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#191966
AJewell
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 Rescued Iguana
Hello,
I need a little help. I’ll try to make this short but you’ll need to know the back of this Iguana.
My sister called me yesterday wanting help finding a baby Iguana for her husband as a gift for Christmas (He had one years ago, he loves them!) I called a local fish & reptile store here in my area. I was told that they do not order Iguana at Christmas. I was asked, "would your sister consider an older Iguana instead of a baby?" I hoped that she would and said "Yeah, I think so." The young man began to tell me about a 3’ Iguana that some landscapers found a few weeks ago, half froze to death! No one has reported a lost Iguana & he needs to find a home for it. I called my sister & she said she would love to help this poor baby. So now I have this little guest until Friday.
I went on line to a web site about the care of Iguanas for information.
I got her a 75 gal. tank, heat lamps for day & night. A pan large enough for it’s whole body (well, not the tail,that thing 2’ long...lol) Rep-Cal & Vit supp. , & food (turnip greens, squash, turnip, green pepper, & fruit (pear, grapes, banannas) I even made a booklet for My brother-in-law with the info. I found on line. (feeding, groom,first-aid, even a how-to-make your own rain forest guide).
The Iguana is some what ill-tempered, I guess that’s to be expected after what it’s been through. After I fed it yesterday evening (And MAN! did that baby EAT! The greens were gone in no time) I put my hand in the tank & softly rubbed it’sr side, feeling brave, I picked it up. It fell asleep on my arm while I rubbed it’s head. This morning I couldn’t even get the pan of fresh water back into it’s tank. (I took it out last night because it was sleeping in the pan, I wasn’t sure if that is normal or not. I was afraid of body temp. dropping or something.) It’s whipping that tail & snapping & hissing. It’s also digging the bedding at one end of the tank, like it’s clearing a spot or something. What do I do? Is this normal behavior or something else?
I would LOVE any help or advise.Now my family is wanting an Iguana too!...lol Thank you for your time,
AJewell
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12/01/04 6:21pm
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#192039
Xta
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Message To: AJewell In reference to Message Id: 191966
Rescued Iguana
He is freaked out. Hopefully he will tame, but if he was wild for a long time, I don’t know if he will. You need a UVB (expensive) light and a heat bulb. Take a fresh stool sample to the vet to check for parasites. Time is the only thing that will tame him...and visit him often for short periods at first, talk softly. Good luck. Don’ t get an iguana for yourself just yet. Wait and see how this goes for the next couple months. Your sister might not want him by then and you can have him. Iguanas are throw away pets because they are aggressive, need 6ft. enclosures (take up so much room) and don’t make great pets. If you do get one, please adopt one that needs a home. Not all the adoptees are wild like that one. Check out a rescue.
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12/01/04 8:04pm
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#192072
AJewell
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Message To: Xta In reference to Message Id: 192039
Rescued Iguana
Thank you. I will take your advise. I was able to rub her & hold her for a few min. She’s going to need a lot of tlc. I think at one time she was use to being held. When I rub her she’ll just close her eyes & seems to really enjoy it. But the next time I try to rub her she hisses & whips the tail...lol. if she were a male I’d call her Cowboy..lol. What about the digging & laying in the pan of water? Is that normal?
I agree with you completely, If I would ever get an Iguana, it would be one that needs a good home. I would adopt one but only after building a great enclosuer for it. I have a sugar glider, a ferret, a dog, & salt water aquarium. We love animals & understand exotic animals have very special needs. The young man who had the Iguana said it would not surprize him at all if someone has released this Iguana. He said that would explain why no one was looking for her. I could hardly believe that some one would do such a thing.
Well, she’ll have a wonderful home now! I know it!
Where do I get the UVB light. I have the heat bulb. (do I keep that on all night?) I read they like it dark at night (no light) ? Is that what the red heat bulb is for?
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12/01/04 8:48pm
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#192617
Xta
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Message To: AJewell In reference to Message Id: 192072
Rescued Iguana
You can use a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) for the night time. It lasts a long time (gives off heat, fits in a regular socket, and gives no light).You have your choice btw. flourescent UVB lights which have to be changed every 6 months, are cheaper, and are reliable OR Mercury Vapor bulbs which last 1 year, are more expensive, and do have a higher failure rate. They give off much more UV which is one major benefit, although I have had a lot die on me. They usually have some kind of warranty. So far I like the Zoomed Powersun better although my new one just blew out (my old one still works) and they are sending me a new one. I have used Zoomed Iguana 5.0 lights in the past (flourescents). The choice is yours. Some places you can look online are:
LLLreptile.com
herpsupplies.com
petguys.com
bigappleherp.com Getting these things online is much cheaper. Digging in the water is normal. Mine does that and did it more when he was young and terrified. When they close there eyes, they usually are afraid or trying to ignore you. Judging from the other behavior yours exhibits I would lean toward that being the reason. Although they can close their eyes for pleasure, it is much more common for them to do it for other reasons. I’ve had mine for years and he is very tame, but he still closes his eyes to ignore me and wish I would go away. They’ll do this if you offer food sometimes. They are something else! Good luck. It will be hard work but it sounds like you might be ready for the challenge.
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12/02/04 9:38pm
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#194979
Prehistoric Iguana
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Message To: Xta In reference to Message Id: 192039
Rescued Iguana
My iguana is agresive like that too. You just need to keep holding him until he learns being aggresive gets him nowhere. Of course, it will take time for him to tame, especially since he is already big.
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12/06/04 8:59pm
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