Instructions
Cup one hand beneath the lizard's belly. Place your index finger towards the lizard's neck and in between the forelegs. This helps to balance the lizard's length. With your other hand, support the lizard's lower abdomen or pelvic area. Lifting large lizards, such as iguanas, requires two hands.
Support the lizard's body with your arm. The lizard will be inclined to wrap its claws around something -- as it is used to doing with objects like tree branches -- so it is best to allow the lizard to reposition itself along your arm. Always keep your free hand around or on top of the lizard to make sure it is stable as it balances on your forearm.
Keep the lizard's tail tucked in between your arm and your ribcage. This is especially important if you are showing off the lizard to a group of people, because at any moment the lizard might feel threatened and whip its tail in the air, thereby injuring someone.
Move slowly and gently when holding a big lizard. Sudden movements will make it nervous, and it might start thrashing around and climbing all over you.
Pet the lizard as you hold it. Make sure you pet it in the direction of its scales, which is head to toe. Petting a lizard in the reverse direction can inflict pain if its scales are sensitive.
Allow the large lizard to perch atop your shoulder, if that is where it is comfortable. Big lizards often like to perch on top of heads, but this is not safe because the claws from the lizard can accidentally scratch your eyes.
How to Hold a Big Lizard
While it may seem like an easy or basic thing to do, there is actually a technique to holding big lizards, which is important to follow if you want to ensure that the lizard does not jump away from you. If the lizard you are handling begins to fuss, wiggle around or claw into your body, it is letting you know that it's uncomfortable and that you must readjust how you are holding it.