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#186352
ReptoDude
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Is an Iguana right for me? 
I currently own other reptiles which include, a bearded dragon, and a ball python. I have an empty 10x8 room when it gets older. Right now I have a 200 gallon. I have the supplies and care for an iggy. Is their any adive of what im getting into?
Mike
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11/21/04 7:53pm
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#186724
Hammer
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Message To: ReptoDude In reference to Message Id: 186352
Is an Iguana right for me?
Yes, don’t do it. Stop the madness and do not get an iguana. If you have a large room that you can dedicate to a reptile, get something, anything, but a stinkin’ iguana. What would I suggest? Well, how about a couple of frills? Maybe a monitor? If you’re ready for a challenge, what about a caimen? Anything but an iguana!
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11/22/04 8:22am
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#186725
Hammer
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Message To: ReptoDude In reference to Message Id: 186352
Is an Iguana right for me?
Yes, don’t do it. Stop the madness and do not get an iguana. If you have a large room that you can dedicate to a reptile, get something, anything, but a stinkin’ iguana. What would I suggest? Well, how about a couple of frills? Maybe a monitor? If you’re ready for a challenge, what about a caimen? Anything but an iguana!
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11/22/04 8:22am
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#186784
Leokeeper
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Message To: Hammer In reference to Message Id: 186725
Is an Iguana right for me?
Hammer if he wants one, and knows what hes getting inot then why should he not get one?, Let me be the first to say that they get huge(6 feets avrage but sometimes a bit larger) They come into season for a few months after they are 1/2 years old and are very aggressive at ths time, there food can get expensive as they need alot of vareity, they can do some sever damage with there calws/teeth when adult also so keep this in mind.
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11/22/04 11:35am
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#186789
Hammer
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Message To: Leokeeper In reference to Message Id: 186784
Is an Iguana right for me?
Leo...Aren’t you the one who just got an iguana like a week ago? No offense, but you’re still in the honeymoon phase of your care. I know you read a lot about them, but reading is no substitute for experience. He asked for an opinion, and I freely gave one. And I’m speaking from an iguana that was near 5 feet, not 5 inches.
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11/22/04 11:56am
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#186858
BURR
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Message To: Hammer In reference to Message Id: 186789
Is an Iguana right for me?
not to be an hammer but my neighbor is 42 and she has owned her iguana since she was 17 and she lives in an apartment with no cage for the iguana she just lets it roam around(full grown adult), plus when she calls its name the iguana turns to her. So i think the guy should get one.
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11/22/04 3:08pm
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#186886
D0llm0uth
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Message To: Hammer In reference to Message Id: 186789
Is an Iguana right for me?
Hammer, just because an iguana was not right for you doesn’t mean that they are not right for anyone else.
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11/22/04 3:52pm
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#187240
Cobra 82
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Message To: D0llm0uth In reference to Message Id: 186886
Is an Iguana right for me?
I have been around Iguanas for a long time and they make great pets for people that can stand there sometimes aggressive to very aggressive nature,size and special diet! 
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11/22/04 11:09pm
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#187274
Drugdude
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Message To: Leokeeper In reference to Message Id: 186784
Is an Iguana right for me?
Im sorry, I have to disagree with a couple thing here. First off, Iguanas dont average 6 feet. They average 4.5 to 5 feet. A six foot Iguana is larger than average. An iguana that is larger than six foot would be very rare. I have a 5.5 foot iguana and he is bigger than most I have seen. i had a 4.5 foot iguana that was full grown and he was even big. There is alot of false information out there about iguanas so be carefull. Second, I dont agree that a monitor is a better choice than an iguana. There are several breeds of monitor and some if not most are a bad choice for a first large liz. I think I know why it was said though, Iguanas are often bought as a cute little green critter, then sold, traded, neglected, or turned loose do to the size and requirements. If you are just starting out in the large lizard world, I would suggest a cuban iguana over the green. They are USUALY more gentle throughout there life. But as with any herp, I suggest that you start with a baby and give it all the attention you can. Good luck. 
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11/23/04 12:25am
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#187386
Hammer
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Message To: Drugdude In reference to Message Id: 187274
Is an Iguana right for me?
I suggested a monitor because I think they are much better than iguanas, if it’s the right monitor. I think savannahs are the equivalent of iguanas, in that they have proliferated every pet store and novice home in America. I personally do not like savannahs. I have a Nile but if I had to do it all over again, I’d go for a crocodile monitor. But back to the question…Iguanas are mean, aggressive and give the owners a false sense of security. They are very territorial and will claim their territory within a week or so, depending on the size. Once claimed, he’ll defend it when you enter. Granted, some iguanas can tolerate your presence, but most do not. Besides the razor-like bite, whipping tail and vicious claws, iguanas are always pooping that watery mix all over the place. So why monitors? There is no false sense of security with a monitor. They are muscular predators and you know that. But even as predators, they tend “not” to attack like iguanas, a vegetarian. There are arboreal monitors that would utilize the space and make much more interesting “pets.” My Nile is, of course, not arboreal per se, but I still prefer his fierce temperament over the aggressive nature of the iguana. There are a number of good monitors that I think would make great “pets,” but a savannah is not one of them. A Nile is not a good choice either, but I like mine. Black throats, waters, etc are good, in my opinion.A Cuban iguana is no less of a challenge than a monitor in my opinion. To illustrate my point, I have alligators (each about four feet now), a Nile, many, many venomous snakes, frills and had an iguana. I handle all of the animals, and the only time I ever “bled” was when I went near the iguana. The only animal that has sliced me, bit me, whipped me and clawed me has been the iguana. The alligators are ten times easier to handle than the stupid iguana. The Nile is tough, and he can inflict some damage, but so far, no problem. I just think that a rare success story with an iguana is not enough to encourage someone to go out and get one. He has a nice room and can acquire so many better and more rewarding reptiles than an iguana.
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11/23/04 6:31am
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#187427
Iluviggy
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Message To: Hammer In reference to Message Id: 187386
Is an Iguana right for me?
i have an ig who will be 3 in march. i love him to pieces, and wouldn’t trade him in for the world. however, i have to agree w/ Hammer’s description of the iguana and that they really don’t make good "pets". especially when you consider the fact that most of us acquire a pet for companionship1 my ig was pretty friendly until about a few months ago. now, it’s near impossible for me to pick him up w/ out getting scratched or whipped, and he is very protective of his cage. there are some times when he’s more tolerant of me, but he’s mostly a grouch, which i’ve come to accept.
if you want an iguana as a pet, you’ve got to be willing to deal w/ these personality traits, since this is the natural temperament of an igg. i handle mine as much as possible, feed him a very good diet and take the best care of him that i can, and get no appreciation for it! lol.. but i still love him just the same
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11/23/04 10:55am
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#187512
D0llm0uth
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Message To: Hammer In reference to Message Id: 187386
Is an Iguana right for me?
Ditto to what I said before.
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11/23/04 2:41pm
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#187520
BURR
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Message To: D0llm0uth In reference to Message Id: 187512
Is an Iguana right for me?
I think someones mad because the iguana dont like him.
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11/23/04 2:58pm
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#187560
Drugdude
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Message To: Hammer In reference to Message Id: 187386
Is an Iguana right for me?
Im sorry you have had these problems with iguanas. I have dealt with several iguanas through out my time and have only ran into this problem 1 time. I ordered a 4 foot male through the net and got a 4 foot monster. I have also ordered black throats, savannahs, niles, mangroves, waters etc. and have had trouble with just about every breed. I have had bad and good luck with all sorts of lizards. You say you cant trust an iguana so its a bad pet, and you say you cant trust monitors but they are better pets, I guess I’m confused. You say that people know to respect a monitor, but tend to trust an iguana, again I’m confused. If you are dealing with a large lizard of any kind you need to be carefull and never trust it completely no matter how tame it may appear. So you say that MOST iguanas dont tolerate humans, I’d say you must have accidentaly typed MOST. If you read all the iguana forums on this site as well as others sites you will see that MOST iguanas, when raised properly, are handalable if not tame. I do not speak from experience with just 1 iguana, but experience with multiple iguanas of all sizes and breeds. I hope before you try to detour some one else from getting an iguana, you do some research first instead of just using your bad experience as an example. As far as iguanas being territorial, yes they can be, just like most other reptiles, humans, dogs, cats or any other living creature. And I stick by my previous post about cubans being easier to handle/tame than greens.
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11/23/04 4:33pm
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#187711
Hammer
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Message To: BURR In reference to Message Id: 187520
Is an Iguana right for me?
Hey Burr... I never, ever said I don’t like iguanas. I said they make poor "pet’s" and I discourage anyone from getting one unless they know exactly what they’re getting into. I didn’t like mine, but I took very good care of it. If I lived in Florida and could keep it outside all year, I could see getting one, but not anywhere north where it gets cold and you have to house it insdie. I’m not angry at the iguana in the least, I’m just glad it went to a better home that I could give it. It’s the same thing I wish for all iguanas.
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11/23/04 7:44pm
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#189630
Dr.reptile
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Message To: ReptoDude In reference to Message Id: 186352
 Is an Iguana right for me?
If you have the time to properly care for it you can get it but if you dont dont get it!!! your decision!!!
Good luck,
Dr.reptile
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11/27/04 2:32pm
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