My rhino iguana had a nightmare!!

[Relax Mon,Jamaica MeCrazy]

I was in my room at about 11pm when I noticed my sleeping iguana was kicking violently for no apparent reason. I pulled him out of the log he usually wiggle his head in, it was not stuck or hurting him, in fact, its his favorite sleeping position. He raised his head and started puffing his throat without opening his eyes. I started petting him, telling him its ok and then he suddently started running as if it was for his life. three seconds later he stopped and slowly open his eyes. I pet him again, then he simply went back to his favorite sleeping position and dozed off. I felt so bad, I stayed there for another ten minutes to make sure it didnt happen again.

Has anyone ever experienced this? I can only classify it as a nightmare since he's never done it before. Could it be something else?

	Iguana Iguana

[bleeding_sarcasm]

was he breathing okay?

[Sleepy_FF]

aww..... what a poor dear. i dont know, mebbe someone else can help.

[danceswithsavs]

if i remember accurately, all chordates (with the exception of the echidna- scaly anteater) do REM sleeping. I'm not 100% sure my memory is accurate.
Cats which have had certain brain surgery will act out their daily experiences while asleep- sleep walking, in effect. (scientific american sometime in early 1980s)
I've seen lizards twitch in their sleep (chasing that mousie?)
It seems reasonable that you may have witnessed some iguanid somnambulism.
just out of curiosity- was he a bit warmer than usual? It's known that cooler temps (for people!) make for sounder sleep. (any iowan, when fall chill arrives, will remark 'good sleeping weather!')

[Cristina]

aaww..mabey he was havin a bad dream

[TammyJamaica]

This is really interesting!

Can reptiles dream? Any tests been done on this? Do dreams have to do with level of intelligence and memory?

Check the log and your pet for mites/ticks etc. Just a thought.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[Relax Mon,Jamaica MeCrazy]

I never thought about the fact that animals, especially reptiles would have the capability to dream, but when I first saw it, my first thought was a bad dream. Everything from his expression to his body language seemed as if he was having a nightmare. I tried to think of any other reason, but I cant.

If it was a medical issue, for example mites, why hasent he done it before, and why was he able to back to sleep piecefully?

I checked him this morning and he seems perfectly fine. Just as active and healthy as usual. Nothing wierd in his eating habits or poop either.

My theory is this, I think he had a bad dream where he felt constricted some how. When I moved him out of his log, he raised his head as if it was a sigh of relief. Just for clearification, there is no way that the log could have constricted his air flow. When I started petting him he wasent awake yet, must have been dreaming still, and bolted as if he was getting attacked.

After the incident, I tried to think of anything bad that may have happen to him to cause him to have a bad dream. He pretty much lives an easy life of pampering and a human that pretty much does everything he desires.

Maybe it was at the pet store, before I got him, however I trust the pet store owner. He is very good with animals.

I have a baby redtail boa, which he always seemed very cautious about every time he saw her. Maybe he was dreaming that a big bad snake was constricting him

Whatever the cause, I hope he'll never has to go through something like that again and Im definately going to be more aware of my babies emotional side.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[Yungair23]

I think the reason he bolted and ran is because you moved/touched him and scared him. My iguana will day dream sometimes (eye's open but a blank stare) and if i go to pet him he freaks. Then stops and figure's out its just me. I think you just awoke him and he got scared. The kicking was probably him trying to get comfortable maybe? Im not sure? But Pictures are a big MUST!!!
Rhino and Cyclura (Rock Iguana's) are all just sooo cool! Any Iguana is awesome green iguana's to fiji iguana's!! Just got my reptile magazine and it was all about conservation on Iguana's! Im stoked i cant wait to finish reading it

[Jatango]

How's this for you, Nick?