Posted by BabyHerp on July 20, 2000 at 11:57:37:
In Reply to: Need expert help posted by Murphy on July 19, 2000 at 18:22:49:
Here's why.... if you're talking captive giant green iguana keeping yes they are herbivorous. There are several *other* types of iguanas that are omnivorous eating both animal protein & vegetation. IN THE WILD...most iguanas (including ggis) as babies , juveniles survive by having to live in low lying bushes & are more terrestial than when they mature. Iguanas are opportunistic feeders they eat what is accessible...as babies more likely to eat bugs, eggs, carrion ....mature iguanas HAVE indeed also been documented to feed on carrion in times of adverse conditions. Because their enviroment is humid and have good access to water (in vegetation & streams) I believe the consumption of animal protein does not have the effects (kidney disease) on them that it would pose if fed in captivity (chronic dehydration). Melissa Kaplan often states that necropsy results of green iguanas show no animal protein in their gut...a blanket statement like that leads me to assume that the necropsies where not done on babies, juveniles, or cover a diverse territory of iguanas. Since MK hasn't printed out this study we can only guess its interpretation by what she says. Then to boot she recommends the use of yogurt (animal protein) to replenish benficial microflora for iguanas treated with de-wormers & antibiotics. Go figure. The majority of iguana farms that import their baby iguanas to the US feed their iglets a high animal protein diet consisting of fish, beef, dog food etc. in an attempt for them to mature quickly for further breeding or exportation. Some of the issues involving green iguanas that Ive come across regarding the animal protein issue is that herbivorous reptiles (as with human vegetarins) are not consuming complete proteins lacking certain amino acids resulting in deficiencies and malnutrition hence the need for supplementation. Don't get me wrong..Im not advocating feeding giant green iguanas animal protein even yogurt...but like you trying to find answers my iguanas can LIVE with. Our iguanas need to THRIVE not merely live right? ;-) Now if I can only convince my vet....that it is NOT ok to feed my igs low-fat dog food! He drives me crazy!!
Gina