in addition to that (also a bit long!)

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Posted by IGUANA JOE on January 16, 2001 at 16:15:26:

In Reply to: Well. . .. . .. (KINDA long) posted by Tmom on January 16, 2001 at 15:20:31:

Tmom already gave u an excellent reply.
iguanas need an enormous amount of responsibility and time. so does EVERY exotic animal, reptile or not.
Snakes on the other hand are very easy cared critters, are fed once a week or less, and some species ar every tame.
The kingsnake is one of the favourites.

But, if in the end u venture in the iguana world...

aquariums are quickly outgrown. u'll need something big from the start to save you money in the long run, and prevent stress on the iguana (they hate changes).

Unless u have one custom made for you, u're looking to have one at LEAST 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet tall MINIMUN! It sounds expensive, but it'll last in the long run.

Glass enclosure hold up heat better, but if not cleaned and not ventilated they can smell tremendously, and "cook" the animal!

Wire mesh (plastic/rubber coated) have to be setup to stay warm enough, but also so that the iguana doesnt gets its toes and fingers stuck or torn. A mix of both (custom made) is optimal.

As iguanas get bigger (and tamer, hopefully), they can be left out free-roaming like cats in a given room.

U also have to keep in mind the proper lighting, safety from injury of the animal to house fires, etc.

HYGENE: clean and disinfect the cage EVERYDAY!!!!
i doubt a 10 year old is willing, or responsible enought to do that. this cuts down bacteria and salmonella in the animal's enviroment. In the end, it's usually the parents who are stuck doing that!

You might ask "How and why do you guys do it then?"

Well, the first couple of years are the hardest. Then everything becomes a routine, even for the animal. they learn feeding time, bathing time, nap time, faces, etc. they are like babies.
once its done right, they are rewarding animals.

Have you bought any books?
"Iguanas for Dummies" by Melissa Kaplan and/or "The Ultimate Iguana Manual" by Hatfield are excellent sources of info and cage designs.

Again..... your son may be a bit too young for an ig. Start him off with a low maintenance reptile like a snake, and see what happens.
Think about it.
Thanx for posting, and keep doing so to get more answers and opinions!

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: Tmom already gave u an excellent reply. : iguanas need an enormous amount of responsibility and time. so does EVERY exotic animal, reptile or not. : Snakes on the other hand are very easy cared critters, are fed once a week or less, and some species ar every tame. : The kingsnake is one of the favourites. : But, if in the end u venture in the iguana world... : aquariums are quickly outgrown. u'll need something big from the start to save you money in the long run, and prevent stress on the iguana (they hate changes). : Unless u have one custom made for you, u're looking to have one at LEAST 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet tall MINIMUN! It sounds expensive, but it'll last in the long run. : Glass enclosure hold up heat better, but if not cleaned and not ventilated they can smell tremendously, and "cook" the animal! : Wire mesh (plastic/rubber coated) have to be setup to stay warm enough, but also so that the iguana doesnt gets its toes and fingers stuck or torn. A mix of both (custom made) is optimal. : As iguanas get bigger (and tamer, hopefully), they can be left out free-roaming like cats in a given room. : U also have to keep in mind the proper lighting, safety from injury of the animal to house fires, etc. : HYGENE: clean and disinfect the cage EVERYDAY!!!! : i doubt a 10 year old is willing, or responsible enought to do that. this cuts down bacteria and salmonella in the animal's enviroment. In the end, it's usually the parents who are stuck doing that! : You might ask "How and why do you guys do it then?" : Well, the first couple of years are the hardest. Then everything becomes a routine, even for the animal. they learn feeding time, bathing time, nap time, faces, etc. they are like babies. : once its done right, they are rewarding animals. : Have you bought any books? : "Iguanas for Dummies" by Melissa Kaplan and/or "The Ultimate Iguana Manual" by Hatfield are excellent sources of info and cage designs. : Again..... your son may be a bit too young for an ig. Start him off with a low maintenance reptile like a snake, and see what happens. : Think about it. : Thanx for posting, and keep doing so to get more answers and opinions!

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