Iguana infirmary - Press Item

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on May 30, 2000 at 12:55:24:

ARIZONA DAILY STAR (Tucson) 30 May 00 Iguana infirmary: Sue Thomasson nurses the ailing lizards, finds them homes (Kimberly Matas)
Jasper lounges contentedly on the arm of a forest-green sofa, his long tongue flicking in and out occasionally, "tasting" the air.
He is one of Sue Thomasson's five iguanas.
"He was really bad when I got him, on death's door," said Thomasson, a nurse who nurtured the 4-foot-long reptile during recuperation.
At 13 years old, Jasper is still recovering from abuses inflicted by a previous owner. His body is a crayon box of colors - pale grey, yellow, pink, green, blue and orange with black stripes. But his skin is not as lustrous as some of Thomasson's healthier iguanas.
Toes are missing, his spikes are folded over and his body is covered with scars and burns. "He was nothing but scar tissue" when she adopted him.
"Now he doesn't shed properly," she said.
It took months of physical therapy to get his paralyzed hind legs working again. Thomasson speculates he was kept confined for long periods.
As Thomasson tells his story, Jasper dexterously climbs up and down the couch, finally resting on the back of the sofa, his chin propped on a cushion. He cocks his head and flicks his tongue when Thomasson nears, identifying her by "tasting" the air, which is comparable to sniffing.
Word of mouth has given Thomasson a reputation as a last resort for injured and abused iguanas. She receives them from veterinarians, the Humane Society and individuals.
"The ones I have are really in bad shape when I get them," she said. She nurses them back to health when possible and tries to find good homes.
Each of the iguanas has its own distinct physical characteristics and personality.
Buddy, at 18 years old and 5 feet long, has a tan-and-dusky-peach body with lime-green spots that emerge when he's upset.
Shirley is bright green with black stripes and straight spikes. She's 8 years old, much smaller than her counterparts and has no crop.
Guy, a 10-year-old, has a turquoise-and-rust-colored underbelly and an orange and tan body. He has orange spikes and two horns on his nose.
When Thomasson took him in, he was malnourished, dehydrated and lethargic. "It took six months to get him to eat on his own," she said. "Now he's the hardiest eater."
And they are a long-term commitment. Iguanas can live up to 24 years in captivity.
"We had nine at one time, and it was a zoo," said Joe Thomasson. "They actually take more time than a dog or cat."
FYI - The Thomassons also have a dog, a Brittany mix named Rusty, and two cats, Pookie and Misha, all of whom get along fine with their reptilian companions.

Iguana infirmary

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: ARIZONA DAILY STAR (Tucson) 30 May 00 Iguana infirmary: Sue Thomasson nurses the ailing lizards, finds them homes (Kimberly Matas) : Jasper lounges contentedly on the arm of a forest-green sofa, his long tongue flicking in and out occasionally, "tasting" the air. : He is one of Sue Thomasson's five iguanas. : "He was really bad when I got him, on death's door," said Thomasson, a nurse who nurtured the 4-foot-long reptile during recuperation. : At 13 years old, Jasper is still recovering from abuses inflicted by a previous owner. His body is a crayon box of colors - pale grey, yellow, pink, green, blue and orange with black stripes. But his skin is not as lustrous as some of Thomasson's healthier iguanas. : Toes are missing, his spikes are folded over and his body is covered with scars and burns. "He was nothing but scar tissue" when she adopted him. : "Now he doesn't shed properly," she said. : It took months of physical therapy to get his paralyzed hind legs working again. Thomasson speculates he was kept confined for long periods. : As Thomasson tells his story, Jasper dexterously climbs up and down the couch, finally resting on the back of the sofa, his chin propped on a cushion. He cocks his head and flicks his tongue when Thomasson nears, identifying her by "tasting" the air, which is comparable to sniffing. : Word of mouth has given Thomasson a reputation as a last resort for injured and abused iguanas. She receives them from veterinarians, the Humane Society and individuals. : "The ones I have are really in bad shape when I get them," she said. She nurses them back to health when possible and tries to find good homes. : Each of the iguanas has its own distinct physical characteristics and personality. : Buddy, at 18 years old and 5 feet long, has a tan-and-dusky-peach body with lime-green spots that emerge when he's upset. : Shirley is bright green with black stripes and straight spikes. She's 8 years old, much smaller than her counterparts and has no crop. : Guy, a 10-year-old, has a turquoise-and-rust-colored underbelly and an orange and tan body. He has orange spikes and two horns on his nose. : When Thomasson took him in, he was malnourished, dehydrated and lethargic. "It took six months to get him to eat on his own," she said. "Now he's the hardiest eater." : And they are a long-term commitment. Iguanas can live up to 24 years in captivity. : "We had nine at one time, and it was a zoo," said Joe Thomasson. "They actually take more time than a dog or cat." : FYI - The Thomassons also have a dog, a Brittany mix named Rusty, and two cats, Pookie and Misha, all of whom get along fine with their reptilian companions. : :

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