More than I bargained for? Need advise.

[Relax Mon,Jamaica MeCrazy]

I have a little rhino iguana who apparently two weeks ago hit sexual maturity. And ever since then, he's been very naughty. Basically, he wont let me handle him without a fight (mostly running away, but occasionally tries to bite me). Nothing I couldnt handle, but now he's developed a new habit, which I think could be the deciding factor on whether or not I should give him away.

Pooping.

He's learned that by pooping I bring him out of his cage and unlike most animals (like my bearded dragon who poops in one area and goes to the opposite side) my rhino iguana smeers himself all over his. He goes in the same place he uses for basking. When I Open the cage to clean him and his cage, he storms out smeering his feces all over the place. I have to spend a great amount of time catching him and then clean up the mess he left behind. after cleaning him and everything else I spend some time with him. I let him roam around a little which usually ends up with him going under something and I have to wait or try to get him out so I can catch him again.

After awhile I'll put him back in his cage and about 30 minutes after, he'll poop again and smeer it all over. At this point it tends to be very little poo and pee but enough to make me clean it again and I can tell by the look on his face and body posture that he knows what he's doing. And the cycle starts over, he starts running around, then he storms out creating a huge mess.

I think that maybe his frequent pooping is also a form of masturbation for him,which could explain why, but im not sure.

My first reaction was that maybe there is something wrong with his cage so I rechecked the humidity and temp. The cage itself was more than adequate for an Iguana his size and before puberty he didnt have any complaints. He seems very healthy and doesnt go potty when he's outside roaming around, which is his favorite place to go potty, but when I put him back in his cage, even right after potty,about 30 minutes to an hour later he squeezes whatever amount of poop and pee he can.

This wouldnt be such a big deal if I didnt work or go to school, but I do and I have already come across numerous times where I had to choose between being late to work/school or cleaning up my buddy's mess. What used to take 15 minutes or so, now takes an hour. And when I come home, he leaves me another present.

Iv'e gotten to a point where being late to work or school is no longer an option for me as I've gained a reputation of being unreliable which could cost me my grade or job.

So now I do what I must and when I come home there is my little buddy laying in his poop, basking. I dont understand with all the space he has why he goes in the same place he likes to bask.

Although its frustrating to deal with all this, I dont mind dealing with it. But im starting to ask myself if keeping him as my pet is giving him to attention he demands. I dont mind cleaning up his mess or the hard time he gives me when I try to do it, but when Im not home and he goes potty and there is no one there to clean it, that could cause health problems that I dont want to be the blame for.

Two weeks ago he was very manageable, only pooping once a day, but in the last two weeks, he has turned my world upside down. Im only gone at most for 8 hours, but it seems as if he needs hourly attention now, which I couldnt imagine possible.

Two weeks ago he required only a part of my attention, and now, he requires all of it. I dont get it.

[Adrya]

I think the pooping and smearing it on himself part is a way of scenting himself, so any other "iguanas" who possibly smell him will know who's boss... and possibly give any females an indication that he's "hot and ready to go."

I also think if you just wait until you come home everyday to clean up his mess, it shouldn't cause problems just as long as it's cleaned up and he is cleaned up. If he was just left in there for days on end without being cleaned up for a few weeks, then I can see that as being a health problem.

Also, lots of patience will be needed for him as he grows and matures more and hopefully will "grow up" a bit and not be so obnoxious later.

[Relax Mon,Jamaica MeCrazy]

Holy cow! I just realized how huge my post is!

Thank you for reading it and for the advise.

For those of you willing to read my post, I could use your inputs.

[Ekke]

I'm not a specilist but have you checked for a mite infection. I know of animals that would smear themselves to get rid of unwanted passangers.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[Relax Mon,Jamaica MeCrazy]

Originally Posted by Ekke

I'm not a specilist but have you checked for a mite infection. I know of animals that would smear themselves to get rid of unwanted passangers.

Thanks for the reply.

I sincerely doubt that he has any skin issues as I hold him every day and I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary.

He also seems very casual about his own poop. He walks over it as if he doesnt see it.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[spike06]

its mating season, its his first....he has loads of hormones, just give it time, if he continues doing this once breeding season is over, then u may have a behavioral issue

[John_White]

Could you alter his basking spot, making the top surface out of hardware cloth (wire) with a container underneath to catch his droppings? This way when he goes the material falls through the wire and out of reach.

[Ranger]

Originally Posted by John_White

Could you alter his basking spot, making the top surface out of hardware cloth (wire) with a container underneath to catch his droppings? This way when he goes the material falls through the wire and out of reach.

Nice thinking!

[Lucille]

That is a great idea!