Re: Anyone with iguana breeding or male/female housing experience?

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Posted by Dino on October 24, 1998 at 12:26:02:

In Reply to: Anyone with iguana breeding or male/female housing experience? posted by JasonZ on October 24, 1998 at 10:35:09:

Jason,
Well,let's start off with the female's possible egg binding,etc. Infertile eggs,are by nature,harder for the female to pass. A few considerations here; egg binding is typically associated with the female not having enough room to climb around,and/or move about due to cage restrictions. Another vital part of getting a female to pass eggs,fertile or infertile,is having a suitable laying site. A female who is not content with the laying site provided,will not lay her eggs.
And if she does so without the assistance of an appropriate laying site,she will most likely drop them sparatically throughout the cage,over an unhealthy span of time. I always found the big outside garbage cans,layed on their side,filled about half way with sand,to work best. If you insert a large PVC pipe into a matching diamater pre cut hole in the lid,she will use this as an access.Be sure the male does not bother her,which can be accomplished,if the PVC entrance is fed into the cage,by sealing off the entrance,once she's in. You'll know she's doing her buisiness when you hear the sounds of scratching,and digging,for hours on end.
Let's adress now,some of your other concerns;
Your cage dimensions are a bit small for breeding,and let me explain why; If you were to introduce the female to your male while he is in rut,he would most definiately attempt to copulate within hours of her introduction.The problem with the cage dimensions comes into play when,after days of his copulation attempts,she begins to show ill signs as a result of the act.She needs to have the chance to retreat.A way to solve this dilemma might be to put a hiding spot somewhere in the cage,such as a PVC pipe the length of her body,and big enough for only her.
The issue of companionship can vary a bit individually.Typically however,there will be one animal who will try to prove dominant.This is not solely a male issue,as I have had big females play the role,and put males in their place. Also,I think it is a matter of attitude and not size necessarily,in the dominance determination.But these roles are not usually a threat to their well being.The dominant animal will just get the top benifits,such as his/her favorite basking and sleeping spots,and maybe the first head in the food bowl.If the other invades on the dominant animals select spots or activities,they will be challenged.I find these characterisics fascinating in my collections,and when you add more animals to the group,each has it's own position.But if you do see overagressiveness on the part of the dominant animal,it's best to seperate.
No.your male will not be any less beligerant during season with the new cagemate,if anything he will be even more aggressive towards you.But he will be more content in his cage.

Disclaimer:
Do not use this writing (or forum) as your only source of reference,many good books,websites,and opinions out there,it's always best to read all the info you can find,then put together the consistancies you find,then combine them with your situation, to evaluate your answers.

Hope some of this helps,and good luck with all.
---Dino

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: Jason, : Well,let's start off with the female's possible egg binding,etc. Infertile eggs,are by nature,harder for the female to pass. A few considerations here; egg binding is typically associated with the female not having enough room to climb around,and/or move about due to cage restrictions. Another vital part of getting a female to pass eggs,fertile or infertile,is having a suitable laying site. A female who is not content with the laying site provided,will not lay her eggs. : And if she does so without the assistance of an appropriate laying site,she will most likely drop them sparatically throughout the cage,over an unhealthy span of time. I always found the big outside garbage cans,layed on their side,filled about half way with sand,to work best. If you insert a large PVC pipe into a matching diamater pre cut hole in the lid,she will use this as an access.Be sure the male does not bother her,which can be accomplished,if the PVC entrance is fed into the cage,by sealing off the entrance,once she's in. You'll know she's doing her buisiness when you hear the sounds of scratching,and digging,for hours on end. : Let's adress now,some of your other concerns; : Your cage dimensions are a bit small for breeding,and let me explain why; If you were to introduce the female to your male while he is in rut,he would most definiately attempt to copulate within hours of her introduction.The problem with the cage dimensions comes into play when,after days of his copulation attempts,she begins to show ill signs as a result of the act.She needs to have the chance to retreat.A way to solve this dilemma might be to put a hiding spot somewhere in the cage,such as a PVC pipe the length of her body,and big enough for only her. : The issue of companionship can vary a bit individually.Typically however,there will be one animal who will try to prove dominant.This is not solely a male issue,as I have had big females play the role,and put males in their place. Also,I think it is a matter of attitude and not size necessarily,in the dominance determination.But these roles are not usually a threat to their well being.The dominant animal will just get the top benifits,such as his/her favorite basking and sleeping spots,and maybe the first head in the food bowl.If the other invades on the dominant animals select spots or activities,they will be challenged.I find these characterisics fascinating in my collections,and when you add more animals to the group,each has it's own position.But if you do see overagressiveness on the part of the dominant animal,it's best to seperate. : No.your male will not be any less beligerant during season with the new cagemate,if anything he will be even more aggressive towards you.But he will be more content in his cage. : Disclaimer: : Do not use this writing (or forum) as your only source of reference,many good books,websites,and opinions out there,it's always best to read all the info you can find,then put together the consistancies you find,then combine them with your situation, to evaluate your answers. : Hope some of this helps,and good luck with all. : ---Dino

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