Older Press: These lizards lounge and get lots of love

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Wes von Papine�u on January 29, 2001 at 11:41:40:

BEACON HERALD (Akron, Ohio) 01 April 00 These lizards lounge and get lots of love
The next best thing to living in rain forest, for Stow iguanas, is living with kind couple
When Susan Harrell and Jay Myrick returned home after a weekend trip, they were horrified to discover that their apartment house had been damaged by a serious fire. ``The kids! Where are the kids?'' they said, running into the gutted building and unlocking the door to their dark, waterlogged apartment.
Their unit in the Bridgewater Park Apartments in Stow was deserted, so they ran to the complex manager's office, and were greeted by Eric Stahl, the head of maintenance. Stahl had been expecting the couple's return, and he anticipated their concern.
``The kids are all right,'' Stahl said immediately. Stahl, like many of the residents of the complex, uses the word ``kids'' to describe the pair of giant green iguanas that Harrell and Myrick keep as pets.
The aftermath of the March 19 fire shed a little light on the challenges of caring for iguanas, exotic animals that are increasingly popular as companions. Rescuing the large lizards and caring for them properly was a little more complicated than for the other pets in the damaged building.
``We think they are wonderful pets. But you shouldn't get one unless you understand what you're doing,'' Harrell said, adding that the couple ``spends a fortune'' to provide proper care for their reptiles.
A room of their own
The story began 2 1/2 years ago, when the couple purchased Nicodemus, a 5-foot-long male, from a person who'd grown tired of caring for him. Then, last year, they adopted the much smaller female Scheherazade after animal control officers in Cleveland found her locked in an apartment unit, apparently abandoned by her owners.
Iguanas, snakes and other reptiles often are sold in aquariums or cages, but Harrell and Myrick believe their animals need more space than their cage provides. The iguanas are kept in their own bedroom, which has a separate heater and humidifier to provide an environment closer to their natural habitat in tropical rain forests.
``They don't bark or shed, and they go to the potty once a day in a special pan,'' Harrell said. They eat a vegetarian diet consisting mainly of greens, beans and various other vegetables.
Not exactly portable
Although they look like miniature dragons, the iguanas are usually harmless, Harrell said. Picking them up and carrying them requires a certain technique, and people who don't know what they're doing could be bitten (the teeth are short, but sharp) or slapped by the tails, which are strong enough to send small animals flying.
The iguanas weren't the only pets victimized by the fire, which destroyed or damaged 18 units. Four cats and two ferrets survived the blaze, which killed one dog. The iguanas were being watched by a relative who stopped by regularly to feed and care for them, but was not present when a gas grill in another unit ignited the fire at about 4 a.m.
Harrell said neighbors told Stow firefighters about the iguanas, but they were reluctant to approach the pets when they saw how big they were. Stahl entered the unit, showed Chief Al Harper how to pick up the lizards, and the two men carried Nicodemus and Scheherazade to safety. The animals were kept in the complex's clubhouse until Harrell and Myrick returned that evening.
Harrell, Myrick and their pets are all doing fine in a different apartment in the Bridgewater complex. The iguanas apparently got a bit chilled during the experience, but not enough to cause any obvious harm.
Proper care important
Sandra Stafford, editor of the pet owners magazine Iguana News, said the reptiles regularly suffer at the hands of owners who don't know how to care for them properly. The biggest problems involve keeping the iguanas in small enclosures -- any aquarium of less than 50 gallons is too small, she said -- and feeding them an improper diet.
In addition, iguanas can't live unless they are exposed to enough ultraviolet light, which is needed to help them produce vitamin D. Although special lights help, iguanas must be taken outdoors periodically and exposed to sunlight.
The biggest problems for humans, she said, is that iguanas carry salmonella bacteria, which can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old. People should always wash their hands with antibacterial soap after handling iguanas, Stafford said.
Harrell said the companionship of her iguanas is worth the extra work and expense. ``They make especially good apartment pets because they are so quiet and clean,'' she said. ``But if you think you can just put them in an aquarium and ignore them, you shouldn't bother.''

These lizards lounge and get lots of love

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: BEACON HERALD (Akron, Ohio) 01 April 00 These lizards lounge and get lots of love : The next best thing to living in rain forest, for Stow iguanas, is living with kind couple : When Susan Harrell and Jay Myrick returned home after a weekend trip, they were horrified to discover that their apartment house had been damaged by a serious fire. ``The kids! Where are the kids?'' they said, running into the gutted building and unlocking the door to their dark, waterlogged apartment. : Their unit in the Bridgewater Park Apartments in Stow was deserted, so they ran to the complex manager's office, and were greeted by Eric Stahl, the head of maintenance. Stahl had been expecting the couple's return, and he anticipated their concern. : ``The kids are all right,'' Stahl said immediately. Stahl, like many of the residents of the complex, uses the word ``kids'' to describe the pair of giant green iguanas that Harrell and Myrick keep as pets. : The aftermath of the March 19 fire shed a little light on the challenges of caring for iguanas, exotic animals that are increasingly popular as companions. Rescuing the large lizards and caring for them properly was a little more complicated than for the other pets in the damaged building. : ``We think they are wonderful pets. But you shouldn't get one unless you understand what you're doing,'' Harrell said, adding that the couple ``spends a fortune'' to provide proper care for their reptiles. : A room of their own : The story began 2 1/2 years ago, when the couple purchased Nicodemus, a 5-foot-long male, from a person who'd grown tired of caring for him. Then, last year, they adopted the much smaller female Scheherazade after animal control officers in Cleveland found her locked in an apartment unit, apparently abandoned by her owners. : Iguanas, snakes and other reptiles often are sold in aquariums or cages, but Harrell and Myrick believe their animals need more space than their cage provides. The iguanas are kept in their own bedroom, which has a separate heater and humidifier to provide an environment closer to their natural habitat in tropical rain forests. : ``They don't bark or shed, and they go to the potty once a day in a special pan,'' Harrell said. They eat a vegetarian diet consisting mainly of greens, beans and various other vegetables. : Not exactly portable : Although they look like miniature dragons, the iguanas are usually harmless, Harrell said. Picking them up and carrying them requires a certain technique, and people who don't know what they're doing could be bitten (the teeth are short, but sharp) or slapped by the tails, which are strong enough to send small animals flying. : The iguanas weren't the only pets victimized by the fire, which destroyed or damaged 18 units. Four cats and two ferrets survived the blaze, which killed one dog. The iguanas were being watched by a relative who stopped by regularly to feed and care for them, but was not present when a gas grill in another unit ignited the fire at about 4 a.m. : Harrell said neighbors told Stow firefighters about the iguanas, but they were reluctant to approach the pets when they saw how big they were. Stahl entered the unit, showed Chief Al Harper how to pick up the lizards, and the two men carried Nicodemus and Scheherazade to safety. The animals were kept in the complex's clubhouse until Harrell and Myrick returned that evening. : Harrell, Myrick and their pets are all doing fine in a different apartment in the Bridgewater complex. The iguanas apparently got a bit chilled during the experience, but not enough to cause any obvious harm. : Proper care important : Sandra Stafford, editor of the pet owners magazine Iguana News, said the reptiles regularly suffer at the hands of owners who don't know how to care for them properly. The biggest problems involve keeping the iguanas in small enclosures -- any aquarium of less than 50 gallons is too small, she said -- and feeding them an improper diet. : In addition, iguanas can't live unless they are exposed to enough ultraviolet light, which is needed to help them produce vitamin D. Although special lights help, iguanas must be taken outdoors periodically and exposed to sunlight. : The biggest problems for humans, she said, is that iguanas carry salmonella bacteria, which can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old. People should always wash their hands with antibacterial soap after handling iguanas, Stafford said. : Harrell said the companionship of her iguanas is worth the extra work and expense. ``They make especially good apartment pets because they are so quiet and clean,'' she said. ``But if you think you can just put them in an aquarium and ignore them, you shouldn't bother.''

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]