Every iguana owner wants a tame and docile iguana. But the truth is, iguanas are prone to aggression, and you will need to work with your iguana to minimize the aggression. Sometimes, your iguana might become mad and angry, and you will need to understand. In this post, you will find the full guide on dealing with iguana aggression in both males and females.
Are iguanas evil?
No, iguanas are not evil lizards! Some people might think that iguanas are evil because they have sharp teeth and claws and can attack, but in reality, they only do that to protect themselves when they feel threatened or rivaled.
During the breeding seasons, iguanas might become angry to protect the territory and find the best mate for reproduction.
Iguanas like routines and being the only iguana in the house. Even housing male and female iguana might pose risks. During the breeding, male iguana might become aggressive, but this passes after the season finishes (if your iguana was tame before).
Most iguanas give warning signs before attacking, and you must not ignore them. Iguanas can be tamed, and even if not fully tamed, they become intelligent and inquisitive pets that recognize their owners.
What can make your iguana aggressive?
- During the breeding season (often from October-February), iguanas tend to be restless and somewhat aggressive.
- Some iguanas might get aggressive when taken outdoors, especially if you have never done this before. Introduce outdoors slowly.
- Believe it or not, some iguanas will hate certain colors on clothing, toys etc. You might notice that your iguana likes green color, but hates red or purple for example.
- Your iguana might get aggressive if you wear something around the head – like a towel or a hat that it hates.
- Presence of other pets, especially other iguanas, will definitely make your iguana aggressive, especially if it’s a male. Try to keep one iguana at home or have space for each.
- Too much noise or sudden moves will make your iguana aggressive, especially if it’s not tame. Don’t run in front of it, put your hand from top, wave near its snout and do not scream.
- During the breeding season, the male might get very aggressive if there is accumulation of sperm in the vent and secretion in the pores (on sides of the legs).
- Help your iguana remove the excess sperm by massaging the vent area towards the open flap. Too much secretion stuck in the pores can even cause pain and make your iguana mad. Soaks help with this.
Giving your iguana a warm bath (if it likes them) with the water temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius) will help it relax. Be careful when handling your iguana during the breeding season. Massage its pores and the vent as well.
A good idea is to use thick MIG welding gloves like these to handle an aggressive iguana during the breeding season. If your male iguana is aggressive during the breeding season, it can suddenly jump at you when you open the cage.
So the best way would be to open the cage doors – move to the side immediately – and handle your iguana using gloves. You can also place a thick towel on its head so it can’t see or bite you.
When do iguanas start showing breeding behaviors?
Iguanas mature sexually by the age of 1.5-3, if they have been kept in proper conditions and fed nutritious food. If you don’t know your iguana’s sex by this time, you will be definitely able to do it now.
You can find the guide on determining iguana’s gender in this post.
When is the iguana breeding season?
Iguana breeding season often starts from October to end of February. Iguana can reach sexual maturity by the age of 1.5. So, if you bought an 5-6 month old iguana, it can start showing breeding behaviors after 2 years, in winter.
The male can get especially aggressive for around 3-5 weeks during the breeding season.
What are the symptoms of a breeding male iguana?
- During the breeding season, the male iguana will be anxious, and restless.
- Male iguana will head bob more often. If it extends it dewlap (skin under the head), walks on straight legs and bobs its head- don’t approach your iguana.
- Your male iguana can go mad in the cage and ruin some accessories and hit its snout against the glass.
- Male iguana will also refuse most if not all of its food, but don’t worry – if your iguana is healthy, it won’t lose too much weight.
- It might follow you around the house and try to whip its tail.
- What is more, it might mark the territory by pooping in random spots, instead of its regular spot.
- It might try to mate with a stuffed toy, pieces of clothing, inflatable toys and so on if there is no female.
- Male iguana might leave sperm secretions (white waxy strips) around the house or the cage.
- Your iguana might become brighter in color and its pores (on the inside sides of the thighs) – larger.
Male iguana aggression signs and how to deal with it?
Even tame male iguanas might become aggressive during the breeding season. At this time, it might become aggressive towards other iguanas (if you have any), so make sure to keep them away from each other. If your male iguana is free roaming the house, it might start protecting ‘its territory’ and might become aggressive to you as well.
Never become impatient or frustrated during the breeding season, when your iguana might become aggressive. Be understanding and patient, as this behavior is only temporary. Do not try to ‘fix’ your iguana – but instead, keep the distance when necessary and do not trigger your iguana.
Breeding season male iguana aggression – how to help your iguana and yourself
To help your iguana go through the breeding period, give it space. It might be better to let your iguana free roam because it can go crazy and damage the snout, tail and limbs by banging against the glass. Also, you can make a ‘hump’ toy for your iguana – it will use it to release its ‘energy’. The toy can be a stuffed plush toy, basketball glove, inflatable toys, and even pieces of clothing.
If your iguana tries to follow or attack you, stand your ground. Running away will show your iguana that you are weaker. Stand tall, speak loudly and firmly for your iguana to leave. Use a broom if your iguana wants to attack you – and speak in a loud voice.
If your iguana bites you, do not let it go straight away – hold it for another minute and then let it go. This will show your iguana that the biting does not help to win. But in general, do your best not to get bitten and do not approach your iguana if it is already angry.
If possible, let your iguana roam the room and when aggression is severe, give it baths which can help it relax.
Is there any way to control male iguana’s aggression during the breeding season?
No, there are no reliable ways to make your iguana calmer during the breeding season. Vets and iguana owners have tried various techniques throughout the years, but the results were not reliable.
Techniques include castration (removal of reproductive organs) and hormonal therapy. But unfortunately, these procedures can be expensive, require recovery and might not be effective. The best way to deal with an aggressive iguana during the breeding season is to be patient and watch iguana’s behavior to avoid any injuries.
Reducing the number of hours with lights on can help shorten the breeding season. Read more in the next paragraph.
Reducing the number of hours with lights on to shorten the breeding season
Another thing you can do is slightly change the photoperiod – this will signal to your iguana that the breeding time should be coming to an end. If you keep the light in the iguana’s cage or even room for long hours – the breeding season will be extended.
Instead of 12 or 13 hours of daylight in a day, set the light to 10 hours of daylight and 14 hours of darkness. Using a timer like this will help automate the bulb switching on/off. Switch slowly, reducing 20 minutes of light a day to total 10 hours a day. Don’t forget about light in the room itself – make sure that the room is fully dark.
Iguanas struggle with daily activities if their owners work or move around at night. This is because this type of lifestyle does not suit an iguana.
Symptoms of a breeding female iguana
- Restlessness, aggression
- Head bobbing
- Poop painting- even female iguanas break potty habits during this time
- Refusing to eat, especially during the end of pregnancy
- Color changes – female iguana during the breeding season can turn orange or brown
- Lots of digging in the tank (trying to find the spot to lay eggs when she has been gravid for some time).
Female iguanas tend to be less aggressive than males, especially during the breeding season. To deal with the aggression in a female during the breeding season, provide her with a nesting site where she can dig actively to lay the eggs. You can also give her warm bath, which often reduce aggression.
Most female iguanas will stay laying eggs from the age of 2-3, no matter if they mate with a male. Eggs in this case will be infertile.
Thanks for reading the article! If you wish to read more on iguana aggressive iguana taming and bonding, read this post.
You can also read about iguana behaviors in this post, to understand the symptoms of an aggressive iguana.