HELP! found an iguana, don't know what to do!!

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Posted by julie on October 07, 1999 at 18:56:16:

i'm a student at columbia university. last night some friends called saying there was an iguana outside of one of the dorms and could i help? i have a snake so i'm marginally more qualified than they. but i don't know anything about iguanas. anyway, we put him in an aquarium with a heat lamp (he was practically frozen). he made it through the night and has eaten some green beans and grapes. we put up flyers hoping his owner will respond. in the meantime i'm stuck with this guy. and he's not very nice. when he got here last night he was basically unable to move cause he was so cold, but now he's alert and moving about. and rather mean. when i put food in he started slashing his tail about in warning. his body is about seven inches long and his tail is about twice that. he may just be nervous and scared rather than mean. i don't know. but anyway, here are my questions:

1. i can't keep him (although he's very cute). i know these guys get quite big and require more space and attention than i can give. if the owner doesn't call, does anyone know of any organization or individuals in or around New York City who could give him a good home?
2. is it likely that he would snap at me while i'm putting food in? he has eaten some of the stuff i gave him. if he bites, will it hurt? should i put on gloves?
3. i'm concerned about the fact that he was found outside. he was really cold when i got him; could he have suffered permanent damage?
4. on a related note, if his owner DOES respond to our ads, the fact that he was found outside makes me question this person's competency to care for an iguana. although i can't keep him, i feel uncomfortable letting him go back to a home that's not good. what do you think?

please respond; i love animals and i really want this guy to end up somewhere safe and healthy. post a response here or email me! thanks a lot! julie

Follow Ups:

Julie,,nice job and thanks for caring soo much !! You're a great person!nm cirsisue 10/07/99 (0)
found the owner, it's all good julie 10/07/99 (0)

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: i'm a student at columbia university. last night some friends called saying there was an iguana outside of one of the dorms and could i help? i have a snake so i'm marginally more qualified than they. but i don't know anything about iguanas. anyway, we put him in an aquarium with a heat lamp (he was practically frozen). he made it through the night and has eaten some green beans and grapes. we put up flyers hoping his owner will respond. in the meantime i'm stuck with this guy. and he's not very nice. when he got here last night he was basically unable to move cause he was so cold, but now he's alert and moving about. and rather mean. when i put food in he started slashing his tail about in warning. his body is about seven inches long and his tail is about twice that. he may just be nervous and scared rather than mean. i don't know. but anyway, here are my questions: : 1. i can't keep him (although he's very cute). i know these guys get quite big and require more space and attention than i can give. if the owner doesn't call, does anyone know of any organization or individuals in or around New York City who could give him a good home? : 2. is it likely that he would snap at me while i'm putting food in? he has eaten some of the stuff i gave him. if he bites, will it hurt? should i put on gloves? : 3. i'm concerned about the fact that he was found outside. he was really cold when i got him; could he have suffered permanent damage? : 4. on a related note, if his owner DOES respond to our ads, the fact that he was found outside makes me question this person's competency to care for an iguana. although i can't keep him, i feel uncomfortable letting him go back to a home that's not good. what do you think? : please respond; i love animals and i really want this guy to end up somewhere safe and healthy. post a response here or email me! thanks a lot! julie

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