A pet iguana’s expression of affection can be a little different than yours. Your iguana may show affection by doing a few things that indicate it is happy and content. If you notice your pet leaning over or licking itself, chances are, it’s happy. Other signs of affection include tail twitching and head bobs. Read on to discover what these signs mean and what you can do to make your pet happy.
Head bobs
Pet iguanas can display their affection through head bobs. Iguanas don’t show head bobbing all of the time. They may simply look at you with dilated pupils, or they may be curious and unhappy. Head bobs are common among reptiles, and slow head bobbing is an expression of affection. Here are some other ways to recognize if your pet is showing affection.
First, pet iguanas will bob their heads when you approach them. When they are not in a good mood, they will whip their tail or close their eyes. If you approach them too close, they will likely lash out, and it is best to leave the area. The bob will also cause a dewlap to extend and the body to elevate, which is similar to aggressiveness. This motion is also used as a warning to other iguanas. It is important to know that if an iguana is feeling threatened, it may bite, yank the tail, or even open its mouth.
Tail twitch
Do pet iguanas show attention and affection by twitching their tails? The answer to this question depends on the iguana’s behavior and the way it communicates with you. Despite their lack of vocalization, iguanas do make a variety of sounds to convey various kinds of messages to their owners. In a mixed-emotion state, the iguana will hunch its body and head down. Its tail will twitch slowly.
Tail twitches are part of an iguana’s swagger. They are also common when they stand still. However, their purpose for doing this varies. Sometimes the iguanas twitching is due to mixed motivations, such as a desire to attack the human keeper. Moreover, they know that their actions will be viewed negatively if they attack the female.
Leaning over
A common sign of affection in iguanas is leaning over. Iguanas can lean over for several reasons. A relaxed dewlap or tail twitch may be a sign of playful affection, or it can be a warning signal. Male iguanas may try to attack a female human keeper, knowing that she will react negatively if it is attacked.
A swagger is a typical male behavior. Swaggering iguanas lean over and circle around in an effort to intimidate and court another male iguana. They also extend their dewlap downward. In the process, they may appear to be ignoring their victim. If you’re not sure what a swagger looks like, watch a video of a swaggering iguana.
Licking
Are pet iguanas showing affection by licking? The answer depends on how affectionate you are with your iguana. If you’re the type who constantly petts your iguana, you may wonder if the licking is true or not. In fact, it’s likely that your iguana isn’t actually showing affection, but it is definitely showing you that it loves you!
One reason your pet iguana will lick you is to familiarize itself with you. The licking will be for a variety of reasons, including learning where you are and how to get along with other pets. It’s a way to build a bond and form a relationship of trust. If your iguana doesn’t respond to your licking, it’s time to move on to another iguana.
Tail swagger
Iguanas may display mixed emotions and a swagger is not a sign of affection. They twitch their tails to indicate mixed emotions. For example, an iguana may swagger when he is threatening to attack the human he is courting. Depending on the situation, he may also wag his tail to signal subordination or fear.
Iguanas need time to acclimatize to their new home and have a stable routine. If they are too stressed or aggressive, back off. Make contact with your iguana at different times of the day, using gentle hands and voice. Repeat this process until the iguana feels secure and is no longer afraid of you. However, it is important to never force the animal to accept your touch.
Getting whacked by iguana tail
Despite what many people may believe, it’s possible for an iguana to regrow its tail after being bitten. Depending on age and location of break, the new tail may take anywhere from two months to one year. Although the new tail will not look exactly like the old one, it will be rounded and will feature a visible crook. So if you’ve ever been swung by an iguana’s tail, don’t panic. It’s unlikely to kill you, but it will save your iguana’s life.
It’s unlikely that an iguana will tell you how bad it hurts, but chances are, the tail isn’t nearly as painful as a serious injury to other parts of the body. The animal will likely be grateful for the life-saving operation and not tell anyone. Just keep in mind that iguanas don’t know what they’re doing! And never attempt to kill your iguana by cutting it off.
