over the hump of her being able to eat out of my hands. Then it was all easy from there.
@DJman30000 Try and wait for it to retract before taking your hand away--usually...unless your ig relaxes in some other way but the dewlap stays open sort of accidentally (which my girl does sometimes). Stiff, flared dewlap is usually a stress sign though. -S
This video is amazing. I have 2 blue iguana's as you can see in my video and have been trying to tame them. Everything I have read always said to just pick them up and hold them untill they calm down and do it repeatedly. This has not worked so I am going to try your way out. I built a cage for them but dont want to put them in there yet because i dont want to chase them around to tame them. please check out my video of my custom built cage also.
@gquality187 Yep. I read all that too. You've got to build trust first. Always remember your igs have a deep instinct to panic and flee because they are afraid of being captured and eaten. Be very patient and go SLOWLY. If they panic each time you hold them they learn to hate being held. Teach them to love it. With this method you can put them in a larger cage because they more freedom they have, the safer they'll feel. My cage here has three levels but is narrow. Spot's new cage is 6' x 4' x 4'
Great video. I learned alot from this video. Everything I have read always said to just pick them up and hold them until they calmed down and do it repeatedly. I have not got any where with this approach. I just got 2 blue iguana's and built a custom cage for the as you can see in my video but I dont want to put them in there until they are very tamed so I dont have to chase them. Please check out my video and tell me what you think.
@TheMrMGuy Licking is usually a good sign of calm, curious, maybe even friendly behavior. If he always associates your hands with being picked up, he may not trust them enough to eat out of them. Try really yummy food offered in a small bowl instead.
@thistlemiss My baby always licks when I take him out of the tank, but I reach in and grab him slowly , he still jumps around. but once he is out he is fine, its the initial getting him out of the cage that is the problem, but he licks all the time when he is out. i believe he is 6-7 months.. approx. we really don't know.
@Sa3do0n999 Fearfulness undermines everything. Give your baby lots of time to settle in. Don't force yourself on him/her. Go to Green Iguana society web page. Look up "taming". Great advise there. Once your iguana is eating and seems more comfortable, then you can start working towards handling as you see me doing here. Sometimes takes weeks! Be patient.
I had trained my young iguana to walk onto my hand to leave the cage or room, but as he is older now he no longer does this. He is also free roaming in my room now. He still eats from my hand and seems his perferred method, but he never wants to be held. To pick him up I nudge under his chest until he puts his hands on mine then I remove him slowly
i just grab my 3weeks old iguana and when it struggle, wrap it with a warm towel, and it got calm~ that's all. and after 15 month, it got very VERY friendly and never whip at me~ i always grab and tickle it and bully my iggy because its tooOo cute~!!
p/s: i just don't know whathell am i talking about :P i can't do this technique.. its giving me stress :P
@bahia Sounds like what you did worked for you...No need to do this then. I just didn't want to stress my ig by grabbing her and forcing her to deal with me until she was ready.
@PurroPincheParri Simple. Find the distance where your ig notices you but doesn't act scared. Wait for natural, calm, or interested movement (take very subtle movements at first), remove your hand. Repeat repeat repeat. Removing your hand reinforces the calm behavior. Gradually decrease the distance until you can gently handle or hand feed your ig.
@MsSonya273 Yes. Animals run or act aggressively to get distance from the thing that is stressing them out. This method reverses that. When your ig relaxes, then you move away. Moving away rewards, or, reinforces the relaxation. After many repetitions, the iguana does actually seem to "feel" friendly (instead of just acting like it), and then you can switch to rewarding friendly with treats.
This was working, until my dad came in and messed with the iguana. >:l I get mad when he does stuff like that. His dewlap was relaxed and everything, then he came and messed with it >:l
I have a small hatchling(month old) I saved an egg from some seagulls and to my suprise a baby iguana was born from it (scaly my iguana) So I adopted him.
He always ate from my hand and sometimes is calm when I pick him/her up but all of a sudden he stoped liking to get picked up?
I started trying this method right away to see how it goess.
@GeOzeratul "Calmly" is better than panicked :) and it is fine if your ig chooses to take a break by moving away. But you do want to shape movement towards you if possible. So start farther away. At any movement towards you such as looking at you, you move away. If you ig retreats, you just stand there quietly. When he stops and maybe looks at you again, then you move away. Also, will your ig eat with you in the room yet? Put out your hand and then high value food like fruit and remove your hand
@GeOzeratul Go more slowly. Just hold your hand out as if you were picking him up. Wait. When he relaxes--even a little bit--take your hand away. Repeat many many times until you can slip your hand under, he stays relaxed, you take your hand away. Once Spot was eating, I also did a lot of hand feeding after he crawled up into my hand on his own. Then I let him go again. He still doesn't really like being picked up, but tolerates it.
@GeOzeratul I don't believe igs "hate". Most likely yours is terrified of you and thinks you are going to eat him/her. Take it slow. Go to Green Iguana Society webpage for ideas on taming.
@chesleycareystar I don't know much about basilisks. But reptiles really aren't usually all that warm and cuddly. :) The friendly ones you meet are weirdos. :)
Another thing I am beginning to worry about is that it isn't using the bathroom in it watering spot. I heard that them not using the bathroom in the water could harm them?
@MrGreeniguana7 It can only be a problem if you have the wrong substrate and particles get caught in the ig's vent. I just use newspaper with paper towels on top. It is VERY easy to clean up. My guy only uses his water-litter box about 75% of the time. Don't use sand, wood chips, etc.
What temperature is it where the iguana basks? That's the important thing. Put a thermometer right under the lamp. It should be no more than 90-100 and the rest of the tank should be 75-80. You can also ask over at Green Iguana Society.
my 2 month old iguana is very skittish when i go to pick it up but once i get it in my hand its very calm iv been trying the c.a.t. and it isn't really responding to me at all i wont to get it so i can safely pick em up and not worry about it freaking out i dont know what to do i have had it for about a week now and its in a 30 gal tank for now. and the past couple of days it has seemed very stationary it stays in its hide away alot and i am beginning to worry i dont know what to do HELP!!!!
@MrGreeniguana7 It sounds like your ig isn't settled in yet. "Calm" probably means he is shut down and terrified. I'd stop handling him for now as much as possible. Just get into a good routine: proper food, lighting, etc. When he starts coming out of his hide more and eating in your presence, then start a gentle CAT approach. Go to The Green Iguana Society webpage for more details on taming.
i think i have a 7 month ig and she was in a 10g tank now i have her in a 100g but she bites me a whips me a lot do u no why i can pet he and feed her from hand but when i go to take her out she bites,run then whips me. and i just got a leapord gecko so im wondering if her anger at me is cause of that.but my gecko is in a diff tank then my ig please help me.c.a.t. diddnt work.
@ramon8293 Unless they are itchy and shedding I don't think igs really like petting all that much. Sometimes they close their eyes...but that could just be avoidance. They aren't dogs so I don't see why they would like petting really. My guy doesn't really enjoy being picked up either. You can use this CAT method though. Gently work up to sliding your hand under...wait...when your ig relaxes...remove your hand...gradually work up to gentle lifts...ig relaxes...let go...etc.
when u were talking about the hissing part and stress i like your technique lol but when i was toddler i grew up in puerto vallarta mexico were iguanas are local animals and i would capture them and i would just grab them and pet them day by day till they got use to me
@DirtAllianceGurl69 The ig in my videos is quite young. You can start that early. Just be aware that baby iguanas are even more flighty because in the wild they have lots of predators. So GO SLOWLY. It is better for your iguana to trust you and feel safe than to actually pick him up.
@DirtAllianceGurl69 ok thanks so much! one more question when i do the hand in the cage do i reinforce the fact that when i let him sees my hand he closes his eyes and his breathing slows. good or no?
@1valle5 I think it's stress when they breathe hard. In this video I do stress my guy a little more than is desirable. You can see his little rib cage fluttering a couple times.
I have a couple questions for you. I was just wondering what you were feeding your iguana on the second day. And also, I am getting an iguana in a couple of months. It will be my third reptile. How many days does the CAT technique usually take?
@blakemay5 The red food is hibiscus flower petal (a favorite!), the green food at the end is probably Arugula and alfalfa sprouts. If you've never owned an iguana before, check out all the information on the Green Iguana Society website. Very important to get the environment and diet right. I've only done CAT once on this iguana. The entire taming process is ongoing, but the CAT part took about 5 days of intensive work until he would eat from my hand.
i got me my iguana a few days ago but i really dont know how old he is, but he cant be very old. But this is my problem, I have him in a pretty good size tank and i tried doing what you said but he is always tense and tense. I tried hand feeding him but he wont eat it, he just wants to look at me. But I think he is some what tame because when i get him out i can hold him with my hand open with no fear of him running. I just dont know what to do. I know i cant keep him if he gets older
@lizzar615 Give your ig time to settle in. Try not to handle or stress him at all for at least a week. Look up care info on The Green Iguana Society page. Make sure you've got habitat, temperatures, proper diet, etc. The CAT technique takes a long time, many days, but it's worth it. If you see too much tension, start farther away. Go SLOW.
Hi Ive had my iguana for about six months now and ive tried diffrent methods for tameing but they didnt work. I just started using this methode but because i actually have to get into to the cage with her to train she doesnt relaxe to much ive been doing this for two days and she will sit there with my hand inches away from her but she doenst relaxe her dewlap and her posture is a little stiff do you have any suggestions on how i can get her to relaxe more thanks
@rougelx You might try giving her as much space as possible for the time being. If you've tried other methods she may not trust that you aren't going to just pick her up. Find the distance where she notices you, but still can relax within about 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may have to accept tiny things like blinks and head movements and withdraw your hand. If you are inches away already, you might also try holding out a high value food like melon and then hand feed for awhile.
@rougelx Good luck! This process does take awhile! Although I can hold him now and he walks onto my arm on his own, my guy still puffs at me sometimes. It may be mostly a startle response. :)
You're iguana taming videos are amazing! I got a 3 month old green iguana recently, and i'm going to start this taming method today! I've been handling her every day, and its a chore getting her out of her enclosure. she freaks out. I wish i would have seen these videos sooner, could have saved her from a lot of un-needed stress. I see you posted these in July, how is Spot Jr. doing now in the taming area several months later? thanks for posting these videos :)
@snakegirl4life Hi! Thanks for posting. Spot is doing GREAT now. I just put my hand in his cage and he walks onto it on his own. He's a little harder to pick up when he's been resting in his favorite plants all day and it's time to go back in the cage. Gets a little wiggly and scratches me accidentally, but he is still quite manageable. He doesn't run from me anymore. I need to post new videos and will as soon as I have time.
@LumbOfmyGOD It sounds as though you are moving much too close. Attacking you is WAY over-threshold. CAT won't work if the animal is too stressed. Find the place where you can stand or put your hand that your iguana notices, but doesn't tense. Wait for any more normal, relaxed looking movements, then take your hand away or go away. Repeat often. Always try and reward relaxation or bravery by removing pressure.
Yesterday my 7 month year old iguana(HULK) witch gets really scared of me have been eating out of my hands!!!i just got him last week and he/she was acting really skittish but now hes so calm.once i watched this video i thought eh this video would never help but i actually tried it and hes so calm im able to even hold him.And on question he licks a lot like a snake is this normal.THANKS THIS REALLY HELPED ME AND FOR MY IGUANA.THANKS!!
@Mryoyojustin Hey, that's AWESOME! I'm so glad the video was helpful. Licking is totally normal and it usually means your iguana is feeling pretty safe. My iguana licks when he's interested in something, when he wants information about a surface, when he's hungry, and when he's about to walk around and explore.
Why and how my iguana was spouts to be an already tamed he's been taken to shows been showed to 1000s of people at once and not a lil fright from her she's 3.5 feet long I live 2 hours from where I got her and she layed on my lap the whaler way home and licked me a lot iv had her sence saturday idk what to do she will let me be in her 8x6x6 cage but not like within tails reach what do I dooooo ys she like this I payed a lot of money to have a basically completely tamed one she's spouts ro be li
My iguana is too flighty even though my movement is slow, he bang on the cage wire whenever I insert my hand in the cage, and violently whip his tail if I get closer, followed by panic crawling all over the cage, I just can't get close to him, even though I put in a piece of leaf through the cage side with my hand, he will run away. He is 5 month old, and it has been a week I bought him back, he seems to have no prob in settle down and begin to eat the next day after I took him home, but why?
@karuma9 That means start farther away. Don't put your hand so close. Find the place where your ig notices you but doesn't freak out and start this technique from there---even if you have to be across the room at first! Move away when he moves calmly. Stand still when he's tense and alert. This takes a long time. Be patient. I also recommend you go through the steps on The Green Iguana Society page under "Taming."
@WeKilledEMO Awesome! Did you see my latest video? Start by placing your hand palm up right in front of your ig. down near his feet. When he relaxes, take your hand away. Do this a lot until you see no flinching, freezing, running away. Then put food on you palm and slowly slide under his feet. After he eats, remove your hand to give a break. Repeat until you can slide under his belly and lift.
@WeKilledEMO The cage I have is big enough that all I have to do is wipe up any poop every day or remove the newspapers from the bottom. I don't know how big your tank is. If it is small, then try to layer a bunch of paper towels on the bottom so all you have to do it lift out the soiled ones. You can also put in a tray of water and most igs learn to poop in that. Very easy to dump and clean every day. Also, provide a hide so your ig can hide while you clean. Move your hands very slowly too.
@WeKilledEMO Iguanas need to eat every day, but yours may not eat for a few days because she's freaked out in her new home. Mine took about a week to eat and then for awhile he would only eat when I wasn't watching. Provide a hiding place for your ig and veggies everyday like mustard greens, collard greens, zucchini, carrot, bell peppers, green beans, tofu, melon, bean and alfalfa sprouts--not much lettuce or spinach. Add calcium powder and spray with water. Read a book. Igs need good care.
@WeKilledEMO If this is a new iguana, I recommend that you do not try this procedure for a week or two until she settles in. If you think she's stressed, start with your hand further away. Remove your hand when her breathing slows. BE PATIENT. My iguana in the video is only just now voluntarily walking onto my hand to eat and it's been a month! Your ig can live 12 years. Lots of time to make friends. Work only a little bit each day.
HELP ME! Im having the same problem. I just got mine yesterday. N i think its a she. She kinder scared of me. She tries to escape from its tank. But she acts normal when im not looking. Can u help me?
@WeKilledEMO Sure. I'd be happy to help. My first advise would be to leave your ig alone for a week or two. Just keep everything low key and don't stress her too much. Let her get used to you being around outside her tank, putting in her food, cleaning up, etc. But don't try and handler her until she's eating regularly and settled into a routine. Then, do like I do in this video, putting your hand in just close enough that she notices but doesn't freak, then removing your hand when she is calm.
Thank you, this is the only video ive found that is helpful. I just took in a 3 year old female 3 ft igauna that is very agressive I am going to work with it everyday with the trial method.
@corycmelvin I'm so glad. Mine is just a baby. An aggressive one will very likely take longer. Be patient and go slowly! This method really works as long as you don't push too hard. Reinforce slow movements, easy breathing, and licking.
um i got him on may 13, for a birthday present so im not exactly sure. but hes like medium size . yea when i first got him i thought he was tamed cus he always let me pick him up then one day i put my hand he got really scared and whiped the hell out of me . so i should just start my hand far from him and then slowly start putting it closer? he gets scared by fast movement or alot of movement? by the way thankx for helping me out with this really appreiciate it
@360waves123 Find the distance where he doesn't seem tense at all and wait there for him to move naturally like I do in the video. Then take your hand away. Accept even tiny movements but you are looking for slow, relaxed motion, regular breathing, head/tail lowering, licking. When you are seeing these things for a few reps, then try moving closer. Go at your igs' pace. Don't rush it!
@thistlemiss oh yea i forgot to ad. should i try petting him while im hand feeding him because usually he doesnt get scared when im hand feeding him if he does heel juss turn his body or walk away into the light but he doesnt breave hard so i kno he not little hecka scared
@360waves123 Sure. If he's okay. Do it like this to make him really like it more: Pet for just a second or two, take your hand away, then feed --in that order. You want him to like your hands because they mean food is coming. Sounds like you are doing well. I can't pet my guy yet without stress. But today I touched him under the chest.
@thistlemiss ok ill try for a couple days and see if he starts to getsused to it. ok imam try at first when i hand feed him i would get another piece while hes eating then touch him so he would get used to that and hell thing its my hand. hes doing good when he nose im gonna feed him but if i dont have food in my hand he will not let me get close to him. oh what did he do when you touched his chest ? like did he move away?
@360waves123 No. He didn't move away because I did all those repetitions of putting my hand up at a comfortable distance, waiting for him to relax, then taking my hand away. I don't want him to just tolerate my hands. I want him to like them.
@thistlemiss ok ok..and do i leave my hand in there untill mine calm down because i been putting my hand in there and if i see him breaving fast i would take it out.?
@360waves123 If he's leaving fast, you are too close! Start where you don't see much reaction at all and wait. When he relaxes or moves towards you--even a little bit--then take your hand away.
@thistlemiss oh ok i see i just put my hand in his tank and he like moved to the other side of the tank . if he does moves towards me and relaxes after i take my hand out for a couple of seconds or minute then wait to put it back in?
@360waves123 You want his stress level as low as possible. But you decide. If he's breathing fast maybe make it easier by putting your hand further back the next time. Or, if you think he's okay, just wait until his breathing calms, then take away your hand.
ok thankx i realy needed to hear that because when i open his cage he starts walking towards me and i put my hand in there and he gets a little closer and i just take my hand out because sometimes i be scared that ell bite me or something.. ill make a video and show you what i mean. but he doesnt show any signs of aggresion he usually doesnt flare his dewlap out sometimes. sometimes hell get a little scared flare his dewlap and then run.
@360waves123 How old is your ig? They are usually pretty clear when they are going to bite you. They puff up really big, curl their back and hold the tail out stiff (and will sometimes whip you with it). Sometimes they will open their mouths and hiss too. My baby only bit me when he felt really trapped--which is why I switched to this method. If he's running from you, you are pushing too hard. Move back and more slowly.
welcome ok ill go check him out.. i been doing this for like an hour nd now everytime i open the cage he starts to walk towards me!? goood or bad.. nd i han d feed em alot
hey i think your the only one on youtube who knows what there talking bout when it comes to iguanas.. im going to try this with my iguana. and if i need help or have question i will ask you ? can you maybe make videos on how your igg is doing so we can kinda see the proccess even if hes tamed if you have any spare time to do so if not its ok.. but thankx for your vid 5 stars!! : )
@360waves123 Wow! Awesome. Thanks! MrBinty1440 is pretty good too. Check him out. Lots of great info and vids and his iguanas look really tame and happy. If you try this be very careful of stress signs like heavy breathing. I almost pushed too hard in this video. Begin with your hand far enough away that your ig notices but doesn't seem tense at first. And keep your hands low and coming from underneath not up above. Spot has now started target training and I will post more videos.
wow i just grave mine slowley from the bottom and put him or her cause its still young on my shoulder every day see it can knowi wont harm him or here
Thanks for posting this video. It is a wonderfull technique that can always use more advertisting. I did this a few years ago with some wild, free ranging, green anoles. I had those lizards jumping in my hand for crickets. You simply cannot get those kind of results with other techniques.
OH how wonderful! I about cheered when he finally took the flower!
I have taught several behaviors to water monitors, using R+ (on tame animals) but it never occured to me to try R- in this way for fearful ones. I wonder if using a marker would have sped up your trials? When I trained the monitors I used a box clicker and one had a very obvious CER by the third click! They are smarter than we give them credit for. :)
@VTECsqznN2O Cool! Now that I'm in range to switch to R+ I may use a marker soon. It would be so cool if I could get this little guy to follow a target! What types of things can water monitors do?
@thistlemiss The one I worked with... I first, shaped to stay near me (they want to wander off) and then I was able to teach him to target my hand with his nose, to lift my hand with his nose and also come on cue, I was getting recalls up to 12ish feet away on cue and then xmas season hit and I stopped working with him, you video tho, is inspiring, maybe I'll take it up again. :)
@VTECsqznN2O I don't think the marker is really neccesary for this procedure. The animal will be watching you very closely, it should be pretty obvious when you are moving away. I don't really think the animal needs any additional information.
@varnonzero Correct, neccessary, no, I was wondering if it would SPEED UP the trials, as we all know, you can train many things without markers, but the use of a mechanical marker speeds up learning. ; )
The reason this is CAT and not BAT IMO is because my hand is approaching and retreating contingent on his behavior as opposed to him moving towards me and away (which would be hard to do with an iguana). I'm also using a tiny bit of extinction on a couple trials where he gets tense. I do wait him out. One thing I have learned from BAT, however, is that if he panics or shows more than slight tension, it is best to abort. The CAT philosophy comes from this gentle R- taming idea used on horses.
My iguana sometimes freezing in place or posturing/leaning as I approach the cage from about four or five feet away(well before i can get to the cage door). Is it correct to accept that movement and back off when he unfreezes, so to speak? And if so, whenever I approach the cage during feeding time or to change his water, do you believe that it would that unravel or even reverse any progress i've made to continue to place his food in the cage even if he is obviously fearful?
billmurry420 6 days ago
@billmurry420 Excellent questions. As much as you can, just try to reinforce any slight relaxation by your iguana with moving away again--even if it just for a minute. Give him a break, then move forward again. Mine is pretty tame now and will let me pick her up, but still sometimes reflexively tenses as I approach.
sowings42 5 days ago
what kind of lighting did you use in this video? was that his permanent home for a while? also, how did you keep up with humidity in an open air cage?
asdewqasdfgh 1 month ago
That was great! "Patience", sensitive to the fears of the animal. No forced handling. No chasing the animal around in the enclosure. You let the animal decide when the time was safe for interaction with you. You came toward him from below and at his eye level and not from above like a predator. All keepers should learn these valuable keeper skills. I use them myself with my monitor lizards. Time and patience = rewarding safer interaction with these beautiful animals. Two thumbs up! :)
lizardroom 1 month ago
i tried doing your tutorial but just get tail whipped lol and started to kinda (hiss) at me. it is 6 months old. Great video by the way :)
TipsOnMinecraft 1 month ago in playlist More videos from thistlemiss
I can't get what you are doing in the step 3~4... I've got my ig to eat food out of my palm though,
Please Answer! :D
iSolarSunrise 1 month ago
@iSolarSunrise Do you mean the videos 3 and 4? In those I was experimenting with using a clicker to mark behavior, but never got very far with that. What was most effective in the end was just hand feeding everyday and gradual picking up and putting her down again when she was calm. She still gets a little fussy when restrained at times, but is mostly pretty tame and easy to manage.
thistlemiss 1 month ago
When i was taming my iguana i just stuck my hand in his cage and he'd go berserk!I only did that once because he bit me.lol.he wasn't even a baby,he was an adult!after that i took another approach.i read to him.I was only like 6 years old.i started reading doctor sues books to him.lol.and it really worked!now i can do anything with him.though i think it was because he got used to me being in the room,but i could of swore he listened to me.lol.
mordmil10 2 months ago in playlist More videos from thistlemiss
@mordmil10 Cool! Sounds like your iguana got used to you eventually. CAT is not about just sticking your hand in really anyway. It's about finding the right distance where the animal does not freak out, waiting for a calm/peaceful behavior, then moving away again. If you start at the right place and he's calm and you leave (like it sounds you did), you build up friendlier behaviors. Good work! Love the Dr. Seuss!
thistlemiss 2 months ago
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RuePanic 2 months ago in playlist Iguana Taming
thank you!!!! i finally have the answer to taming my little iguana
1skittlebear7 2 months ago in playlist More videos from thistlemiss
@1skittlebear7 Great! Best of luck to you. Remember to not hurry things and he should come around.
thistlemiss 2 months ago
i have tried this same step for 6 months just putting my hand in his cage and he still is very mean
beanthemean3323 2 months ago
@beanthemean3323 What behaviors are you reinforcing? Whatever he is doing when you take your hand out is what gets reinforced. If your guy is "still mean" you are very likely starting too close to him and all he is doing is acting aggressively. Find the distance where he notices your hand but can move and act more normally.
thistlemiss 2 months ago
Thistlemiss, I recently rescued a 6(to 7) month old Iguana, whose previous houser couldn't give him (her?) the proper attention. His behavior about me changes throughout the day, as to whether he would rather run from my every move, or watch my every move. (Not being in his house, of course!) I'm wondering, should I wait some time for him to warm up to his new environment (my apt, he kept his original terrarium)? Thanks
mikec583 2 months ago
@mikec583 Yep. Allowing your ig lots of adjustment time is always a good idea. They seem to really like a steady routine...lights on and off at the same times, feeding time the same, etc.
thistlemiss 2 months ago
Probably not the water but the sound and movement of the spraying. My ig is quite tame now but she still puffs her dewlap out now and then. Often it is just a reflex. Good to hear C.A.T. is starting to work for you. Take a lot of time--weeks or months even sometimes. So be patient!
sowings42 3 months ago
Ok I Tried it, It Works But when my humidity goes below 50% i spray to the whole cage again she extends his/her dewlap =( shes/he scared of water?
CalvinTeeKai 3 months ago
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CalvinTeeKai 3 months ago
I Dont Understand =(
CalvinTeeKai 3 months ago
@CalvinTeeKai What part don't you understand? You find a place where you can put your hand in but don't scare you ig and wait. When your ig moves in a relaxed way, remove your hand. When your hand goes away, the ig feels relief and you reinforce the relaxed behavior. Repeat a lot of times until you can move closer and he is still calm.
thistlemiss 3 months ago
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CalvinTeeKai 3 months ago
i have another way. RESPECT and LOVE worked for my female iguana, now she crawls onto my lap and cuddles with me
IZAYAnecronightreign 4 months ago
@IZAYAnecronightreign Glad to hear it. I feel pretty strong love and respect for my girl too. The C.A.T. approach when done slowly and correctly can be very respectful because it respects the animal's fear and provides lots of relief instead of learned helplessness...But it sounds like what you did worked great too! :)
sowings42 3 months ago
It's nice as well as interesting to see that you're so committed to creating a comfortable environment, as far as interaction with humans goes, for your iguana.
HamishLamingtons 4 months ago
@HamishLamingtons Thanks! I feel it is very important, not just so Spot has a better quality of life with us humans....but also for safety. An untamed iguana is very dangerous! :) Spot is doing well. She still gets a little grumpy about being restrained, but is for the most part very calm with handling and still loves our hand feeding sessions.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
I have handled my iguana daily for years and he still tries to bite my face off
5150gamer 4 months ago
@5150gamer You might try this technique. Much more gradual acclimation to handling. Just holding the ig every day might be too overwhelming. Each time you hold him, it is so unpleasant for both of you, he learns over and over again that he hates it. Also, each time your ig freaks out and gets free of your hands, he learns that aggression works. C.A.T. is about teaching the opposite. It would take your iggie a very very long time now to unlearn the aggression though. Sorry.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
@thistlemiss Its more of a cage agression thing, when he is in his cage he will come after me and jump and try to bite me. When I first got him the owners had neglected and mistreated him and he was in way to small of a cage. He never really got over being mean but he still is awesome. I have a video of him and he was acting nice for once lol Im gonna try C.A.T.
5150gamer 4 months ago
@5150gamer That's perfect then. Cage aggression is easier to deal with because it happens in only that one place. Teach him that calm behaviors make you go away instead. Do it a lot a lot a lot until you can get close to him without him jumping at you. But start the whole process far enough away that he doesn't act aggressive at all, just notices you.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
my iguana goes into freeze mode when i get near him i would like to know how i can get to the point were he comes to me to get picked up instead of freezing up. Thank you
GeOzeratul 4 months ago
@GeOzeratul If you notice in this video I'm actually trying to reinforce calm, natural movements. You have to start tiny at first. Take anything. Changes in breathing even. Head turns. Licking is especially important to reinforce. Relaxing the legs. That sort of thing. Take your hand away each time your ig does these types of things. It also might help to start farther away at first. Find the spot your ig notices you but still looks normal. Igs hold still for long periods of time though. :)
thistlemiss 4 months ago
About how long dose this program take to train an iguana
2britishlovers 4 months ago
@2britishlovers I let this little one settle in for 3 weeks first, then did CAT intensively as you see here for 2 weeks...That got us over the hump of her being able to eat out of my hands. Then it was all easy from there.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
wait great video but I have a question when his dewlap spreads out do i put my hand away? or let it stay till his dewlap retracts?
DJman30000 4 months ago
@DJman30000 Try and wait for it to retract before taking your hand away--usually...unless your ig relaxes in some other way but the dewlap stays open sort of accidentally (which my girl does sometimes). Stiff, flared dewlap is usually a stress sign though. -S
thistlemiss 4 months ago
This video is amazing. I have 2 blue iguana's as you can see in my video and have been trying to tame them. Everything I have read always said to just pick them up and hold them untill they calm down and do it repeatedly. This has not worked so I am going to try your way out. I built a cage for them but dont want to put them in there yet because i dont want to chase them around to tame them. please check out my video of my custom built cage also.
gquality187 5 months ago
@gquality187 Yep. I read all that too. You've got to build trust first. Always remember your igs have a deep instinct to panic and flee because they are afraid of being captured and eaten. Be very patient and go SLOWLY. If they panic each time you hold them they learn to hate being held. Teach them to love it. With this method you can put them in a larger cage because they more freedom they have, the safer they'll feel. My cage here has three levels but is narrow. Spot's new cage is 6' x 4' x 4'
thistlemiss 5 months ago
Great video. I learned alot from this video. Everything I have read always said to just pick them up and hold them until they calmed down and do it repeatedly. I have not got any where with this approach. I just got 2 blue iguana's and built a custom cage for the as you can see in my video but I dont want to put them in there until they are very tamed so I dont have to chase them. Please check out my video and tell me what you think.
gquality187 5 months ago
Hi my juevinile iguana has been licking me constantly...is that good? Also he doesn't eat from my hand and i have been working with him a lot.
TheMrMGuy 5 months ago
@TheMrMGuy Licking is usually a good sign of calm, curious, maybe even friendly behavior. If he always associates your hands with being picked up, he may not trust them enough to eat out of them. Try really yummy food offered in a small bowl instead.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
@thistlemiss My baby always licks when I take him out of the tank, but I reach in and grab him slowly , he still jumps around. but once he is out he is fine, its the initial getting him out of the cage that is the problem, but he licks all the time when he is out. i believe he is 6-7 months.. approx. we really don't know.
SassyMustang1980 4 months ago
hi i just got a baby green ig today, hes about 3 months old and hes really scared
when i put my hand in his cage, he closes his eyes and does not eat when im around, any suggestions or advice? thanks
Sa3do0n999 6 months ago
@Sa3do0n999 Fearfulness undermines everything. Give your baby lots of time to settle in. Don't force yourself on him/her. Go to Green Iguana society web page. Look up "taming". Great advise there. Once your iguana is eating and seems more comfortable, then you can start working towards handling as you see me doing here. Sometimes takes weeks! Be patient.
thistlemiss 5 months ago
absalutely amazing!
xplayer7 6 months ago
I had trained my young iguana to walk onto my hand to leave the cage or room, but as he is older now he no longer does this. He is also free roaming in my room now. He still eats from my hand and seems his perferred method, but he never wants to be held. To pick him up I nudge under his chest until he puts his hands on mine then I remove him slowly
marsy91 6 months ago
@marsy91 Seems like a great way to do it. I don't think any ig likes being grabbed. What you are doing sounds perfect.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
i just grab my 3weeks old iguana and when it struggle, wrap it with a warm towel, and it got calm~ that's all. and after 15 month, it got very VERY friendly and never whip at me~ i always grab and tickle it and bully my iggy because its tooOo cute~!!
p/s: i just don't know whathell am i talking about :P i can't do this technique.. its giving me stress :P
bahia 6 months ago
@bahia Sounds like what you did worked for you...No need to do this then. I just didn't want to stress my ig by grabbing her and forcing her to deal with me until she was ready.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
how EXACTLY do you do this technique??
PurroPincheParri 6 months ago
@PurroPincheParri Simple. Find the distance where your ig notices you but doesn't act scared. Wait for natural, calm, or interested movement (take very subtle movements at first), remove your hand. Repeat repeat repeat. Removing your hand reinforces the calm behavior. Gradually decrease the distance until you can gently handle or hand feed your ig.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
This is really confusing! When he's being friendly you move *away*?
MsSonya273 6 months ago
@MsSonya273 Yes. Animals run or act aggressively to get distance from the thing that is stressing them out. This method reverses that. When your ig relaxes, then you move away. Moving away rewards, or, reinforces the relaxation. After many repetitions, the iguana does actually seem to "feel" friendly (instead of just acting like it), and then you can switch to rewarding friendly with treats.
thistlemiss 4 months ago
This was working, until my dad came in and messed with the iguana. >:l I get mad when he does stuff like that. His dewlap was relaxed and everything, then he came and messed with it >:l
MrReptiledude11 6 months ago
I have a small hatchling(month old) I saved an egg from some seagulls and to my suprise a baby iguana was born from it (scaly my iguana) So I adopted him.
He always ate from my hand and sometimes is calm when I pick him/her up but all of a sudden he stoped liking to get picked up?
I started trying this method right away to see how it goess.
Kidanis 7 months ago
today my iguana at the slightest movement calmley terned around and walked away wat should i do in that situation
GeOzeratul 7 months ago
@GeOzeratul "Calmly" is better than panicked :) and it is fine if your ig chooses to take a break by moving away. But you do want to shape movement towards you if possible. So start farther away. At any movement towards you such as looking at you, you move away. If you ig retreats, you just stand there quietly. When he stops and maybe looks at you again, then you move away. Also, will your ig eat with you in the room yet? Put out your hand and then high value food like fruit and remove your hand
thistlemiss 7 months ago
@thistlemiss he eats with me looking at him yes
GeOzeratul 7 months ago
@GeOzeratul Good. Then you can slowly begin teaching him that when your hands appear...food appears!
thistlemiss 7 months ago
my iguana will let me pet him/her on the side if im lucky and then pether/him on the dewlap but wen i try to pick him/her up that wen panic sets in
GeOzeratul 7 months ago
@GeOzeratul Go more slowly. Just hold your hand out as if you were picking him up. Wait. When he relaxes--even a little bit--take your hand away. Repeat many many times until you can slip your hand under, he stays relaxed, you take your hand away. Once Spot was eating, I also did a lot of hand feeding after he crawled up into my hand on his own. Then I let him go again. He still doesn't really like being picked up, but tolerates it.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
i got my iguana as a rescue he /she hates me can u tell me sum reasons y
GeOzeratul 7 months ago
@GeOzeratul I don't believe igs "hate". Most likely yours is terrified of you and thinks you are going to eat him/her. Take it slow. Go to Green Iguana Society webpage for ideas on taming.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
its the same with my basilisks, its a male and aggressive and bitchy
chesleycareystar 7 months ago
@chesleycareystar I don't know much about basilisks. But reptiles really aren't usually all that warm and cuddly. :) The friendly ones you meet are weirdos. :)
thistlemiss 7 months ago
@thistlemiss not weird anymore. still on training. Basilisk and Iguana are relatives
chesleycareystar 7 months ago
Someone please messege me the products i will need for my iguanna such a what kind of lighting and everything to keep it alive and healthy (:
svallejo123 7 months ago
@svallejo123 Go to The Green Iguana Society webpage for information--everything you need to know is there.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
Another thing I am beginning to worry about is that it isn't using the bathroom in it watering spot. I heard that them not using the bathroom in the water could harm them?
MrGreeniguana7 7 months ago
@MrGreeniguana7 It can only be a problem if you have the wrong substrate and particles get caught in the ig's vent. I just use newspaper with paper towels on top. It is VERY easy to clean up. My guy only uses his water-litter box about 75% of the time. Don't use sand, wood chips, etc.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
What temperature is it where the iguana basks? That's the important thing. Put a thermometer right under the lamp. It should be no more than 90-100 and the rest of the tank should be 75-80. You can also ask over at Green Iguana Society.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
it seemed more active before i got this uvb bulb it is a 10.0 is that to much?
MrGreeniguana7 7 months ago
@MrGreeniguana7 See my post above. It is to you.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
my 2 month old iguana is very skittish when i go to pick it up but once i get it in my hand its very calm iv been trying the c.a.t. and it isn't really responding to me at all i wont to get it so i can safely pick em up and not worry about it freaking out i dont know what to do i have had it for about a week now and its in a 30 gal tank for now. and the past couple of days it has seemed very stationary it stays in its hide away alot and i am beginning to worry i dont know what to do HELP!!!!
MrGreeniguana7 7 months ago
@MrGreeniguana7 It sounds like your ig isn't settled in yet. "Calm" probably means he is shut down and terrified. I'd stop handling him for now as much as possible. Just get into a good routine: proper food, lighting, etc. When he starts coming out of his hide more and eating in your presence, then start a gentle CAT approach. Go to The Green Iguana Society webpage for more details on taming.
thistlemiss 7 months ago
my 1 year old ig is still alert when i do the cat method wat am i doin wrong
iguanalover21 8 months ago
i have a question.my cousin have an iguana and he picks it up when its asleep,what will that lead to and its steel a baby?
gamemixer11 8 months ago
would this also work for a savannah monitor?
laurenhetland 8 months ago
@laurenhetland It should. Same principles apply to all species as far as I know.
thistlemiss 8 months ago
i think i have a 7 month ig and she was in a 10g tank now i have her in a 100g but she bites me a whips me a lot do u no why i can pet he and feed her from hand but when i go to take her out she bites,run then whips me. and i just got a leapord gecko so im wondering if her anger at me is cause of that.but my gecko is in a diff tank then my ig please help me.c.a.t. diddnt work.
smoothyice 8 months ago
I have 2 igs ones about 4 months and the other is around 6 months
the 4 month will eat out of my hand and sometimes climb on me and ill walk around with him for a while, but he wont like me petting?
The 6 month lets me feed him alot and lets me pet but sometimes he doesnt like pet and he never lets me pick him up? any tips?
ramon8293 8 months ago
@ramon8293 Unless they are itchy and shedding I don't think igs really like petting all that much. Sometimes they close their eyes...but that could just be avoidance. They aren't dogs so I don't see why they would like petting really. My guy doesn't really enjoy being picked up either. You can use this CAT method though. Gently work up to sliding your hand under...wait...when your ig relaxes...remove your hand...gradually work up to gentle lifts...ig relaxes...let go...etc.
thistlemiss 8 months ago
It must have felt amazing to have your iggy eat out of your hand! I'm still in the process of taming my 10 week old Ig, shes very feisty.
Tyler98015 9 months ago
when u were talking about the hissing part and stress i like your technique lol but when i was toddler i grew up in puerto vallarta mexico were iguanas are local animals and i would capture them and i would just grab them and pet them day by day till they got use to me
323AuTo323 9 months ago
please help me if any way possible watch my help videos and tell me what i need to do!!!
lizzards27 10 months ago
I am using this method on my 3 month old green iguana is this ok? should there be any extra things i should because he is so small and young?
DirtAllianceGurl69 10 months ago
@DirtAllianceGurl69 The ig in my videos is quite young. You can start that early. Just be aware that baby iguanas are even more flighty because in the wild they have lots of predators. So GO SLOWLY. It is better for your iguana to trust you and feel safe than to actually pick him up.
thistlemiss 10 months ago
@DirtAllianceGurl69 ok thanks so much! one more question when i do the hand in the cage do i reinforce the fact that when i let him sees my hand he closes his eyes and his breathing slows. good or no?
DirtAllianceGurl69 10 months ago
What does it mean when when the iguana starts breathing hard....
1valle5 10 months ago
@1valle5 I think it's stress when they breathe hard. In this video I do stress my guy a little more than is desirable. You can see his little rib cage fluttering a couple times.
thistlemiss 10 months ago
I have a couple questions for you. I was just wondering what you were feeding your iguana on the second day. And also, I am getting an iguana in a couple of months. It will be my third reptile. How many days does the CAT technique usually take?
blakemay5 11 months ago
@blakemay5 The red food is hibiscus flower petal (a favorite!), the green food at the end is probably Arugula and alfalfa sprouts. If you've never owned an iguana before, check out all the information on the Green Iguana Society website. Very important to get the environment and diet right. I've only done CAT once on this iguana. The entire taming process is ongoing, but the CAT part took about 5 days of intensive work until he would eat from my hand.
thistlemiss 11 months ago
i got me my iguana a few days ago but i really dont know how old he is, but he cant be very old. But this is my problem, I have him in a pretty good size tank and i tried doing what you said but he is always tense and tense. I tried hand feeding him but he wont eat it, he just wants to look at me. But I think he is some what tame because when i get him out i can hold him with my hand open with no fear of him running. I just dont know what to do. I know i cant keep him if he gets older
lizzar615 11 months ago
And isnt tame enough to have around the house. What should i do? please reply back
lizzar615 11 months ago
@lizzar615 Give your ig time to settle in. Try not to handle or stress him at all for at least a week. Look up care info on The Green Iguana Society page. Make sure you've got habitat, temperatures, proper diet, etc. The CAT technique takes a long time, many days, but it's worth it. If you see too much tension, start farther away. Go SLOW.
thistlemiss 11 months ago
Hi Ive had my iguana for about six months now and ive tried diffrent methods for tameing but they didnt work. I just started using this methode but because i actually have to get into to the cage with her to train she doesnt relaxe to much ive been doing this for two days and she will sit there with my hand inches away from her but she doenst relaxe her dewlap and her posture is a little stiff do you have any suggestions on how i can get her to relaxe more thanks
rougelx 1 year ago
@rougelx You might try giving her as much space as possible for the time being. If you've tried other methods she may not trust that you aren't going to just pick her up. Find the distance where she notices you, but still can relax within about 30 seconds to 1 minute. You may have to accept tiny things like blinks and head movements and withdraw your hand. If you are inches away already, you might also try holding out a high value food like melon and then hand feed for awhile.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss thanks for the tip, ill try the hand feeding, and i have been accepting the small things like head movements and licking
rougelx 1 year ago
@rougelx Good luck! This process does take awhile! Although I can hold him now and he walks onto my arm on his own, my guy still puffs at me sometimes. It may be mostly a startle response. :)
thistlemiss 1 year ago
You're iguana taming videos are amazing! I got a 3 month old green iguana recently, and i'm going to start this taming method today! I've been handling her every day, and its a chore getting her out of her enclosure. she freaks out. I wish i would have seen these videos sooner, could have saved her from a lot of un-needed stress. I see you posted these in July, how is Spot Jr. doing now in the taming area several months later? thanks for posting these videos :)
snakegirl4life 1 year ago
@snakegirl4life Hi! Thanks for posting. Spot is doing GREAT now. I just put my hand in his cage and he walks onto it on his own. He's a little harder to pick up when he's been resting in his favorite plants all day and it's time to go back in the cage. Gets a little wiggly and scratches me accidentally, but he is still quite manageable. He doesn't run from me anymore. I need to post new videos and will as soon as I have time.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
im trying to do this but he attacks me with his tail
LumbOfmyGOD 1 year ago
@LumbOfmyGOD It sounds as though you are moving much too close. Attacking you is WAY over-threshold. CAT won't work if the animal is too stressed. Find the place where you can stand or put your hand that your iguana notices, but doesn't tense. Wait for any more normal, relaxed looking movements, then take your hand away or go away. Repeat often. Always try and reward relaxation or bravery by removing pressure.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Yesterday my 7 month year old iguana(HULK) witch gets really scared of me have been eating out of my hands!!!i just got him last week and he/she was acting really skittish but now hes so calm.once i watched this video i thought eh this video would never help but i actually tried it and hes so calm im able to even hold him.And on question he licks a lot like a snake is this normal.THANKS THIS REALLY HELPED ME AND FOR MY IGUANA.THANKS!!
Mryoyojustin 1 year ago
@Mryoyojustin Hey, that's AWESOME! I'm so glad the video was helpful. Licking is totally normal and it usually means your iguana is feeling pretty safe. My iguana licks when he's interested in something, when he wants information about a surface, when he's hungry, and when he's about to walk around and explore.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Why and how my iguana was spouts to be an already tamed he's been taken to shows been showed to 1000s of people at once and not a lil fright from her she's 3.5 feet long I live 2 hours from where I got her and she layed on my lap the whaler way home and licked me a lot iv had her sence saturday idk what to do she will let me be in her 8x6x6 cage but not like within tails reach what do I dooooo ys she like this I payed a lot of money to have a basically completely tamed one she's spouts ro be li
stickcreation 1 year ago
My iguana is too flighty even though my movement is slow, he bang on the cage wire whenever I insert my hand in the cage, and violently whip his tail if I get closer, followed by panic crawling all over the cage, I just can't get close to him, even though I put in a piece of leaf through the cage side with my hand, he will run away. He is 5 month old, and it has been a week I bought him back, he seems to have no prob in settle down and begin to eat the next day after I took him home, but why?
karuma9 1 year ago
@karuma9 That means start farther away. Don't put your hand so close. Find the place where your ig notices you but doesn't freak out and start this technique from there---even if you have to be across the room at first! Move away when he moves calmly. Stand still when he's tense and alert. This takes a long time. Be patient. I also recommend you go through the steps on The Green Iguana Society page under "Taming."
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Great! Lucky i met u! :D Thanks mate! Do ya own a Facebook acc?
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
Hey. I can hand feed my ig already. So what's my next move. I really wanna handle her now. :D Cant wait!
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO Awesome! Did you see my latest video? Start by placing your hand palm up right in front of your ig. down near his feet. When he relaxes, take your hand away. Do this a lot until you see no flinching, freezing, running away. Then put food on you palm and slowly slide under his feet. After he eats, remove your hand to give a break. Repeat until you can slide under his belly and lift.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Hey. My ig has this layer of white skin over her back. Its normal right?
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO Yep. That just means she's about to shed.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Kay! Thanks! U've been a big help. (:
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO ye welcome. Keep me posted on how things go. :)
thistlemiss 1 year ago
How do ya clean the tank when she's doesn't let ya handle her?
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO The cage I have is big enough that all I have to do is wipe up any poop every day or remove the newspapers from the bottom. I don't know how big your tank is. If it is small, then try to layer a bunch of paper towels on the bottom so all you have to do it lift out the soiled ones. You can also put in a tray of water and most igs learn to poop in that. Very easy to dump and clean every day. Also, provide a hide so your ig can hide while you clean. Move your hands very slowly too.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO Also, make sure your ig has climbing branches so he can sit up above while you clean down below.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
One question. Do i always put food in her tank. Or just feed it once in a while.
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO Iguanas need to eat every day, but yours may not eat for a few days because she's freaked out in her new home. Mine took about a week to eat and then for awhile he would only eat when I wasn't watching. Provide a hiding place for your ig and veggies everyday like mustard greens, collard greens, zucchini, carrot, bell peppers, green beans, tofu, melon, bean and alfalfa sprouts--not much lettuce or spinach. Add calcium powder and spray with water. Read a book. Igs need good care.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
So im doing the same as you in the video. Are u sure this gonna work? Coz she breath very fast when my hand got close.
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO If this is a new iguana, I recommend that you do not try this procedure for a week or two until she settles in. If you think she's stressed, start with your hand further away. Remove your hand when her breathing slows. BE PATIENT. My iguana in the video is only just now voluntarily walking onto my hand to eat and it's been a month! Your ig can live 12 years. Lots of time to make friends. Work only a little bit each day.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Kay, thx. I'll try. Hopefully we get along together. Coz im planing of keeping it for a long period. :D
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
HELP ME! Im having the same problem. I just got mine yesterday. N i think its a she. She kinder scared of me. She tries to escape from its tank. But she acts normal when im not looking. Can u help me?
WeKilledEMO 1 year ago
@WeKilledEMO Sure. I'd be happy to help. My first advise would be to leave your ig alone for a week or two. Just keep everything low key and don't stress her too much. Let her get used to you being around outside her tank, putting in her food, cleaning up, etc. But don't try and handler her until she's eating regularly and settled into a routine. Then, do like I do in this video, putting your hand in just close enough that she notices but doesn't freak, then removing your hand when she is calm.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Thank you, this is the only video ive found that is helpful. I just took in a 3 year old female 3 ft igauna that is very agressive I am going to work with it everyday with the trial method.
corycmelvin 1 year ago
@corycmelvin I'm so glad. Mine is just a baby. An aggressive one will very likely take longer. Be patient and go slowly! This method really works as long as you don't push too hard. Reinforce slow movements, easy breathing, and licking.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
ok thankx ill try this and ill keep u posted
360waves123 1 year ago
um i got him on may 13, for a birthday present so im not exactly sure. but hes like medium size . yea when i first got him i thought he was tamed cus he always let me pick him up then one day i put my hand he got really scared and whiped the hell out of me . so i should just start my hand far from him and then slowly start putting it closer? he gets scared by fast movement or alot of movement? by the way thankx for helping me out with this really appreiciate it
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 Find the distance where he doesn't seem tense at all and wait there for him to move naturally like I do in the video. Then take your hand away. Accept even tiny movements but you are looking for slow, relaxed motion, regular breathing, head/tail lowering, licking. When you are seeing these things for a few reps, then try moving closer. Go at your igs' pace. Don't rush it!
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss oh yea i forgot to ad. should i try petting him while im hand feeding him because usually he doesnt get scared when im hand feeding him if he does heel juss turn his body or walk away into the light but he doesnt breave hard so i kno he not little hecka scared
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 Sure. If he's okay. Do it like this to make him really like it more: Pet for just a second or two, take your hand away, then feed --in that order. You want him to like your hands because they mean food is coming. Sounds like you are doing well. I can't pet my guy yet without stress. But today I touched him under the chest.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss ok ill try for a couple days and see if he starts to getsused to it. ok imam try at first when i hand feed him i would get another piece while hes eating then touch him so he would get used to that and hell thing its my hand. hes doing good when he nose im gonna feed him but if i dont have food in my hand he will not let me get close to him. oh what did he do when you touched his chest ? like did he move away?
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 No. He didn't move away because I did all those repetitions of putting my hand up at a comfortable distance, waiting for him to relax, then taking my hand away. I don't want him to just tolerate my hands. I want him to like them.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss ok ok..and do i leave my hand in there untill mine calm down because i been putting my hand in there and if i see him breaving fast i would take it out.?
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 If he's leaving fast, you are too close! Start where you don't see much reaction at all and wait. When he relaxes or moves towards you--even a little bit--then take your hand away.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss oh ok i see i just put my hand in his tank and he like moved to the other side of the tank . if he does moves towards me and relaxes after i take my hand out for a couple of seconds or minute then wait to put it back in?
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 You want his stress level as low as possible. But you decide. If he's breathing fast maybe make it easier by putting your hand further back the next time. Or, if you think he's okay, just wait until his breathing calms, then take away your hand.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss oh ok let me do this a couple days then ill tell you how its goin
360waves123 1 year ago
ok thankx i realy needed to hear that because when i open his cage he starts walking towards me and i put my hand in there and he gets a little closer and i just take my hand out because sometimes i be scared that ell bite me or something.. ill make a video and show you what i mean. but he doesnt show any signs of aggresion he usually doesnt flare his dewlap out sometimes. sometimes hell get a little scared flare his dewlap and then run.
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 How old is your ig? They are usually pretty clear when they are going to bite you. They puff up really big, curl their back and hold the tail out stiff (and will sometimes whip you with it). Sometimes they will open their mouths and hiss too. My baby only bit me when he felt really trapped--which is why I switched to this method. If he's running from you, you are pushing too hard. Move back and more slowly.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
welcome ok ill go check him out.. i been doing this for like an hour nd now everytime i open the cage he starts to walk towards me!? goood or bad.. nd i han d feed em alot
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 If he's walking towards you--that's good!!
thistlemiss 1 year ago
hey i think your the only one on youtube who knows what there talking bout when it comes to iguanas.. im going to try this with my iguana. and if i need help or have question i will ask you ? can you maybe make videos on how your igg is doing so we can kinda see the proccess even if hes tamed if you have any spare time to do so if not its ok.. but thankx for your vid 5 stars!! : )
360waves123 1 year ago
@360waves123 Wow! Awesome. Thanks! MrBinty1440 is pretty good too. Check him out. Lots of great info and vids and his iguanas look really tame and happy. If you try this be very careful of stress signs like heavy breathing. I almost pushed too hard in this video. Begin with your hand far enough away that your ig notices but doesn't seem tense at first. And keep your hands low and coming from underneath not up above. Spot has now started target training and I will post more videos.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
wow i just grave mine slowley from the bottom and put him or her cause its still young on my shoulder every day see it can knowi wont harm him or here
JESSEBOi8500 1 year ago
This ROCKS, Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing your work with CAT.
Kellie (CAT co-developer)
TexasBehaviorist 1 year ago
This ROCKS, Sarah! Kellie Snider.
TexasBehaviorist 1 year ago
@TexasBehaviorist Thanks, Kellie. Sorry I didn't give you two credit in the video! I was up late working on it and forgot to put that slide in. :)
thistlemiss 1 year ago
You ROCK Sarah!!!!!!! Kellie Snider (who assisted Dr. Rosales-Ruiz in developing the CAT procedure).
TexasBehaviorist 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this video. It is a wonderfull technique that can always use more advertisting. I did this a few years ago with some wild, free ranging, green anoles. I had those lizards jumping in my hand for crickets. You simply cannot get those kind of results with other techniques.
varnonzero 1 year ago
@varnonzero How awesome is that! I can't imagine pulling this off with wild lizards. How did you keep them from running completely away?
thistlemiss 1 year ago
OH how wonderful! I about cheered when he finally took the flower!
I have taught several behaviors to water monitors, using R+ (on tame animals) but it never occured to me to try R- in this way for fearful ones. I wonder if using a marker would have sped up your trials? When I trained the monitors I used a box clicker and one had a very obvious CER by the third click! They are smarter than we give them credit for. :)
VTECsqznN2O 1 year ago
@VTECsqznN2O Cool! Now that I'm in range to switch to R+ I may use a marker soon. It would be so cool if I could get this little guy to follow a target! What types of things can water monitors do?
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss The one I worked with... I first, shaped to stay near me (they want to wander off) and then I was able to teach him to target my hand with his nose, to lift my hand with his nose and also come on cue, I was getting recalls up to 12ish feet away on cue and then xmas season hit and I stopped working with him, you video tho, is inspiring, maybe I'll take it up again. :)
VTECsqznN2O 1 year ago
@VTECsqznN2O Hey, that's great. Glad to inspire you. Make a video and share okay?
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@thistlemiss I'll try and get som' footage of him soon to share :)
VTECsqznN2O 1 year ago
@VTECsqznN2O Awesome! I can't wait to see that.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
@VTECsqznN2O I don't think the marker is really neccesary for this procedure. The animal will be watching you very closely, it should be pretty obvious when you are moving away. I don't really think the animal needs any additional information.
varnonzero 1 year ago
@varnonzero Correct, neccessary, no, I was wondering if it would SPEED UP the trials, as we all know, you can train many things without markers, but the use of a mechanical marker speeds up learning. ; )
VTECsqznN2O 1 year ago
really enjoyed watching this, well done Spot Jr. and Sarah!
plumwoodposse 1 year ago
@plumwoodposse Thank you!
thistlemiss 1 year ago
The reason this is CAT and not BAT IMO is because my hand is approaching and retreating contingent on his behavior as opposed to him moving towards me and away (which would be hard to do with an iguana). I'm also using a tiny bit of extinction on a couple trials where he gets tense. I do wait him out. One thing I have learned from BAT, however, is that if he panics or shows more than slight tension, it is best to abort. The CAT philosophy comes from this gentle R- taming idea used on horses.
thistlemiss 1 year ago
Very cool Sarah!
dogmomca 1 year ago
@dogmomca Thanks! Hope I don't stir up too much controversy! :)
thistlemiss 1 year ago