Frightened Black Throat

[Dana C]

I bought a dog exercise pen, set it up in front and took Kinabo out thinking he would like it. Instead he went nuts! He hissed, tail whipped, gaped, you name it, he did it. He ran at the barrier, whipped at it until the nib of his tail was a little bloody. I was next to him all the time and every time I put my hand close to the pen, he hissed, gaped and whipped. Deciding that he hated it, I boldly picked him up which he was fine with. I took him back to his enclosure and he completely transformed. He was docile, even servile. He came to my hand and I stroked the top of his head and under his chin for quite a while as he had his eyes closed. It was like a lizard needing comfort and security from me, which is an amazing thing to experience.

I really think that living his first year in an enclosure, he became intensely afraid of the outdoors and being any environment that didn't have walls, hence his defensive / aggressive posturing. I am sure it wasn't me as he wanted my contact and comfort after he was back inside. In other words his was a fear of open spaces that I hadn't anticipated.

So much for the great outdoors. He may change as he gets older and grows more, becomes more brave etc. For now however he is an indoor guy.
I feel terrible that he got so stressed out but am grateful he didn't seem to hold it against me. Like I said, as soon as I had him safe in my arms he calmed down. I talked to him and I sensed that he truly saw me as a souce of comfort, security and safety hence his 180 and wanting to be next to me when I put him back.

I know some of you won't agree, but I feel blessed that I can have that kind of a trusting relationship with a very large lizard.