Re: NIAD members from NJ need to do something about the "Boardwalk" ASAP nm

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Posted by NJ NIAD Coordinator on September 03, 1999 at 08:42:10:

In Reply to: NIAD members from NJ need to do something about the "Boardwalk" ASAP nm posted by Harry's Dad on August 29, 1999 at 19:02:06:

: : I was recently on vacation in Wildwood, NJ and was talked into an iguana by a fast talking Boardwalk salesman. If i were home, I probably would have never got it, but my 7 yr old daughter really liked it so I got it, Not knowing what kind of committment it would be when I got it home, I say it because I don't know if it's a girl or boy yet, it's 4-5 months old & I went to a local pet store & got a book about green iguanas(mine's green so I assume it is a green iguana)
: : anyway, I got a heat lamp & I already had an old 30 gallon fish tank, so I set Buddy up (that's what I call it,I think it's a male because it has light blue markings near it's head & mouth & I do know males of all animals are usually more colorful than females, I could be wrong, though) what I really want to know is:
: : How can I tell if it's happy or upset? I know that it will lash it's tail from my iguana book, & he's done that a few times, I also saw somewhere that they hiss, if he's done that, I haven't heard it, I know when my cat is mad, his ears are back & he purrs when he is happy, but the iguana has no warning signs that I know of, and I really want to know how to tell if it's happy.
: : I hold it every day 2-3 times for about 15-20 minutes, the book said handling will help tp tame, I don't let my daughter handle it because she will be too rough
: : I also want to know how often I should feed it, I have recently started to feed him when I handle him, I don't know if that is good or bad, He eats out of my fingers & I think he is to the point of expecting food every time I pick him up, He is gaining weight & almost has a fat belly,I don't want to over-feed him, but he acts hungry. Will Iguanas eat themselves to death like some fish will, or do they stop eating when full? I don't want to harm him at all
: : I am trying my best to provide him with what he/she? needs. If anybody out there can give me advise, I would really appriciate it!
: : I don't want to do anything wrong & hurt it!
: : I also am interested in reporting the stores on the board walk for abusing & killing iguanas every day
: : they lied to me about what it needed & alot of these animals are sold while people are on a weeks' vacation & they die within days in the hotel rooms, they told me he could stay in room temperature & that he would only grow to his environment, I later have found out that is not true. they are selling these porr baby iguanas & mis-informing people just to get the sale. I think it is wrong & not everybody will take the time to learn about the proper care & I'm sure a high % of the iguanas bought , die in a short time. Buying an iguana should be a well-informed, well-thought through decision, not a whim on the boardwalk
: : okay, I'm off my soap box,
: : please help me if you can???????????????
: : thanks, Lisa Parks

Lisa,

I got my hands full on another ig needing help but I will look into this. I seem to be a one man show here in NJ but it is a labor of love for me.

As far as eating habits- Igs will eat alot while growing ,especially in the summer time. Having a fat or plump belly is healthy and no need to worry. Just keep him on a high calcium and low phophourus diet. Mine like coolard greens,green beans,some fruit mixed in. Whipping the tail will happen until he is used to you. I have one now who I rescued and he still does it,but noot as much as before. I call him Satans little helper sometimes. Seek out a good herp vet,have him checked out and weighed in. You will know in a little while how he is doing. One good sign is when he starts to shed,this is good and happens about every 6 weeks.If you plan on keeping this little guy, I also suggest that yopu get a bigger tank because before you know it he will need it.
Mine do not hiss but they let you know when they want out of their enclosures- They also seem to have their own individual personalities and body language. Just observe the actions- You will do fine. I will also let you know how I make out. I live about an hour from WildWood.

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: : : I was recently on vacation in Wildwood, NJ and was talked into an iguana by a fast talking Boardwalk salesman. If i were home, I probably would have never got it, but my 7 yr old daughter really liked it so I got it, Not knowing what kind of committment it would be when I got it home, I say it because I don't know if it's a girl or boy yet, it's 4-5 months old & I went to a local pet store & got a book about green iguanas(mine's green so I assume it is a green iguana) : : : anyway, I got a heat lamp & I already had an old 30 gallon fish tank, so I set Buddy up (that's what I call it,I think it's a male because it has light blue markings near it's head & mouth & I do know males of all animals are usually more colorful than females, I could be wrong, though) what I really want to know is: : : : How can I tell if it's happy or upset? I know that it will lash it's tail from my iguana book, & he's done that a few times, I also saw somewhere that they hiss, if he's done that, I haven't heard it, I know when my cat is mad, his ears are back & he purrs when he is happy, but the iguana has no warning signs that I know of, and I really want to know how to tell if it's happy. : : : I hold it every day 2-3 times for about 15-20 minutes, the book said handling will help tp tame, I don't let my daughter handle it because she will be too rough : : : I also want to know how often I should feed it, I have recently started to feed him when I handle him, I don't know if that is good or bad, He eats out of my fingers & I think he is to the point of expecting food every time I pick him up, He is gaining weight & almost has a fat belly,I don't want to over-feed him, but he acts hungry. Will Iguanas eat themselves to death like some fish will, or do they stop eating when full? I don't want to harm him at all : : : I am trying my best to provide him with what he/she? needs. If anybody out there can give me advise, I would really appriciate it! : : : I don't want to do anything wrong & hurt it! : : : I also am interested in reporting the stores on the board walk for abusing & killing iguanas every day : : : they lied to me about what it needed & alot of these animals are sold while people are on a weeks' vacation & they die within days in the hotel rooms, they told me he could stay in room temperature & that he would only grow to his environment, I later have found out that is not true. they are selling these porr baby iguanas & mis-informing people just to get the sale. I think it is wrong & not everybody will take the time to learn about the proper care & I'm sure a high % of the iguanas bought , die in a short time. Buying an iguana should be a well-informed, well-thought through decision, not a whim on the boardwalk : : : okay, I'm off my soap box, : : : please help me if you can??????????????? : : : thanks, Lisa Parks : Lisa, : I got my hands full on another ig needing help but I will look into this. I seem to be a one man show here in NJ but it is a labor of love for me. : As far as eating habits- Igs will eat alot while growing ,especially in the summer time. Having a fat or plump belly is healthy and no need to worry. Just keep him on a high calcium and low phophourus diet. Mine like coolard greens,green beans,some fruit mixed in. Whipping the tail will happen until he is used to you. I have one now who I rescued and he still does it,but noot as much as before. I call him Satans little helper sometimes. Seek out a good herp vet,have him checked out and weighed in. You will know in a little while how he is doing. One good sign is when he starts to shed,this is good and happens about every 6 weeks.If you plan on keeping this little guy, I also suggest that yopu get a bigger tank because before you know it he will need it. : Mine do not hiss but they let you know when they want out of their enclosures- They also seem to have their own individual personalities and body language. Just observe the actions- You will do fine. I will also let you know how I make out. I live about an hour from WildWood.

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