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172 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2004 LEMM

In order to reduce the risk of injury to both animal and
keeper, proper restraint techniques are necessary whenever

iguanas are handled. Handling and restraint impose a tremen-
dous amount of stress on an animal, and iguanas should be
handled only when necessary (vet checks, weighing and meas-
uring, etc.). In addition, keepers should do everything possible
to reduce stress on cagemates that are not being captured. For
instance, iguanas hiding in tubes or other hide areas should not
be disturbed. Instead, the whole hide area should be moved
when in pursuit of the desired animal. These same methods
should be used with everyday cage maintenance. Captive ani-
mals may show signs of stress immediately following capture
and these signs, which may last a few days, generally include
appetite loss, constant hiding, and flight behavior.

H U S B A N D R Y

Iguana Restraint and Handling
Jeff Lemm

Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES), Zoological Society of San Diego

Photographs by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Juvenile iguanas, such as this Anegada Iguana (Cylcura pinguis), can be held in similar fashion to hatchlings. Older juveniles may need to be held
with two hands.

Hatchling animals such as this Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta)
can be handled by gently grasping the entire body. In some cases, the
head can be held with two fingers to avoid potential bites.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2004 173IGUANA RESTRAINT AND HANDLING

Because iguanas have both strong jaws and large, powerful
claws, minor injuries to keepers are common. Even juvenile
iguanas can inflict nasty bite wounds that often require stitches,
and a bite from an adult iguana can be serious. Iguana scratches
are common, especially from the long rear toes of an iguana’s
back legs. In addition, hatchling and juvenile iguanas may have
their tails broken due to improper handling techniques.

Perhaps the easiest, least-stressful way to capture an animal
from an enclosure is with a net. Large fishing nets, with the net

replaced by a cloth bag, work well for this purpose. Netting rips
easily and iguanas have the ability to break through the net and
escape or they may become wrapped in the netting itself.
Hand-grabbing or manually capturing iguanas works well with
younger animals or larger, non-aggressive adults. Keep in mind
that when cornered, some iguanas may become very agitated
and some species may rush or jump toward the keeper with
mouth agape.

Hatchling iguanas and smaller species (Brachylophus,
Dipsosaurus, Oplurus, and Sauromalus) should be restrained in
the middle of the body with the head secure between the
thumb and forefinger. Often, some species (Brachylophus and
sometimes Dipsosaurus) can be held on the palm of the hand,
eliminating body or head restraint altogether. Larger juvenile,
subadult, and adult iguanas should be restrained with two
hands. One hand should lightly, yet firmly grasp the animal
behind the head, either in the neck or shoulder region to pre-
vent the animal from turning and biting. The second hand
should be placed over the pelvic region, keeping a firm grasp on
the rear legs that are often brought forward to scratch the hand
or arm that is restraining the head. The tail of the iguana is also
a powerful weapon and can be restrained under the arm of the
rear hand. In many cases, restraining the tail and one of the rear
legs in a single grip is easier and more efficient. 

When possible, large iguanas should be restrained by two
people with one person holding the head and a second indi-

Smaller iguanas, especially individuals that are accustomed to han-
dling, such as Fiji Iguanas (Brachylophus spp.) and Desert Iguanas
(Dipsosaurus spp.) often sit in the hands of keepers. Animals that are
more flighty can be grasped like juvenile Cyclura. In this photograph,
the author is holding a Fijian Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus)
and a Fijian Crested Iguana (B. vitiensis). Photographs by Mike Swan.

Chuckwallas (Sauromalus spp.) are best held with a firm grip around
the body and may need to have the head restrained. Pictured here is
a San Esteban Island Chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius).

Tandora Grant illustrates that large iguanas (in this case a Lesser
Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima) are best handled by grasping
the head or neck with one hand and the tail and one rear leg with the
other hand.



174 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2004 LEMM

“Tame” iguanas can be supported on one arm, while the tail and rear end of the animal are gently grasped or supported with the other hand. If
the animal becomes agitated or tries to flee, the supporting front hand can easily restrain the head or the animal can be set down. Here Allison
Alberts handles “Gitmo,” a large Cuban Iguana (Cyclura nubila nubila).

Large iguanas are best restrained by two people, with one person holding the head and a second person holding the tail and rear legs. This is an
adult Anegada Iguana (Cyclura pinguis).



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2004 175IGUANA RESTRAINT AND HANDLING

vidual holding the hindquarters of the animal. During meas-
urements of larger iguanas, some keepers and field researchers
have found that blindfolds such as elastic knee bands placed
over the entire head of the animal work well to calm the animal
and keep it from attempting to bite. This technique also will
help protect the person taking measurements, as many species
of iguana will keep the mouth agape during restraint, and any
hand movement near the mouth may result in a bite.

In some cases, large, tame iguanas can be handled without
restraint for purposes of education. The easiest way to handle
these individuals is by resting them on the forearm with the
hand gently supporting the chest of the animal. The handler’s
second hand is used to support the rear of the body. If the ani-
mal should become agitated, the forward hand can easily be
shifted to restrain the head of the animal while the handler’s
other hand can restrain the tail and/or rear legs. So-called
“tame” animals can quickly become nervous or irritated outside
of their normal quarters, and handlers should always be aware
of their surroundings, in case an animal needs to be restrained.

Reference
Lemm, J. In Prep. Husbandry Manual for West Indian Iguanas. American Zoo

and Aquarium Association.
Tandora Grant is holding “Gitmo,” a large Cuban Iguana (Cyclura
nubila nubila) that resides at the San Diego Zoo.

Iguanas such as this Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) are easily captured without harm by using large, cloth nets.


