Re: I looooves iguanas, please read.

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Posted by cwatbay on September 18, 2000 at 12:41:07:

In Reply to: I looooves iguanas, please read. posted by Mike on September 17, 2000 at 14:22:32:

Mike,
I have read your post several times and finally decide to respond ( give some advice ).

First, I was wondering how you can love iguanas without ever having one. If you have had one, where is it ? How long did it live ? You sound like you are no that old, so if you did have one successfully, it would still be alive.

Second, you mention that you think they look neat. That, unfortunately, is not a prerequisite for owning one. The "neat looking" appearance of an iguana goes away the minute you realize that everyday for the next 15 to 20 years of your life is going to be spent taking care of this animal.

Third, What ever happened to those other pets you listed. Are they still alive ? Are they healthy and thriving ? The ones you listed are easy maintenance pets, they don't need the intense specialized care that an iguana needs.

Fourth, the minimum enclosure you will have to build needs to be 7ft high, 3ft deep and at least 4ft wide. It needs constant temperature and humidity control, water, climbing accessories and daily cleaning. Plus appropriate UVB light and lighting equipment. Plan and spending at least $200 to $800 dollars building the enclosure ( unless you plan on buying one - in that case you can double the price ). Also, depending on where you live, the enclosure will need to be insulated.

Fifth, expect to pay $50 to $200 a month in iguana related expenses: food, vet bills, added utility bills, medicine, etc.

Additionally, don't assume that your iguana will be a "fun" pet. It isn't. Fun goes out the door real quick. Trying to impress friends and others is not a good reason and it is very short lived.

If you really take good care of your iguana and do more "right" things than "wrong" things it will grow up to be a very interesting and rewarding pet, but there is a 50% chance it will grow up and be a major pain and will take up all of your patience, time and money ( or your parent's patience, time and money.

So you are going to have to make an "adult" decision, based on "long term" thinking and "long term" commitment. The world does not need more abandoned iguanas at animal shelters or let loose in some park. And this forum does not need to hear more stories of "how my iguana is so difficult to take care of", or, "why doens't my iguana become tame", or even worse, " does anyone know somebody who can take my iguana because........?".

Here's a good rule, instead of buying an iguana and raising it, pretend that you are going to buy a horse and raise it. Think real long and hard before you make your decision.

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: Mike, : I have read your post several times and finally decide to respond ( give some advice ). : First, I was wondering how you can love iguanas without ever having one. If you have had one, where is it ? How long did it live ? You sound like you are no that old, so if you did have one successfully, it would still be alive. : Second, you mention that you think they look neat. That, unfortunately, is not a prerequisite for owning one. The "neat looking" appearance of an iguana goes away the minute you realize that everyday for the next 15 to 20 years of your life is going to be spent taking care of this animal. : Third, What ever happened to those other pets you listed. Are they still alive ? Are they healthy and thriving ? The ones you listed are easy maintenance pets, they don't need the intense specialized care that an iguana needs. : Fourth, the minimum enclosure you will have to build needs to be 7ft high, 3ft deep and at least 4ft wide. It needs constant temperature and humidity control, water, climbing accessories and daily cleaning. Plus appropriate UVB light and lighting equipment. Plan and spending at least $200 to $800 dollars building the enclosure ( unless you plan on buying one - in that case you can double the price ). Also, depending on where you live, the enclosure will need to be insulated. : Fifth, expect to pay $50 to $200 a month in iguana related expenses: food, vet bills, added utility bills, medicine, etc. : Additionally, don't assume that your iguana will be a "fun" pet. It isn't. Fun goes out the door real quick. Trying to impress friends and others is not a good reason and it is very short lived. : If you really take good care of your iguana and do more "right" things than "wrong" things it will grow up to be a very interesting and rewarding pet, but there is a 50% chance it will grow up and be a major pain and will take up all of your patience, time and money ( or your parent's patience, time and money. : So you are going to have to make an "adult" decision, based on "long term" thinking and "long term" commitment. The world does not need more abandoned iguanas at animal shelters or let loose in some park. And this forum does not need to hear more stories of "how my iguana is so difficult to take care of", or, "why doens't my iguana become tame", or even worse, " does anyone know somebody who can take my iguana because........?". : Here's a good rule, instead of buying an iguana and raising it, pretend that you are going to buy a horse and raise it. Think real long and hard before you make your decision. : CW

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