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The Danger of Iguana Leashes
by PHTiggy
email
PHTiggy
It was a beautiful August day in 1998. I had an iguana leash someone had
given me. I thought I would take my then 7 year old iguana, Ben, outside
to get some natural sun. Not long after being outside something spooked
him and he started to run. I had barely moved the leash, but he could
feel the resistance, and he started to crocodile roll. I grabbed all 8
pounds of him and held him against my body and ran into the house. When
I put him down to try and get the leash off he started rolling again causing
the leash to tighten even further against his neck. In sheer panic I reached
around his head to try and get the leash off. The next thing I knew my
finger felt like it was on fire, and I was bleeding everywhere. In his
panic, Ben had bitten me badly. After a visit to the Emergency Room I
came home and threw that leash away. Ben has never tried to bite me or
shown any form of aggression other than that particular day with the leash
incident. We are very lucky that he is a social and lovable iguana. I
never want to cause him to feel that scared and trapped ever again.
Most of us are aware of the many products out there which are marketed towards those people who own green iguanas. Unfortunately, very few of these products are helpful and often many can injure or even cause the death of the animal such as has been noted with the infamous "hot rocks". One product that is occasionally mentioned is the "iguana leash." These leashes simply are not good for iguanas for many reasons. The leash rubs against the iguana's head, neck and back causing damage to the iguana's spikes and skin. It is also possible for these leashes to cause strangulation if they are too tight or the iguana starts crocodile rolling trying to get the irratating leash off. It is important to keep in mind that green iguanas are not dogs. Iguanas are not the kind of animal that will walk with you down the street, and they do not heel or obey commands. If you make the choice to use a leash on your iguana it is imperative that you keep such potential dangers formost in your thoughts.
There are two points of advice I would like to reinforce:
1. Iguana leashes are not appropriate for iguanas.
2. When any animal is in distress, no matter how great a pet it may be, it can and often will bite. Ben gave me many warning signs that day that I ignored, and I have since learned my lesson.
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