Let me begin by describing my tormentor and her environment:

I have a female Green Iguana named Berta who is 15 months old. She has always been very gentle. Her setup is an 8 foot by 8 foot by 3.5 foot mesh enclosure, utilizing capture the sun bulbs to keep temperature at 95 degrees in the basking area to 72 degrees in the cool zone of the cage (room temperature) during the day. There are hudifiers in the enclosure which keep the humidity at a daytime level of 85 percent. She is allowed to roam during the day in my studio for usually 2 to three hours from noon until three. Her diet is that as is prescribed by Kaplan (greens with proper fruits, combined with calcium and vitamin supplements) She is handled constantly and has always been fine. Her measurements as of yesterday are: (SVL : 10.5 inches )( STL: 34.5 inches) (weight: 1.5 lbs)

However, for the past three weeks (this is Feb 6, 2006) she has suddenly changed. Whenever I reach for her in her enclosure, she attempts to bite me, going so far as rushing me, mouth open, hissing like a kettle. Her appetite has decreased over the last month, but not considerably ( I have just knocked it up to winter blahs) When she is roaming, she is basically herself.... although she did enter my shower two days ago and give me a pretty angry hiss.

I am just continuing along with our routine, being patient and understanding, but is there anything else i can do? I feel like an abused husband. "Oh, I don't know how I got those puncture wounds all over my hands."

Help!

Unfortunately I am not replying because I think I know what's going on, but as an iguana owner of 2 ig's (both just over two years of age), I would 'keep things going normal' until you hear from Heather or one of the others from the forum.
I would think that something bothered Berta...i.e. change in routine, personality change due to age/growth, and or just having a bad day (s).
I fully understand what you are saying about her. One of igs, Angel (who I believe to be a female & also Is No Angel, lol) has acted the same as you described Berta. Just allow her some space... i.e. no picking up or petting/touching for a couple of days (which you may have already done!).
Don't allow her to rule the roost. Angel is like that. She never has been a 'lover' like my other ig Pac-Man...who LOVES being petted, but once you make your presence known (like I will bring my hand in below her eye level slowly and then pet her in a confident no non-sense manner/ even though she usually tenses up in the 'warning-don't pet me' manner. Angel typically starts 'melting' in seconds, lol.
I must admit though, that I have Complete Respect for opened mouthed warnings - haven been bitten just once real good.
Feel free to contact me if you would just like to have someone/another ig owner/ to talk to. My regular e-mail is: skitt2@earthlink.net .
Enough for now I guess. Stay strong though, Berta still very much needs you whether she shows it or not.
All my best,
Sherri

Krikey's!...I just read my own reply. (yikes!)
Hopefully you'll get the jist of what I was trying to say. (blame my brain deadness, typing & grammar errors on having 'the Michigan Winter Blah's' syndrome!! lol :blink:

Hi. Thanks for your response.

She finally returned to herself. Actually, I think I was fussing over her a little too much. I gave her some extra alone time for a few days, and everything seems cool now.


E

I'm glad that she's doing well for you.
Yes. Sometimes we all just need to be left alone - to put ourselves back together, lol.
p.s. I really don't have any any one else to discuss my love for 'the guys' (Angel & Pac-Man that is :D ), so as I mentioned before, I'd be happy to hear from you again, if your interested. (Thank you.)

Best wishes to you and 'your girl' :rolleyes: :D

Sherri