Pets like iguana and lizards have their own set of body language through which they mean a lot but are often not comprehended by the owners. The body posture, eye movement, and tongue movement made by this reptile called iguana mean a lot and they communicate various emotions through these gestures.
Reptile owners, specifically the owners of iguana must learn to decipher the meaning of various gestures of the pet, to understand what they want to express.
The variation in the mood and attitude of this reptile convey when they are hungry, afraid, and sick or wish to get a mate. Licking or biting the owner lightly is a particular gesture which we will discuss now.
Iguana licking the owner
When this reptile is calm and resting, it may try to lick the hand or any body part of the owner if he or she is nearby. This is a general gesture of the pet which has Jacobson’s organ in it. this organ helps them to understand or recognize any scent that will also inform them about the place they are in.
This is a vital part of this reptile. Normally iguanas are visual animals and they can see their surroundings to get information. But Jacobson’s organ works as their secondary sense organ through which they get additional information.
What it means when your Iguana licks you?
If you are sitting at a place and the iguana approaches you and licks your fingers and you wonders why and what does it mean when Iguana licks?, it means the Iguana is in a calm state and is not stressed. It also shows that your pet is in a submissive mood and even it wishes to play with you.
How to react to iguana licking?
If you take your hand off while it approaches you, then it may seem that the iguana feels rejected. You must allow the reptile to lick or caress your finger or hand, as that will show your willingness and pleasure to enjoy its company. If you snatch your hand away, the iguana may feel that you are not interested in playing with it. That can send a repulsive signal to it. You can also use good quality iguana toys.
You should let it taste your hand without being afraid of biting your hand. It should feel that you are comfortable with its presence and are enjoying its company.
How does the licking feel?
For most of the owners, it does not feel very interesting when they are licked by their iguanas for the first time. It is not a much-known habit of the reptiles, other than an iguana, so the owners are not always preconceived of the idea.
There are certain differences among the owners regarding the feeling. Some said that their pet iguanas licked or even tried to bite. While the licking does not feel any different than the regular wet touch, the biting is near to painful.
Do iguanas bite someone else than their owners?
This is something very unusual for iguanas to try to lick or even come near other humans other than their owners.
They are not afraid of other humans though. But they do not enjoy the proximity of other human beings and also do not like to be petted by strangers while on walks. This distinctive quality separates them from dogs or cats.
When the iguana licks?
The curious part of iguana licking is that it will lick if it finds something new and interesting; it will try to lick it more than once to find if it is attacking back. When the iguana will see that the thing or creature is not attacking back or responding anyway, it will move on.
Also, it can get close to you at times, when it sees you staying in a place for a long time. It loves to be petted like any regular pet, but unlike cats or dogs, it does not like handling any time when its owner comes near it. If it wishes to be petted and enjoys proximity then it will come near you.
When it comes near you, it can stretch its head and rise in the air while standing tall on its hind legs. It will show that it likes to be near you. At this position, it will close both the eyes and may tilt its head towards you. This will show that it is in a very happy state.
What is signified by the licking?
Iguanas can lick your hand, or even the floor, or other things that come on their way. This is their way of getting used to things. So if you see them licking the floor or other objects of your hose, do not get warned. They can smell and taste different things to know if these are harmful or attacking to them or not.
The tongue of iguana is used to smell the air and the object around them. When you see them not licking anything that is new to them, you can assume that the iguana is tensed or getting afraid of the new object.
Also when you are trying to pet it but it is not licking you or getting stiff at your presence, the eye movement also will be non-responsive and it will make a hissing sound. This action shows that the iguana is in a tense condition. It is better to leave the creature on its own for the time being. If you pet it while seeing all these reactions, it may bite you or get aggressive.
Iguana also licks the owner, when it is put in some unfavorable condition and it submits to that situation. This is also a sign of their love and trust towards their owners. When shifted to any new place, they lick the surface and the objects as well as the walls to get accustomed to the new place.
Another example of their taking the tongue out is when it meets another iguana. When both or one of them is not in an attacking mood and wants to become friendly then it takes the tongue, but not licking or touching any object. This behavior is to express their calmness and surrender to other creatures or the owner.