uh oh, another newbie....

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

Posted by Troy on March 27, 2001 at 01:27:41:

Hello everyone! Wow did I ever get lucky finding this forum. It has become extremely invaluable to me and the newest addition to our family. I have been reading and reading for the past 2 weeks, absorbing as much information as possible. If I had known that housing an iguana was so indepth, I would have had second thoughts. BUT, I'm attached now, and I'm too afraid that another owner wouldn't be able to care for my ig properly.
Ok, here's what happened: I've been looking into bearded dragons for a few months, having recently become bored with my previous 'hobby' of saltwater fish. Well, I was at a local hardware store (yes hardware store) where they carry a few fish, birds and reptiles. Sitting alone in a 10 gallon aquarium was a healthy baby iguana. I felt so bad for it, I returned the following day to purchase her after doing some brief research. (I know, I'm bad for rescuing an animal that I knew nothing about).
I can honestly say that my world has turned upside down. For the better. I am constantly watching her, caring for her, studying, trying to make her life better. Although I do agree with Mr D, she should be in a tree somewhere in South America, not here in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin.
So, I would like some opinions, as I do respect everyone's here, you all seem to know what you're talking about.
I've estimated her age at 6-9 months, she is approximately 5 inches svl.
I say she because the femoral pores are very small, barely even noticable. I suspect they're too small to even sex at this age.
Her temporary home is a 55 gallon aquarium, several branches for climbing, large shallow water dish, checkbook box with the ends cut off for sleeping in at night, white daytime heat lamp, red night heat lamp, and I will be adding the uvb in 2 weeks.
I'm a bit iffy on her diet. I'm concerned about calcium, because I use no additive. I've read that obtaining calcium through foods is the best way to go. Her salad that I've been giving her consists of: Endive, mustard greens, turnip greens, parsnip, green beans, alph alpha, and pears or strawberries. I have yet to find collard greens. She eats regularly, however not as much as I'd like to see her eat.
She isn't very tame yet, I figure since she's only been here 2 weeks, so I'm taking my time, I don't want to stress her out.
Ok, I've rambled enough. I look forward to hearing from everyone, and I'm glad I found this forum.
I'll have pictures within the next couple of days :0)

Follow Ups:

WELCOME fellow iguana slave... xta 03/27/01 (3)
- Careful posting that pic... You may be flogged!! LOL n/p MarkB 03/27/01 (2)
  - they just posed for the pic together ~ they aren't *Housed* together!!! nm *Big* difference!!!! *grin* ... iZ's mom 03/27/01 (1)
    - I know LOL, just pokin' fun at few folks! Check my pics, a few posts up!np MarkB 03/27/01 (0)
Welcome to the forum... JohnT 03/27/01 (0)
Re: uh oh, another newbie.... iZ's mom 03/27/01 (0)
Pretty good so far . Travis 03/27/01 (0)
Re: everyone was a "NEWBIE" sometime...more Jason G 03/27/01 (9)
- hey now... I'm pretty far north too! MarkB 03/27/01 (8)
  - That Makes Two Of Us! Candy 03/27/01 (7)
    - And three of us!! Allysmom 03/28/01 (0)
    - Glad I'm not alone in this one :-) MarkB 03/27/01 (5)
      - Mark, here's our setup.... JohnT 03/27/01 (4)
        
        WOW, I really feel for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!! (more) xta 03/27/01 (2)
        
        Re: Generator Sue2 03/27/01 (0)
        
        Re: WOW, I really feel for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!! (more) Craig Loose 03/27/01 (0)
        
        WOW, I really feel for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!! (more) xta 03/27/01 (2)
        
        Re: Generator Sue2 03/27/01 (0)
        
        Re: WOW, I really feel for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!! (more) Craig Loose 03/27/01 (0)
Welcome! And get ready for years of fun and mischief!! MarkB 03/27/01 (2)
- awwwwww! Chuck looks like iZ did when he was little!!!! *CUTE*!!! ... nm iZ's mom 03/27/01 (1)
  - Thanks :-) I will take a few new pics when I get home tonight. n/p MarkB 03/27/01 (0)
welcome troy! Kimberley 03/27/01 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Hello everyone! Wow did I ever get lucky finding this forum. It has become extremely invaluable to me and the newest addition to our family. I have been reading and reading for the past 2 weeks, absorbing as much information as possible. If I had known that housing an iguana was so indepth, I would have had second thoughts. BUT, I'm attached now, and I'm too afraid that another owner wouldn't be able to care for my ig properly. : Ok, here's what happened: I've been looking into bearded dragons for a few months, having recently become bored with my previous 'hobby' of saltwater fish. Well, I was at a local hardware store (yes hardware store) where they carry a few fish, birds and reptiles. Sitting alone in a 10 gallon aquarium was a healthy baby iguana. I felt so bad for it, I returned the following day to purchase her after doing some brief research. (I know, I'm bad for rescuing an animal that I knew nothing about). : I can honestly say that my world has turned upside down. For the better. I am constantly watching her, caring for her, studying, trying to make her life better. Although I do agree with Mr D, she should be in a tree somewhere in South America, not here in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. : So, I would like some opinions, as I do respect everyone's here, you all seem to know what you're talking about. : I've estimated her age at 6-9 months, she is approximately 5 inches svl. : I say she because the femoral pores are very small, barely even noticable. I suspect they're too small to even sex at this age. : Her temporary home is a 55 gallon aquarium, several branches for climbing, large shallow water dish, checkbook box with the ends cut off for sleeping in at night, white daytime heat lamp, red night heat lamp, and I will be adding the uvb in 2 weeks. : I'm a bit iffy on her diet. I'm concerned about calcium, because I use no additive. I've read that obtaining calcium through foods is the best way to go. Her salad that I've been giving her consists of: Endive, mustard greens, turnip greens, parsnip, green beans, alph alpha, and pears or strawberries. I have yet to find collard greens. She eats regularly, however not as much as I'd like to see her eat. : She isn't very tame yet, I figure since she's only been here 2 weeks, so I'm taking my time, I don't want to stress her out. : Ok, I've rambled enough. I look forward to hearing from everyone, and I'm glad I found this forum. : I'll have pictures within the next couple of days :0)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

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