Scales & Tales

By Ronald Classen

Walking the Fine Line

 If you are the owner of a full grown male iguana who chooses to interact with your pet and let him free-roam instead of locking him in a cage, you'll have a fine line to walk.  The territorial nature of the beast dictates that there will be challenges for environmental "turf" and this includes your home.  You have two choices if this occurs....you can either build a cage, or you can walk that fine line.

 "What line?" you ask.

It's the cross-over point between your iguana ruling the roost, or you being the dominant one.  If you allow your iguana to succeed on all his challenges (and these will occur) then you will soon find that you cannot live in your own home.  You will be chased and bitten and treated as a subordinate by your pet.  On the other hand, if you choose to assert yourself and defeat his challenges every time, your pet will be afraid of you.  This presents a whole different type of problems.  He might even refuse to eat.

Let's say you let your ig go outside.  They really love it outdoors and need to get that sunshine.  If your pet is allowed to be dominant once in a while and maintain his dignity and confidence, he will "chase" you.  If he is never allowed to win a territorial match, he will run away.  So, is it easier to control an iguana outdoors who is trying to escape or challenge you?  Remember that these creatures are known for their intelligence, but they are persistent.  The instinct is very primitive so you as the owner will have to use the discretion.  If you allow your pet to maintain some semblance of confidence, you can manage him outdoors a lot better as he will chase you anywhere you want him to go.  Just don't let him catch you.