Your million answered....& a few questions/statements back to U.

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Posted by Harry's Dad on December 11, 1999 at 04:35:54:

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

< HI! I'm new,>
Welcome to the forum! You have taken the first step...getting information BEFORE getting an iguana, THANK YOU!!! I am marking topics with this symbol (*) noting a subject that you should get information on and read. There is a book worth the investment "Green Iguana, The Ultimate Owner's Manual" by James Hatfield III; this book is the "bible" of knowing about iguanas. If you see multi (*)'s it will state the level of importance. Example: (*) you should know (***) you should definitely should know (*****) Up most importance and you GOT TO KNOW!!

< I think I am nearing Iguana purchase time.>
Oh.....I'd say you're about a month or two away yet! If you don't know the answers to the questions below and more, I would suggest some intense study on owning a iguana, before even thinking about purchasing one( Note: I will address the purchase issue later in this post)

< a) how much does an iguanas temprament improve with handling?>
In most cases, handling does improve the owner/iguana relationship, but there are some areas that even handling will not make a difference. In fact, when males are in season(***) handling can be a dangerous thing. Males can become very aggressive due to territorial issues. "Females also during their season"(***) can become very unfriendly also.

< b) can a fairly feisty/unfriendly iguana become a "tame" iguana?>
Some can.....some can't. These are wild reptiles and this is something people some times forget.

< c) can you really go without feeding an iguana live food?>
Here's a question that alerted me to knowing YOU are not ready for an iguana. Iguanas don't consume "live food" Their diet(******) consist of plants.

< d) how often do they need vet visits?>
That depends on a world of things! If you take care of your iguana, chances are you might only need a few visits a year. If you don't take care of your iguana properly or the iguana has genetic defects from birth, you could be seeing multi visits to the vet.

< e) how many different varieties are their of iguana?>
There are quite a few different types of iguanas. As far as available iguanas that would be around 10-15...most being desert type iguanas(spiney tail iguanas)

< f) could an iguana live with a bearded dragon?>
There are cases that a person has done this, I would NOT suggest it. Would you put a Wolf with a Fox? No. Most likely, the wolf would kill the fox in part, for territorial issues. As with a wolf....iguanas are wild animals, you can't know what they will do 24/7. So don't take the chance. A bite from an adult iguana could kill a BD in a few seconds.

< g) can iguanas recognize their owners?>
View plays little to do with it, I would say smell is the key word here. An iguana like most lizards, have a smelling sensor in the roof of their mouth that can detect smells much like the nose of a dog, only iguanas use their tongue to bring the scent to the sensor inside their mouth. Your iguana will know you are present in a room even if the room is completely dark just by your scent.

< h) how large of an enclosure will an Ig need by the time it is full sized?>
Very large, figure at least 6' x 6' x 6' cage (*****) for an adult iguana. Iguana's size can arrange from 4' to 6' when their are adults.

< i)Do Iguanas like other iguanas?>
LOL, it's a grab bag. Some do, some don't. Definitely don't mix males.(*)

< j) Is yellow squash really the iguanas favorite food?>
No. Every iguana has it's favorite food. Remember one thing, just because they like something, doesn't mean it's GOOD for them. Some bad owners feed human foods(*****) like pizza....the iguana might like it but you might be visiting your Vet on a long term bases doing something like that and the life span of your iguana will be shorten.

< k) can you really train an iguana?>
Some people have said that they have, my opinion, they can't be trained any where near like a dog or even a cat. Iguanas memory base is short unlike a dog who can remember something a year later.

< 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)>
Depends on house temperatures(*****). Iguanas can take mid 60's for short periods of time, without stressing them out. I would suggest monitoring them during these outtings.

< m) is letting iggy run around the house a good idea?>
That depends on alot of things, do you have other pets(dogs, cats,etc...) Free roaming(***) is normal with some iguana owners. Here's where the training comes in. You will have to train your iguana to use a certain area for it's restroom duties, such as a litter box or the bathtub(using a ramp)You will also have to IGproof (*****) your house for a free roaming iguana. Plants(****) and some objects are be dangerous to an iguana.

< n) what would you need to watch out for?>
See above

< o) do iguanas ever breed in captivity?>
Hummmm NO!! Breeding is an issue that you should NOT consider, due to the problems iguanas are having right now.(*****) thousands are dying every year(*****), we don't need to add 20 to 60 more iglets into the whole big picture with you breeding your iguana. The fact is iguanas can be bred, but please don't think about doing it, til you find out more about what is going on with iguanas these days. Check out some iguana rescue(*****) groups for more information.

< p) exactly how attached to iguanas get to their owners>
For the most part, they put up with their owners!! A few don't, it varies from one iguana to another.

< q) would a small wading pool be a good idea for an iguana enclosure?>
Water should always be available to them, either a drinking bowl or a pool. One thing to remember, iguana's like to "poop" in water, so whatever water you supply your iguana, it might end up being their restroom and will have to have clean water on a regular daily bases.

< r) where is a good place via the internet to purchase a quality healthy iguana?>
You can consider adopting an iguana vs buying one(******). There are many iguana rescues out there needing good homes for iguanas that had bad owners. I would strongly suggest looking at adopting one before purchasing one. A donation to the group is always welcome to help support continuing to rescue unwanted iguanas.

< s) exactly what supplements are needed to be sprinkled over the Iguanas food?>
I'm not a strong believer in this area, due to some reports I have read. If you supply your iguana will a well balanced diet(******), you shouldn't need supplements.

< t) can anyone recommend a good iguana website for the layperson?>
I will just post my under construction website that has links at the bottom of the page...please check the second one out first....and then check out Melissa's after that. On Melissa's figure at least a week worth of reading to get most of the imformation off of it. It's very large.

Hope this helps you get started on building your information base. If you need any more questions answered, please feel free to email me at Lvsiggys@aol.com. Please title email...."Iguana questions".

Good luck
HD
Again, welcome to the iguana forum and I hope you stay and be a part of this family of friends here. We try to help each other, if we don't know the answer....we'll help find it!

Follow Ups:

Reply from original poster to all who have been nice enough to respond priest8841 12/11/99 (5)
- more input ... iZ's mom 12/11/99 (2)
  - Please,,where are you located?? cirsisue 12/12/99 (0)
  - oops ~ missed a link i meant to add... iZ's mom 12/11/99 (0)
- some answers Harry's Dad 12/11/99 (0)
- Re: Considering adoption? What state are you in? Lola and Harry's Mom 12/11/99 (0)

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: < HI! I'm new,> : Welcome to the forum! You have taken the first step...getting information BEFORE getting an iguana, THANK YOU!!! I am marking topics with this symbol (*) noting a subject that you should get information on and read. There is a book worth the investment "Green Iguana, The Ultimate Owner's Manual" by James Hatfield III; this book is the "bible" of knowing about iguanas. If you see multi (*)'s it will state the level of importance. Example: (*) you should know (***) you should definitely should know (*****) Up most importance and you GOT TO KNOW!! : < I think I am nearing Iguana purchase time.> : Oh.....I'd say you're about a month or two away yet! If you don't know the answers to the questions below and more, I would suggest some intense study on owning a iguana, before even thinking about purchasing one( Note: I will address the purchase issue later in this post) : < a) how much does an iguanas temprament improve with handling?> : In most cases, handling does improve the owner/iguana relationship, but there are some areas that even handling will not make a difference. In fact, when males are in season(***) handling can be a dangerous thing. Males can become very aggressive due to territorial issues. "Females also during their season"(***) can become very unfriendly also. : : < b) can a fairly feisty/unfriendly iguana become a "tame" iguana?> : Some can.....some can't. These are wild reptiles and this is something people some times forget. : < c) can you really go without feeding an iguana live food?> : Here's a question that alerted me to knowing YOU are not ready for an iguana. Iguanas don't consume "live food" Their diet(******) consist of plants. : : < d) how often do they need vet visits?> : That depends on a world of things! If you take care of your iguana, chances are you might only need a few visits a year. If you don't take care of your iguana properly or the iguana has genetic defects from birth, you could be seeing multi visits to the vet. : < e) how many different varieties are their of iguana?> : There are quite a few different types of iguanas. As far as available iguanas that would be around 10-15...most being desert type iguanas(spiney tail iguanas) : < f) could an iguana live with a bearded dragon?> : There are cases that a person has done this, I would NOT suggest it. Would you put a Wolf with a Fox? No. Most likely, the wolf would kill the fox in part, for territorial issues. As with a wolf....iguanas are wild animals, you can't know what they will do 24/7. So don't take the chance. A bite from an adult iguana could kill a BD in a few seconds. : : < g) can iguanas recognize their owners?> : View plays little to do with it, I would say smell is the key word here. An iguana like most lizards, have a smelling sensor in the roof of their mouth that can detect smells much like the nose of a dog, only iguanas use their tongue to bring the scent to the sensor inside their mouth. Your iguana will know you are present in a room even if the room is completely dark just by your scent. : < h) how large of an enclosure will an Ig need by the time it is full sized?> : Very large, figure at least 6' x 6' x 6' cage (*****) for an adult iguana. Iguana's size can arrange from 4' to 6' when their are adults. : < i)Do Iguanas like other iguanas?> : LOL, it's a grab bag. Some do, some don't. Definitely don't mix males.(*) : < j) Is yellow squash really the iguanas favorite food?> : No. Every iguana has it's favorite food. Remember one thing, just because they like something, doesn't mean it's GOOD for them. Some bad owners feed human foods(*****) like pizza....the iguana might like it but you might be visiting your Vet on a long term bases doing something like that and the life span of your iguana will be shorten. : < k) can you really train an iguana?> : Some people have said that they have, my opinion, they can't be trained any where near like a dog or even a cat. Iguanas memory base is short unlike a dog who can remember something a year later. : < 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)> : Depends on house temperatures(*****). Iguanas can take mid 60's for short periods of time, without stressing them out. I would suggest monitoring them during these outtings. : < m) is letting iggy run around the house a good idea?> : That depends on alot of things, do you have other pets(dogs, cats,etc...) Free roaming(***) is normal with some iguana owners. Here's where the training comes in. You will have to train your iguana to use a certain area for it's restroom duties, such as a litter box or the bathtub(using a ramp)You will also have to IGproof (*****) your house for a free roaming iguana. Plants(****) and some objects are be dangerous to an iguana. : < n) what would you need to watch out for?> : See above : < o) do iguanas ever breed in captivity?> : Hummmm NO!! Breeding is an issue that you should NOT consider, due to the problems iguanas are having right now.(*****) thousands are dying every year(*****), we don't need to add 20 to 60 more iglets into the whole big picture with you breeding your iguana. The fact is iguanas can be bred, but please don't think about doing it, til you find out more about what is going on with iguanas these days. Check out some iguana rescue(*****) groups for more information. : < p) exactly how attached to iguanas get to their owners> : For the most part, they put up with their owners!! A few don't, it varies from one iguana to another. : < q) would a small wading pool be a good idea for an iguana enclosure?> : Water should always be available to them, either a drinking bowl or a pool. One thing to remember, iguana's like to "poop" in water, so whatever water you supply your iguana, it might end up being their restroom and will have to have clean water on a regular daily bases. : < r) where is a good place via the internet to purchase a quality healthy iguana?> : You can consider adopting an iguana vs buying one(******). There are many iguana rescues out there needing good homes for iguanas that had bad owners. I would strongly suggest looking at adopting one before purchasing one. A donation to the group is always welcome to help support continuing to rescue unwanted iguanas. : : < s) exactly what supplements are needed to be sprinkled over the Iguanas food?> : I'm not a strong believer in this area, due to some reports I have read. If you supply your iguana will a well balanced diet(******), you shouldn't need supplements. : < t) can anyone recommend a good iguana website for the layperson?> : I will just post my under construction website that has links at the bottom of the page...please check the second one out first....and then check out Melissa's after that. On Melissa's figure at least a week worth of reading to get most of the imformation off of it. It's very large. : Hope this helps you get started on building your information base. If you need any more questions answered, please feel free to email me at Lvsiggys@aol.com. Please title email...."Iguana questions". : Good luck : HD : Again, welcome to the iguana forum and I hope you stay and be a part of this family of friends here. We try to help each other, if we don't know the answer....we'll help find it!

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