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[[Image:Lizard_anole.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Defensive behaviour in an anole''' (© RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
Lizards tend to be bright, alert and responsive. Captive-born ones will tolerate handling and appear to become tame. Wild-caught lizards are often shy, wary and try to escape at the slightest disturbance.
Lizards tend to be bright, alert and responsive. Captive-born ones will tolerate handling and appear to become tame. Wild-caught lizards are often shy, wary and try to escape at the slightest disturbance.
They stand sideways to the threat, swallow air to increase their size, stand high off the ground to look bigger and lash at the threat with their tails. Some lizards may display head bobbing and push-ups or gape and threaten to bite.
They stand sideways to the threat, swallow air to increase their size, stand high off the ground to look bigger and lash at the threat with their tails. Some lizards may display head bobbing and push-ups or gape and threaten to bite.
==Aggressive behaviour==
==Aggressive behaviour==
Offensive aggression is rare and usually involves sexually mature iguana males during their breeding season from December to March in the northern hemisphere. They may attack anything entering their territory and attempt to bite them. It is recommended that these lizards be confined to their cage during this time.
Offensive aggression is rare and usually involves sexually mature iguana males during their breeding season from December to March in the northern hemisphere. They may attack anything entering their territory and attempt to bite them. It is recommended that these lizards be confined to their cage during this time.
'''Owner-directed aggression'''
'''Owner-directed aggression'''
Castration for males is possible but it is unknown if this directly leads to a decrease in aggression. Its effect may not be seen until the following breeding season. Castration before puberty may be more effective in controlling potential aggression. Seasonal aggression may be worse at puberty and gradually decrease afterwards.
Castration for males is possible but it is unknown if this directly leads to a decrease in aggression. Its effect may not be seen until the following breeding season. Castration before puberty may be more effective in controlling potential aggression. Seasonal aggression may be worse at puberty and gradually decrease afterwards.
==Dominance==
==Dominance==
When several lizards are housed together aggression and dominance is not always overtly physical since actual fighting may not occur. Subtle behaviour by the dominant lizard may result in the subordinate staying away from basking areas and food and slowly dying of stress-enhanced hypothermia and starvation.
When several lizards are housed together aggression and dominance is not always overtly physical since actual fighting may not occur. Subtle behaviour by the dominant lizard may result in the subordinate staying away from basking areas and food and slowly dying of stress-enhanced hypothermia and starvation.