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 #96992


Littleiggy
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 Lowdown on iguana’s

my mom wants to know a few things about iggs,
1. if they sprey when they pee
2. what size cage i need to build (not make into a closet space)
3. how much time i should spend with rexanna (i found out that rex is a girl so i named it rexanna! !)
4. how big female iggs get only body.
5. how often they go to the bathroom and how big no pics!!!
6. post your cages please!
7. what i should put at the bottem of its cage (i got this dirt substitute, whould that be good, you soke it in water and it expands.)

thanks!

liliggy



07/08/04  3:15pm
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 #97088


LizardKing
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 96992


 Lowdown on iguana’s

shouldn’t you know the anwsers to things like how big a female will get, and what size cage it needs, before you buy the iguana?



07/08/04  6:55pm
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 #97107


Littleiggy
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  Message To: LizardKing   In reference to Message Id: 97088


 Lowdown on iguana’s

i know, my mom wont listen she needs someone elses word



07/08/04  7:26pm
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 #97152


Xta
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 97107


 Lowdown on iguana’s

Use newspaper or paper on the bottom. Don’t use any dirt or ground cover stuff (they will lick it/eat it and will get impacted).

She will get 5-6 feet with tail. It doesn’t matter how big without because you need to account for the tail as well...the top gets thick enough to count as part of their overall size so they cannot move if you have them in a cage too small.

What do you mean spray? Like a cat? Or does she mean pee all over the place? They don’t spray like a cat but they pee with a bunch of force and a lot of it. Their poop is about the size of a small dog or cat when they get big....only much messier. They go to the bathroom 1-2x a day on average.

You need a very large cage...as big as you can make it...a 6ft cube would be great but most people don’t have the space for that so make sure you keep the height and length as close to that as you can. The width needs to be 3-4 ft at least.



07/08/04  9:21pm
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 #97350


Patrick7564
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  Message To: Xta   In reference to Message Id: 97152


 Lowdown on iguana’s

I Second that post Xta



07/09/04  9:23am
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 #97856


Littleiggy
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  Message To: Patrick7564   In reference to Message Id: 97350


 Lowdown on iguana’s

what should i make the cage out of? thats what also my mom wants to know



07/10/04  2:14pm
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 #97870


Xta
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 97856


 Lowdown on iguana’s

You can use many different things. Some use wood (no cedar or pine), some use wire (rubber coated is easier on their face but hardware cloth can be used), and some use melamine and plexiglass (that is what I used) but it is heavy and not as cheap to make.



07/10/04  2:40pm
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 #97934


Littleiggy
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  Message To: Xta   In reference to Message Id: 97870


 Lowdown on iguana’s

thank u xta, i was thinking of a cage half of plexi glass (bottem) and on the top is plastic coated wire. can that work?



07/10/04  7:05pm
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 #98205


Xta
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 97934


 Lowdown on iguana’s

The top you’d probably want to use hardware cloth (if you are putting your lights on it) so it won’t melt.



07/11/04  3:15pm
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 #98523


Hammer
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  Message To: Xta   In reference to Message Id: 98205


 Lowdown on iguana’s

Put your mother on here so I can talk to her directly. An iguana is not for you. It’s a big, messy, aggressive animal. It will poop all over the place and when it does, it’s a huge mess because it comes out very watery then the fecal material follows. And once he decides to let go in one place, he’ll do it again every time he has a chance, so if he poops on your carpet, he’ll alwys poop in that spot every time he gets to it again...

An iguana is not a "pet" for a child. It will require a very large space, preferably in your own home. A "cage" is good for the first year or so, then a natural enclosure is needed.

Temperment...My alligator is easier to handle than the iguana. The iguana is very ill tempered and, did I mention he’ll poop all over the house?

Get an anole and wait until you get out of college and settle into your own house before sticking your mother with your iguana when you decide to move on and out. You’re doing a major disservice to your mother. It’s not a year ot two ordeal with an iguana; they live forever, regardless what the literature says.



07/12/04  6:35am
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 #98846


Xta
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  Message To: Hammer   In reference to Message Id: 98523


 Lowdown on iguana’s

I do agree that they are not a great pet if you are young. Once you are out on your own and know you are stable and settled down, that is a better time to get one. You mom has to realize a lot of the care will fall to her more than likely. Have you thought about a bearded dragon instead? They make better pets, don’t take up quite as much space, and are very friendly.



07/12/04  5:59pm
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 #99747


Littleiggy
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  Message To: Xta   In reference to Message Id: 98846


 Lowdown on iguana’s

hammer, shut up, i know what it needs and i can give it my mom is so picky! my igg is really nice when i play/ hold it. it is the right pet for me because in school i am known as the insane iguana lover.

xta- i cant get a bearded dragon because my mom had friends that had 2 and did not clean them (cage) or handle them and they were mean and smelly, so she is afraid of them.

And i told her she doesnt have to even see Rexanna if she doesn’t want to.



07/14/04  10:15am
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 #99770


Hammer
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 99747


 Lowdown on iguana’s

This will be little iggy in a year or so:
"For some reason, im not sure why my iguana seems to really hate me, i put him outside sometimes, and when i hold him he lunges at my face trying to bite me, i feed him everyday, he has a really big cage where a can climb and walk around in. Why is he so agressive? plz help me, i love this pet but it gets harder to handle him all the time. What should i do?"

Mark my words, I see it coming... If Mom doesn’t wise up first.



07/14/04  11:17am
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 #99828


LizardKing
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 99747


 Lowdown on iguana’s

"it is the right pet for me because in school i am known as the insane iguana lover" glad to see you have your priorities straight for the care of a pretty difficult species to keep. feeding and housing it properly may be a little more important then being known as an "insane iguana lover". also just remember that they can moody and will not always tolerate your holding and "playing" with it. i’m just curious, but how old are you exactly? it does kind of sound like your mom is going to have to suffer responsibilities she obviously doesn’t want eventually.



07/14/04  12:49pm
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 #101774


Iluviggy
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  Message To: LizardKing   In reference to Message Id: 99828


 Lowdown on iguana’s

in defense of hammer’s rsponse, i must ask, if you really were prepared to care for an ig, why would you have posted us those questions that your mom asked? unless she doesn’t believe you and wants us to answer as back-up... in that case i am sure we are all flattered. but seriously, i think what everyone means to say is that a lot of people get an ig w/ out really6 researching it or knowing what it will amount to.
it is an extreme responsibility for me, and i am 25 years old. if i were a teenager or younger, i definitely could not handle it. please consider this before getting one.



07/18/04  1:59am
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 #102286


Pedder46
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  Message To: Iluviggy   In reference to Message Id: 101774


 Lowdown on iguana’s

EVERY1 SHUTUP SHE SAID HER MOM WANTED TO KNOW NOT HER SO SHUTUP GOD ITS SO ANNOYING ESPECIALLY U HAMMER ALOT OF PPL NEED HELP BUT THEN U PREDICT WATS GONNA HAPPEN THATS STOOPID the only thing i want to know is y u said wat size cage it needs if u already hav it in a cage



07/18/04  11:08pm
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 #102734


LizardKing
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  Message To: Pedder46   In reference to Message Id: 102286


 Lowdown on iguana’s

pedder46 please leave you say the stupidest stuff on all the forums. stuff that has no revelance, posting all kinds of pictures that are scanned in from national geographic, and you told a few lies in the venomous forum. its just annoying.



07/19/04  1:40pm
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 #105723


Pedder46
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  Message To: LizardKing   In reference to Message Id: 102734


 Lowdown on iguana’s

well actually i dont say stupid stuff i was tellin u wat her mom said and u guys dont even know how to read and get it thru ur head



07/23/04  3:06pm
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 #106096


Castiliana
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  Message To: Pedder46   In reference to Message Id: 105723


 Lowdown on iguana’s

Anyway back to the questions.
#1 go to the library and order the booked called "Green Iguana Ultimate Owners Manual" by James W. Hatfield III most good libraries can order it from other places for you, better yet buy it if you can, it is a GREAT reference on green iguanas, 600 pages that cover allmost everything you need to know and printed proof for your mom.

As for your questions, I didn’t feel like sorting out the good posts from the sarcasm up there so here they are:
1. if they sprey when they pee-
Iguanas pee and poo at the same time and it can get messy, more of a big runny puddle of pee than a spray but a runny puddle still makes a mess when running off a shelf or basking branch. They can be trained to use a water pan fairly easily, or give her daily baths, often times the bath water will stimulate a poo responce. Be prepared to do daily cleanup though or your iguana just may "poopie paint" the entire habitat with her claws and tail.


2. what size cage i need to build (not make into a closet space)
a juvinile iguana needs a cage aprox 4 feet long by 2 feet deep and 2-4 feet tall. An adult iguana if kept in a cage needs a habitat at least 6 feet long, 4-6 feet deep and 6-8 feet tall if you want her to be very comfortable.


3. how much time i should spend with rexanna (i found out that rex is a girl so i named it rexanna! !)
Idealy you should handle her daily if not a couple times a day. Also provide some type of visual stimulation if you can, iguanas see in colour (in fact they see more colours than we do) and love to watch subtle movements like fish in a fish tank or cartoons on TV.

4. how big female iggs get only body.
an adult iguana gets to be 5-6 feet and 12-20 pounds give or take thier tails should be taken into consideration since they are very thick and powerful (an adult iguana can break the leg of a cat or small dog with a well placed tail whip) Green iguanas can also live 15-25 years in captivity with the proper care

5. how often they go to the bathroom and how big no pics!!!
An iguana will usually go 1-2 times a day (hatchlings and juviniles sometimes more often) as far as size goes, trust me you want to train her to go in a large pan of water (like a dish pan or plastic storage tub)or similar. Her poo will be similar in size to a small dog (ie: pug, boston terrier etc) and add up to a cup or more of liquid at the same time that can run everywhere.

6. post your cages please!

Our cages are made from cabinet grade plywood (maple/birch) and coated hardware cloth. A box cage 4 feet wide 2 feet tall and 2 feet deep with wire mesh on top for heat lamps and shelves/branches for basking and climbing works well for smaller iguanas (adults need something much larger) Other options are to convert an entire small bedroom or a large closet into a habitat, using linoleum flooring in the bottom and a wire separation between the heat/UVB lamps and the living area. Remember that a small habitat will not keep your iguana from growing, but it will make it stressed, uncomfortable and eventually sick.


7. what i should put at the bottem of its cage (i got this dirt substitute, whould that be good, you soke it in water and it expands.)

You should not use any particulate (little pieces) substrates because as someone mentioned, it can get eaten and cause a blockage of the intestines. Your best bet is something easy to clean- newspaper topped with paper towels or we personally use regular old bath towels for our 4 iguanas, they are easy to change, rinse off, then toss in the washer with some bleach they also give the iguanas a good surface to "wipe" on which they will do after going to the bathroom. The exception to this is when she gets older and mature (3-4 years) you have to provide her with a nesting box to lay her eggs in or she can become egg bound and can die without surgery.

Don’t forget to read/buy that book!!



07/24/04  4:14am
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 #106469


Maddgoat
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  Message To: Castiliana   In reference to Message Id: 106096


 Lowdown on iguana’s

The only thing I wanted to say is that the book "Green Iguana Ultimate Owners Manual" by James W. Hatfield’ is awesome.
With a little help and information from here or there, I think you’ll do just fine. Good luck with Rexanna, Littleiggy!



07/25/04  2:24am
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 #106530


Patrick7564
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  Message To: Maddgoat   In reference to Message Id: 106469


 Lowdown on iguana’s

I Agree With that the Green Iguana Ultimate Owners Manual, Iguanas For Dummies Are Great Reading Guides For First time Iggy owners!! I have Both books on top of many more and I love Reading them over and over again.....



07/25/04  10:16am
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 #106534


Xta
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  Message To: Maddgoat   In reference to Message Id: 106469


 Lowdown on iguana’s

I love Hatfield’s book too.



07/25/04  10:35am
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 #106543


Patrick7564
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  Message To: Xta   In reference to Message Id: 106534


 Lowdown on iguana’s

Hey Xta

Yes it is a big book but well worth the read !!!!Patrick’s Iguana Site

Hey Check out the Web Site I Made



07/25/04  10:56am
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 #106578


Xta
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  Message To: Patrick7564   In reference to Message Id: 106543


 Lowdown on iguana’s

Patrick...I’ve gone to it before (now that I see it again, I remember). Some of your photos aren’t showing up though.



07/25/04  12:58pm
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 #106818


Patrick7564
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  Message To: Xta   In reference to Message Id: 106578


 Lowdown on iguana’s

I believe I fixed that LOL!!! I had that problem to Maybe I should pay for it so I can B@tch LOL!!!!!



07/25/04  10:19pm
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 #138450


Kris503
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 96992


 Lowdown on iguana’s

hello i have not had my iguana for very long but i have done a lot of research and i feel i can answer a cuople of your questions they do not spray when they pee but the do exhale salt minerals through their nostrils so if you have a glass aquarium you will notice it will get a little misty so you need to keep it clean second iguanas grow to reach almost 6ft long giving them adament space is required! it sounds like you have a female and females dont get as large as the males but they need room to you also need to provide them with an area to lay eggs females will lay egg whether they have mated or not and if they dont have proper place to lay there eggs they will go into egg binding and the eggs will have to be surgically removed you can prevent this if you dont want her to have babbies you can have her spayed my iguana is yuong and i am building a 2’by 4’ cage for young ones you do not want to make a large cage because it will make the taming process a lot harder by giving them enough space to run and hide from you as they grow you will have to make the cage bigger i suggest you just make adjustments on the one you have as she grows and add on like you would a hamster cage by the time she is a year old if she isnt already she will have doubled in size and almost tripled by three years. if you want your iguana to grow up nice and friendly you should spend a lot of time handling them every day my friend has an adult female iguana and because ahe was not handled much she is mean and whips with her tail and bites my iguana used to always bite me when i went to handle her but she doesnt anymore its a gradual process they will stop when they know you are of no threat when they are young the bites do no hurt but as they get older a bite could result in scars and stitches so it is important to spend a lot of time with them when they are young so they dont carry the habits like a dog it is harder to teach them a new trick when their old then when their young. their is no direct size as to a female but like i stated before they do not get as big as the male but it has happened so dont be surprised if she does but i would say about 5 feet or more. they should go to the bathroom about once a day if they dont there is no cause for alarm but make sure they do the next day if they dont call a vet that specializes in reptiles there should be a list on a web site if you look i suggest greeniguanasociety.com and see if you can take her in to get checked out . not to be disgusting but they usually poop like birds it isnt big for juveniles and they usually do it in water so you need to clean out their water dish every day because they carry the bacterium salmonella in their gastric intestine when you handle you iguana you need to wash your hands! so you dont contract the disease or spread it and do not kiss them (kids usually do it so just a warning). you can usually buy reptile bark at a pet store that is specially made for reptiles anything can be put at the bottom as long as it is small enough to be swallowed and go through or big enough it cant be swallowed at all also heat and uv rays are essential for vitamin d and for digestion you might notice the lizard will get sluggish in the cold keep her warm to prevent illness i hope this has helped you and i wish you the best of luck with you new friend take good care of her and i hope to talk to you again you can email me if you have anymore questions its emily_16503@yahoo.com ok good luck talk to you later bye kris



09/07/04  8:37pm
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 #140316


Laura1234
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  Message To: Iluviggy   In reference to Message Id: 101774


 Lowdown on iguana’s

Hi everyone. My teen brought home an iguana 3 years ago without my approval and lost interest in less than two weeks. I began to research everything I could find on the internet in regards to "his" care. My darling Jack has grown from 6 inches to 42 inches and is now 8 inches around at her largest spot. (I discovered that Jack is really a Jackie) Jack lives in an 8ft x 6ft x 3ft cage. Anyhow, I appreciate all of the wonderful advice that comes across. Jack is a success story. I hope your mom is able to care for yours as well!



09/11/04  9:18am
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 #140317


Markay
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  Message To: Laura1234   In reference to Message Id: 140316


 Lowdown on iguana’s

ok ok ok...thats very insulting..ive seen this kid..his set up and how well he cares for his iguana..you have no idea so untill you do..shut ur mouth..hes capable of caring for his iguana without his mother..
~|M|~



09/11/04  9:25am
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 #140468


Littleiggy
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  Message To: Markay   In reference to Message Id: 140317


 Lowdown on iguana’s

ok ok ok....u all imbarras me and i think i should give me an im sorry! thanks for stickin up for [Please insert your text here]me Markay i am gettin a HUGE CAGE!! so get off of my back sayin things like "i hope your mom can care for yours as well" kind of crap. my igg has been really happy with me and the way i care for her she has grown alot since i got her... SO SHUT UP!!



09/11/04  6:59pm
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 #141025


Iluviggy
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  Message To: Littleiggy   In reference to Message Id: 140468


 Lowdown on iguana’s

there is a post above(long one) from "Kris" that has some good advice, but there’s one thing i disagree w/. you should not compromise an iguana’s health or sense of security in favor of "taming" a wild animal. providing it w/ a smaller enclosure where it can’t hide? this will not produce a "tamer" iguana, it will only cause it to fear you and lose trust. all ig cages should provide a hiding space. people need to realize that iguana aren’t tameable.
they are cold blooded reptiles and we should respect that instead of trying to change their true nature. of course you want to be able to pick him up, and enjoy his company, or else, why buy one? but just remember that there is no such thing as an iguana who is tame, or one that cuddles. if it appears that they are cuddling you, or like being hugged, it’s usually when they’re cold, and want your body heat. they can be friendly one minute, grouchy and mean the next.god knows mine has multiple personalities! it’s nothing personal, just their nature!
they can still be loveable and fun,as long as you respect their limits.



09/12/04  5:58pm
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