How to Tame an Adult Iguana

Iguanas and other lizards have become very popular as pets due to their ease of care and docile nature. Most captive-bred iguanas are handled often as babies and are accustomed to interaction with humans, especially the ones sold at pet stores. Adult iguanas that are purchased from private parties are generally the ones you have to worry about. If the iguana wasn't handled regularly, it can slip back into a feral-type mindset which requires the new owner to tame the lizard for the sake of its own safety as well as that of the owner.

Things You'll Need

  • Iguana habitat with enclosure, heat lamps and an area to hide
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the iguana in the proper habitat. The proper habitat is an enclosure that is kept at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with a spot for the iguana to bask where it is about 90 to 95 degrees. The enclosure should be kept at 60 to 65 percent humidity at all times and have an adequate source of UVA and UVB lighting. Give the iguana a place to hide in his habitat, as retreating to this place will calm him down after your taming sessions.

    • 2

      Keep male iguanas in their own habitat and don't mix them with other males or females. Males tend to try to dominate other males in any environment they are in, and this leads to fighting amongst the lizards. This return to their untamed behavior is often detrimental to training.

    • 3

      Leave the iguana undisturbed for the first 24 to 48 hours to acclimate to its new environment.

    • 4

      Begin touching or petting sessions. Reach into the enclosure and touch the iguana a few times daily. Don't attempt to pick him up yet. Continue this until the iguana doesn't recoil when you reach your hand into the cage.

    • 5

      Pick up the iguana and set it down somewhere else within the enclosure. Try this for several days or weeks until the iguana doesn't instantly run when you put your hand in the enclosure.

    • 6

      Remove the iguana from the enclosure and hold it for short periods of time. Once he stops squirming, return him to the cage. Don't put him back in the cage until he relaxes or it could be considered a win for the iguana and reinforce his untamed behavior. To safely restrain the iguana, place its back against your chest, wrap one hand around the hind legs and tail and one hand one hand around the chest just below the dewlap.