Re: A few more questions from a potential breeder

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Posted by BabyHerp on May 07, 2001 at 18:53:53:

In Reply to: A few more questions from a potential breeder posted by Nick on May 06, 2001 at 17:32:47:

: A few more questions guys....I really don't want to screw this up.
We can only offer our opinions....its all up to you in the end.

: 1. What would be the best to get for a first time ig keeper? A male or a female?
A first time GREEN IGUANA keeper? (several other types of iguanas like desert igs, cycluras,ctenos;spiny-tails and I think even swifts fall into family Iguanidae not sure tho.
A FIRST TIME green iguana keeper who's 14?
Green iguanas make LOUSY first time pets...they are HIGH-MAINTENANCE (time, money,proper set-ups and medical probs inc. the transmission of salmonella so need to take precautions)just because a green iguana is cheap to begin with doesn't mean its cheap to care for.It will cost YOU big time! You wind up becoming a slave to him/her! I'd check out other types of lizards if I was youz! Always keep a green iguana in the back of your mind...when you're older, settled, wiser and self-reliant for $$ THEN consider getting one. You are making a big mistake if you are FIRM in your decision to get one at your age.

: 2.I have seen several different colors of iguanas...from blue to grey. I was wondering if these are different species, or just different colors or what.
Green iguana can have many different colors ...majority of green iguanas imported from El Salvador (the kind you find in pet stores, boardwalks, fairs etc.) Altho imports are decreasing in numbers, may be all green to begin with as young then mature losing most of the green and retaining orange, yellow, grey, browns,black,blue scales.....I believe E.S. is the only country exporting them now. Colors may indicate what area/country of origin they're from.

: 3.Are there many different species of iguanas available?
Green iguana then some of the ones I listed above...are available.

: 4.If so, which ones take handling best?
Rhino igs then cuban igs are much more handable than green iguana. Check out other forums like Desert/Chuckwalla Forums, and Cyclura forums for their opinions.

: 5.(Not a question)If it would be easier to email me, I dont know why it would be, but my addey is at the top of the page.
Thanks that's always helpful especially for "lurkers" who may have terrific info & advice for you but shy to post on open forum for whatever reason.

: 6. What would be the best reference book to keep on hand?
Check out iguana iguana bibliography at:
http://crocodilian.com/iguanabiblio/
Reference books like Maders Reptile Medicine & Surgery, Burghardt and Rands Iguanas of the World, are expensive $75-150 each. For a first -time iguana owner there are several newer books out, Iguana for Dummies by Melissa Kaplan (@$10) would be a good refernce book. Hatfields Ultimate Green Iguana Manual ($25)is another which I like because it is filled with lots of information from OTHER iguana owners NOT one person.

: 7.What aquarium size would be ok for a hatchling iguana?
I would shoot for a 40-60 gal high.

: 8.What are some good plans for building an iguana enclosure?
Glenn Merrill's Iguana Cage Page is a good place to start...URL is:
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/6333

: 9.Is there a certain type of iguana that tolerates handeling best?
Rhino igs (cyclura) are sweeties as babies (expensive tho $175-300) With any kind of reptile it takes a lot of time and patience and precautions taming.

: Thats all for now.

For NOW??? you mean there's more....YIKES!!! just kidding!! Fire Away!!

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: : A few more questions guys....I really don't want to screw this up. : We can only offer our opinions....its all up to you in the end. : : 1. What would be the best to get for a first time ig keeper? A male or a female? : A first time GREEN IGUANA keeper? (several other types of iguanas like desert igs, cycluras,ctenos;spiny-tails and I think even swifts fall into family Iguanidae not sure tho. : A FIRST TIME green iguana keeper who's 14? : Green iguanas make LOUSY first time pets...they are HIGH-MAINTENANCE (time, money,proper set-ups and medical probs inc. the transmission of salmonella so need to take precautions)just because a green iguana is cheap to begin with doesn't mean its cheap to care for.It will cost YOU big time! You wind up becoming a slave to him/her! I'd check out other types of lizards if I was youz! Always keep a green iguana in the back of your mind...when you're older, settled, wiser and self-reliant for $$ THEN consider getting one. You are making a big mistake if you are FIRM in your decision to get one at your age. : : 2.I have seen several different colors of iguanas...from blue to grey. I was wondering if these are different species, or just different colors or what. : Green iguana can have many different colors ...majority of green iguanas imported from El Salvador (the kind you find in pet stores, boardwalks, fairs etc.) Altho imports are decreasing in numbers, may be all green to begin with as young then mature losing most of the green and retaining orange, yellow, grey, browns,black,blue scales.....I believe E.S. is the only country exporting them now. Colors may indicate what area/country of origin they're from. : : 3.Are there many different species of iguanas available? : Green iguana then some of the ones I listed above...are available. : : 4.If so, which ones take handling best? : Rhino igs then cuban igs are much more handable than green iguana. Check out other forums like Desert/Chuckwalla Forums, and Cyclura forums for their opinions. : : 5.(Not a question)If it would be easier to email me, I dont know why it would be, but my addey is at the top of the page. : Thanks that's always helpful especially for "lurkers" who may have terrific info & advice for you but shy to post on open forum for whatever reason. : : 6. What would be the best reference book to keep on hand? : Check out iguana iguana bibliography at: : http://crocodilian.com/iguanabiblio/ : Reference books like Maders Reptile Medicine & Surgery, Burghardt and Rands Iguanas of the World, are expensive $75-150 each. For a first -time iguana owner there are several newer books out, Iguana for Dummies by Melissa Kaplan (@$10) would be a good refernce book. Hatfields Ultimate Green Iguana Manual ($25)is another which I like because it is filled with lots of information from OTHER iguana owners NOT one person. : : 7.What aquarium size would be ok for a hatchling iguana? : I would shoot for a 40-60 gal high. : : 8.What are some good plans for building an iguana enclosure? : Glenn Merrill's Iguana Cage Page is a good place to start...URL is: : http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/6333 : : 9.Is there a certain type of iguana that tolerates handeling best? : Rhino igs (cyclura) are sweeties as babies (expensive tho $175-300) With any kind of reptile it takes a lot of time and patience and precautions taming. : : Thats all for now. : For NOW??? you mean there's more....YIKES!!! just kidding!! Fire Away!!

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