my 2 cents:......................(or more :)........

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Posted by IGUANA JOE on December 02, 2000 at 08:15:37:

In Reply to: New member to big family- rescue ig posted by Andrea seward on December 01, 2000 at 19:59:07:

As a rule of thumb, igs usually don't get along with mammals, and even other igs. They are not very social creatures in the wild, and can be quiet territorial. Always supervise when the animals interact or are in the same room.

Second, to have a brand new acquisition free-roaming is a bad idea. If he's potty-trained, i guess it's ok. It also sounds like you haven't had an ig already, and this is your first.

The links given by LilMe are excellent, but I recommend dropping by amazon.com and buy one of these two books: James Hatfield's Ultimate Iguana Book, and/or Melissa Kaplan's Iguanas for Dummies. (no, it isn't really for dummies).
Both are excellent.

Being new, he won't eat for a couple of days. Iguanas are creatures of habit, hating the slightest change in their lives. He's just been brought in a new home with dogs, kids, and you two new caregivers. 'Nuff said.
With all this stress, he may be reluctant to eat, and his color may be darker.

A good visit to the vet (one who knows what he's doing with reptiles) with fresh stool sample(s) is urgent, so you'll know if it has any endo-parasites. Try to make him poop in one area that will become his 'toilet' (usually they prefer one spot, and that become 'it'). Clean well (i.e. disinfect) anything the animal went over, and wash hands well too. Keep the cage superclean, or your risks of contacting salmonella will rise.

If you're planning to get a cage, make it BIG! In the long run, it'll be worth it. If you sart small, you'll have to upgrade on and on. But if you play your cards right, he may stay a free-roamer in a given room, as long as he wont take a crap all over the place.

As for his nails, just clip the sharp tip (the links will expalin, as well as the books), and file it to make it smooth. If you're still afraid to do so, have a vet show you how it's done. REMEMBER! if his claws have contactec his droppings, and it scratches you, you might be in trouble! Quickly wash and disinfect with alcohol or peroxide the scratches.

Having an iguana takes a lot of responsibility, some time, effort, TLC, and esecially cleanliness!
They are 100% vegeterians, and once you're on a roll, they're little trouble. Plus, they're so cool!

Also, it helps scrolling around this forum for any posts that may interest/help you.
Good luck, and let us know how things are getting along!

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: As a rule of thumb, igs usually don't get along with mammals, and even other igs. They are not very social creatures in the wild, and can be quiet territorial. Always supervise when the animals interact or are in the same room. : Second, to have a brand new acquisition free-roaming is a bad idea. If he's potty-trained, i guess it's ok. It also sounds like you haven't had an ig already, and this is your first. : The links given by LilMe are excellent, but I recommend dropping by amazon.com and buy one of these two books: James Hatfield's Ultimate Iguana Book, and/or Melissa Kaplan's Iguanas for Dummies. (no, it isn't really for dummies). : Both are excellent. : Being new, he won't eat for a couple of days. Iguanas are creatures of habit, hating the slightest change in their lives. He's just been brought in a new home with dogs, kids, and you two new caregivers. 'Nuff said. : With all this stress, he may be reluctant to eat, and his color may be darker. : A good visit to the vet (one who knows what he's doing with reptiles) with fresh stool sample(s) is urgent, so you'll know if it has any endo-parasites. Try to make him poop in one area that will become his 'toilet' (usually they prefer one spot, and that become 'it'). Clean well (i.e. disinfect) anything the animal went over, and wash hands well too. Keep the cage superclean, or your risks of contacting salmonella will rise. : If you're planning to get a cage, make it BIG! In the long run, it'll be worth it. If you sart small, you'll have to upgrade on and on. But if you play your cards right, he may stay a free-roamer in a given room, as long as he wont take a crap all over the place. : As for his nails, just clip the sharp tip (the links will expalin, as well as the books), and file it to make it smooth. If you're still afraid to do so, have a vet show you how it's done. REMEMBER! if his claws have contactec his droppings, and it scratches you, you might be in trouble! Quickly wash and disinfect with alcohol or peroxide the scratches. : Having an iguana takes a lot of responsibility, some time, effort, TLC, and esecially cleanliness! : They are 100% vegeterians, and once you're on a roll, they're little trouble. Plus, they're so cool! : Also, it helps scrolling around this forum for any posts that may interest/help you. : Good luck, and let us know how things are getting along!

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