Re: Several Million Questions for the Experts on this board.

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Posted by Maggie on December 10, 1999 at 23:57:42:

In Reply to: Several Million Questions for the Experts on this board. posted by Priest8841 on December 10, 1999 at 23:08:54:

: a) how much does an iguanas temprament improve with handling?
It can improve if you go about handling it everyday taking it one step at a time.
: b) can a fairly feisty/unfriendly iguana become a "tame" iguana?
Once again it depends on how much you handle it and how it was treated before you got it.
: c) can you really go without feeding an iguana live food?
NEVER feed an iguana animal protein of anykind!!! They are very strict vegetarians. No insects, dog food, monkey biscuits, only fresh greens and other healthy people food.
: d) how often do they need vet visits?
This depends greatly on your ig, you should always get it vet checked as soon as possible after purchase, then after that usually 1-2 times a year to make sure they are super healthy.
: e) how many different varieties are their of iguana?
I'm not sure exactly, I know of three Green Iguana,Spiny Tail Iguana, and Fiji Iguana, but you can not purchase Fiji igs.
: f) could an iguana live with a bearded dragon?
I'm not sure exactly, but I would guess and say no.
: g) can iguanas recognize their owners?
I think mine do, they can tell the difference between me and my roomate.
: h) how large of an enclosure will an Ig need by the time it is full sized?
VERY, VERY, VERY LARGE!!!
: i)Do Iguanas like other iguanas?
As a general rule I think its no, but I have 9 igs. % adults and 4 juveniles. They all seem to get along fine as long as I keep the two males seperated.
: j) Is yellow squash really the iguanas favorite food?
My igs seem to like fresh collard greens over anything else, with an exception to canteloupe.
: k) can you really train an iguana?
If you work at it long enough you can train anything. It is not easy, but they can usually be trained to "do their business" in the bathtub or if you are lucky a litter box.
: l) what type of temperature range do Iguanas function in for short periods of time (say you were going to let iggy run around the house)
Igs are from the tropics so they need to be kept pretty warm. I have several basking spots set up around my house for them to warm up in.
: m) is letting iggy run around the house a good idea?
I think it is a great idea to let them run around if you iguana proof your house first.
: n) what would you need to watch out for?
The most important thing is any thing they can climb on. If they can get on top af something they will. You also need to watch out for cords and outlets and any sharp edges, like a loose nail or something. Another important thing to watch out for are "iguana pies" buy a carpet shampooer or lots of plastic!! :)
: o) do iguanas ever breed in captivity?
They can but it is not a good idea.
: p) exactly how attached to iguanas get to their owners
They will sometimes let you hold them and pet them they will more likely then anything like to climb up your pant legs and try to sit on your head. I think they can get pretty attached, I tookin some rescues and they are just now getting used to having a new owner.
: q) would a small wading pool be a good idea for an iguana enclosure?
It would be a wonderful idea!! Igs like water (most of the time)
: r) where is a good place via the internet to purchase a quality healthy iguana?
I'm not sure exactly where you could buy one from like a pet store, but you can contact NIAD(www.niad.org) or search under your browser for Colorado Reptile Rescue or other organazations like that.
: s) exactly what supplements are needed to be sprinkled over the Iguanas food?
Calcium supplemants are a must. A good thing I read was to crush a centrum and put that on their food.
: t) can anyone recommend a good iguana website for the layperson?
I am not very computer savvy so the only I could tell you would be to use your browser and find Melissa Kaplans website. Lots of good info. You can also find care tips on NIAD's webpage.
By the way just in case you were unsure of what NIAD is, it is National Iguana Awareness Day.

: Thanks!

Hope I could be of some help to you. Good luck with your Iguana and keep me posted on how things go for you. The information I gave was for Green Iguanas, so you might want to keep that in mind. Feel free to email me with any questions: indymaggie@hotmail.com

PS Green Iguanas can grow to be over six feet long!

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Comments:
: : a) how much does an iguanas temprament improve with handling? : It can improve if you go about handling it everyday taking it one step at a time. : : b) can a fairly feisty/unfriendly iguana become a "tame" iguana? : Once again it depends on how much you handle it and how it was treated before you got it. : : c) can you really go without feeding an iguana live food? : NEVER feed an iguana animal protein of anykind!!! They are very strict vegetarians. No insects, dog food, monkey biscuits, only fresh greens and other healthy people food. : : d) how often do they need vet visits? : This depends greatly on your ig, you should always get it vet checked as soon as possible after purchase, then after that usually 1-2 times a year to make sure they are super healthy. : : e) how many different varieties are their of iguana? : I'm not sure exactly, I know of three Green Iguana,Spiny Tail Iguana, and Fiji Iguana, but you can not purchase Fiji igs. : : f) could an iguana live with a bearded dragon? : I'm not sure exactly, but I would guess and say no. : : g) can iguanas recognize their owners? : I think mine do, they can tell the difference between me and my roomate. : : h) how large of an enclosure will an Ig need by the time it is full sized? : VERY, VERY, VERY LARGE!!! : : i)Do Iguanas like other iguanas? : As a general rule I think its no, but I have 9 igs. % adults and 4 juveniles. They all seem to get along fine as long as I keep the two males seperated. : : j) Is yellow squash really the iguanas favorite food? : My igs seem to like fresh collard greens over anything else, with an exception to canteloupe. : : k) can you really train an iguana? : If you work at it long enough you can train anything. It is not easy, but they can usually be trained to "do their business" in the bathtub or if you are lucky a litter box. : : l) what type of temperature range do Iguanas function in for short periods of time (say you were going to let iggy run around the house) : Igs are from the tropics so they need to be kept pretty warm. I have several basking spots set up around my house for them to warm up in. : : m) is letting iggy run around the house a good idea? : I think it is a great idea to let them run around if you iguana proof your house first. : : n) what would you need to watch out for? : The most important thing is any thing they can climb on. If they can get on top af something they will. You also need to watch out for cords and outlets and any sharp edges, like a loose nail or something. Another important thing to watch out for are "iguana pies" buy a carpet shampooer or lots of plastic!! :) : : o) do iguanas ever breed in captivity? : They can but it is not a good idea. : : p) exactly how attached to iguanas get to their owners : They will sometimes let you hold them and pet them they will more likely then anything like to climb up your pant legs and try to sit on your head. I think they can get pretty attached, I tookin some rescues and they are just now getting used to having a new owner. : : q) would a small wading pool be a good idea for an iguana enclosure? : It would be a wonderful idea!! Igs like water (most of the time) : : r) where is a good place via the internet to purchase a quality healthy iguana? : I'm not sure exactly where you could buy one from like a pet store, but you can contact NIAD(www.niad.org) or search under your browser for Colorado Reptile Rescue or other organazations like that. : : s) exactly what supplements are needed to be sprinkled over the Iguanas food? : Calcium supplemants are a must. A good thing I read was to crush a centrum and put that on their food. : : t) can anyone recommend a good iguana website for the layperson? : I am not very computer savvy so the only I could tell you would be to use your browser and find Melissa Kaplans website. Lots of good info. You can also find care tips on NIAD's webpage. : By the way just in case you were unsure of what NIAD is, it is National Iguana Awareness Day. : : Thanks! : Hope I could be of some help to you. Good luck with your Iguana and keep me posted on how things go for you. The information I gave was for Green Iguanas, so you might want to keep that in mind. Feel free to email me with any questions: indymaggie@hotmail.com : PS Green Iguanas can grow to be over six feet long!

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