Skinny Iguana, just old or is he sick?

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by MH on August 31, 1998 at 09:04:11:

Hi!

My name's Mattias and I live in Sweden. I have a very large green iguana about 10 1/2 years old.
He lives in a large naturalistic terrarium and until July this year his cage has always been open.
The reason I've started to keep his cage closed is that before he used to leave his droppings on
old newspapers placed on the floor, but in June/July he started to drop those "landmines" all over
the floor instead.
He has always been very robust and muscular, like a healthy Iguana should be, but now he has become
very skinny and he is not feeding well. I wasn't very concerned in the beginning when he refused to eat,
because sometimes he stops feeding for a month or so (without becoming skinny). But now I'm very concerned
He doesn't look or behave like a sick animal and I have allways provided him with UV-light, good heating and
appropriate food.

As I see it there can only be two reasons to why he is becoming so skinny:

1 He doesn't like to be "locked up" (tough I let him go free-roaming 2-3 times a week)
2 He is old!

He is my oldest, and the one I enjoy the most, of my Iguanas. Could it be that he have stopped eating simply
because of old age? Is there anyone out there who has had an Iguana that died of old age?
And does anyone know how old Iguanas usually become in captivity?

I would be very happy if someone could give me some answers or ideas and opinions.

Mattias

Follow Ups:

Re: Skinny Iguana, just old or is he sick? Iguanamomma 9/02/98 (0)
Re: Skinny Iguana, just old or is he sick? L.Stinson 9/01/98 (0)
Re: Skinny Iguana, just old or is he sick? Dark 8/31/98 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Hi! : My name's Mattias and I live in Sweden. I have a very large green iguana about 10 1/2 years old. : He lives in a large naturalistic terrarium and until July this year his cage has always been open. : The reason I've started to keep his cage closed is that before he used to leave his droppings on : old newspapers placed on the floor, but in June/July he started to drop those "landmines" all over : the floor instead. : He has always been very robust and muscular, like a healthy Iguana should be, but now he has become : very skinny and he is not feeding well. I wasn't very concerned in the beginning when he refused to eat, : because sometimes he stops feeding for a month or so (without becoming skinny). But now I'm very concerned : He doesn't look or behave like a sick animal and I have allways provided him with UV-light, good heating and : appropriate food. : As I see it there can only be two reasons to why he is becoming so skinny: : 1 He doesn't like to be "locked up" (tough I let him go free-roaming 2-3 times a week) : 2 He is old! : He is my oldest, and the one I enjoy the most, of my Iguanas. Could it be that he have stopped eating simply : because of old age? Is there anyone out there who has had an Iguana that died of old age? : And does anyone know how old Iguanas usually become in captivity? : I would be very happy if someone could give me some answers or ideas and opinions. : Mattias

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]