Sexual Maturity and Aggressive Behavior in Parrots and Iguanas

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Sexual Maturity and Aggressive Behavior in
Parrots and Iguanas

• Michael King and Laura Klar

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When is my parrot sexually mature?

• Can range from 2 ½ to 5 years of age depending on
  the breed.

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Why the aggression?

• It comes down to normal behavior
• Acting on impulses

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When to expect this type of behavior

• When removing the bird from its cage or any area
  it regards as its alone
• When strangers or disliked family members
  approach while the bird is with its favorite
  person displaced aggression
• When someone regarded with less authority is
  handling the bird

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Removing the bird from the cage

• Prepared owners will expect to be bitten
• Always follow through and never back down
• Be consistent
• If necessary, use a towel or a stick to safely
  obtain the bird

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Displaced Aggression

• Generally a result of exclusively bonding to one
  individual
• Will try and bite owner when others enter the
  room
• This relationship will intensify during sexual
  maturity

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A question of authority

• Spouses usually fall victim to this
• Try and let the bird and the disliked person work
  it out
• Taking the bird out of the situation may only
  reinforce the behavior
• If necessary, the favored person can act as
  disciplinarian

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Avoid increasing sexual behavior

• May inadvertently increase sexual behavior with
  physical affection
• Avoid petting under the wing, pulling on the
  tail, encompassing the body, touching near the
  vent or beak wrestling

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Set yourself up for success

• Establish good behavior patterns early in life
• Consistency is key
• Dont back down
• Be willing to accept some distance during the
  breeding season
• Dont place yourself in compromising positions

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a compromising position ?
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Pharmaceutical treatment

• Lupron (luprolide acetate) human GNRH analogue
  expensive as hell 3 injections once every 2
  weeks very effective. Used for chronic egg
  laying, ovavian cysts and feather picking
• Haldol antipsychotic leads to a very sedate
  bird
• Prozac TCA again, very sedate

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Surgical Treatment

• Salpingohysterectomy removal of the uterus and
  the oviduct
• Commonly indicated to alleviate pathologic egg
  laying
• Castration this is still a very risky procedure
  with a low post surgical survival rate

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Reptile Behavior

• Besides husbandry, one of the most important
  aspects of client education
• Understanding enhances the human animal bond
• Important when handling animals for treatments

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Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana)

• Common, inexpensive
• Can be challenging to own - not a great first
  reptile to recommend for a novice owner
• Lifespan gt 12 years
• Large - up to 6.5 feet
• Now living long enough to reach sexual maturity
  seeing behavioral issues in males

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Iguana Communication

• Posture
• Movement Gait
• head bob
• dewlap movement
• lateral torso compression
• Use of three-dimensional space
• placement in enclosure
• seeking height or flattening out

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Defensive Aggression

• May exhibit if threatened
• Stand sideways to the threat
• Swallow air to increase their size
• Stand high off the ground to look larger
• Lash at the threat w/tail
• May gape or bite if provoked

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Offensive Aggression

• Less common
• Usually involves sexually mature males during
  mating season (Dec. - March)
• Now living long enough to reach sexual maturity
• 1.5 - 6 yrs dep.on husbandry
• sudden change in behavior or color
• investigate medical cause but be suspicious if
  male

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Offensive Aggression

• May attack anyone entering their territory
  attempt to bite - cage confinement?
• Wearing certain colors may provoke attacks
• Female owners menstruation/ovulation -
  pheromones?

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Offensive Aggression

• Males may try to mate (display mating behaviors,
  including bites) with female owners
• May see other human males as competition

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Offensive Aggression

• Neutering does not completely resolve this
  problem
• Research continues in this area - identify causes
  besides testosterone
• Photoperiod? Variation from diurnal schedule?
  Too small enclosure? etc.

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What to do?

• Towels, stuffed lizards, toys towards which to
  direct their sexual aggression
• Always be aware alert
• Bites - wave alcohol-soaked gauze in front of
  nose. Cover head with towel - may relax let go
• Negative reinforcement

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Non-breeding Aggression

• Does occur
• May involve a male lizard being dominant over its
  human owners
• Prevent by proper handling and interaction

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Iguana Body Language Dewlap

• Fully tucked up under chin, relaxed floppy
  non-aggressive
• Rigidly extended /- sideways presentation of
  body threatening.

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Iguana Body Language Head Bobbing

• Several meanings?
• Warning
• Visual equivalent of scent-marking?
• Territoriality?
• Greeting?

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Iguana Body Language Hissing

• Low, guttural click
• Mouth wide open, tongue arched
• Body in full compression
• Dewlap flared
• Last straw warning!
• Careful - shhh sound may be interpreted as an
  offensive hiss

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Iguana Body Language Open Mouth

• Fully open mouth, pink-red color (engorged),
  tongue up out anti-predator
• Body tensed, mouth only slightly open
  aggressive or dominance - NOT a smile.
• Differentiate from dyspnea over-heating

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Summary - Clients

• Be aware of challenges of ownership - educated,
  informed decision to buy an iguana
• Protect themselves
• Enhance the human-animal bond by better
  understanding their pet

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Summary - Veterinarians

• Education of clients
• Protect yourself when handling and treating these
  patients
• Owning reptiles yourself

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Alternatives for novice clients?

• Bearded dragons!
• Pogona spp., native to Australia
• Smaller (males up to 2 feet)
• Lifespan 5-12 ? years
• Excellent temperament
• Docile, easily handled
• Aware, social, responsive

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Alternatives for novice clients?

• Leopard Geckos
• Smaller can keep in 10 gallon tank
• Beautiful lots of color variation
• Easier husbandry no veggies, no UV
• Great personalities

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References

• Cogger, H.G. and R.G. Sweifel. 1998.
  Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians.
  Academic Press, CA.
• Grenard, S. 1999. An Owners Guide to the
  Bearded Dragon. Howell Book House, NY.
• Mader, D.R. 1996. Reptile Medicine and Surgery.
  W.B. Saunders Co. PN.
• Zoffer, D. and T. Mazorlig. 1997. The Guide to
  Owning a Bearded Dragon. T.F.H. Publications,
  Inc. NJ.
• http//www.anapsid.org/
• www.reptilecare.com

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Thank You! Questions?