I ahve had my iguana Zey for about 3 months now. I've tried to hold him and tame him but he still runs away when I walk into the room. I can't seem to get him calm. I'm not sure what to do. Is there something I should be doing? What are everyone else's experiences? -Mal
When you come into the room, do you immediately go over to his tank and start trying to hold him, clean his cage, feed him, etc.? Instead of focusing on him when you walk into the room, don't even look at him. Just come in and go about your work or find something quiet to do. Make sure that he can see you though. Do that for a few days or a week without holding him (obviously still clean his cage and feed him though). That will show him that you aren't necessarily trying to get HIM.
After that, still don't hold him. When you reach into the cage to take his empty food dish or something, don't go anywhere near him if you can help it. Show him that he can trust you not to reach over and grab him every time you poke your hand in his enclosure. Even if he goes crazy and runs around, don't stop or try to stop him. Keep doing whatever you were doing. When he calms down, then leave.
After a while of that he should begin to calm down in your presence in spite of himself. He won't run as much or be quite as frightened. At this point then try to take him out. He might run from you and whip you, but do NOT give up. Once you try to grab him, don't give up. This shows him that whatever he was doing (tail whipping, bighting, or whatever) worked on you and made you leave. That reinforces the behavior.
Once you;ve got him, hold him firmly until he stops wiggling. Raising them over your head by your hand can help settle them. Hold him for about 5 minutes at a time a few times a day. Just be persistent about it. At this point it's just going to take time. They are wild animals. He should give in in the end.
Good luck,
Heather
I didn't realise it would take so long! I'll do what you said and see if that works. I think I'm going to move him to a quiter area of the house. He's in the living room and I think it freaks him out. Thanks for the reply. -Mal