Re: For Ivan (or anyone who can answer)

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Posted by Ivan on July 30, 2001 at 07:43:14:

In Reply to: For Ivan (or anyone who can answer) posted by Sharon on July 29, 2001 at 23:07:36:

First of all, I was very happy to see the pics of Iggy when he was little. I dont know exactly how old Freddy is, but when I got him, he was only a little bit bigger than Iggy is in the "Teeny Tiny Guy" picture. So my new estimate is that Freddy is about 6 months old...and NOT 8 Months. Thanks.

As for your questions...I've been reading a lot about these little guys and have learned a few things about their bodies. For one, the spot on the top of their heads is like a "3rd" eye. Basically, it detects changes in light from above. For example, a bird flying over-head that might want to eat him would be detected by this EYE and he would run for cover. Ive read stories about pet Iguanas on their owners shoulder buggin out because a plane flew over them (at 30000 feet) and they detected it. If you notice, when you try to pick him up from the top it startles him. Pretty cool gizmo.

The darker head has a few theories. Yeah, Freddy has always had it. I read that they get darker to absorb more heat. Its like when you walk in the sun with an open black umbrella, it absorbs the heat like crazy. Maybe the enclosure is not warm enough. Another one is that maybe the heat lamp is too close to his basking spot. I think thats what happened to Freddy. Like Iggy, he usually hangs out with his head up closer to the heat. So it may be like a heat burn. Lastly, he may not have shed properly on his head, and what you are seeing is a few layers of old skin encrustated to his head (which may also be happenning to Fred). The other day he shed a huge chunk of dark head skin off. It was no Joke. And his head got a bit lighter.

Thats it...hope this helps. What are you feeding him, since I see he is growing pretty quickly??
-Ivan

: I looked over the pics you posted of Freddy (He is very sweet looking!!) I was wondering about his facial coloration...he seems to have a dark head and some blackish areas - including a spot on the top of his head that looks like a little black circle? (Not sure if these are just photo 'tricks' or if his head is colored like that)

: I was just wondering if you had a vet look at the coloration and if anyone had any answers as to what causes color differences like those as compared to other iguana colors...I am curious because Iggy has similar markings, and while my vet said it was fine - I am wondering if anyone has info on mhy or how that occurs in some animals...

: Thanks for whatever help you can offer here...

The Official Freddy Site

Follow Ups:

Excellent - thank you (more) Sharon 07/30/01 (5)
- helping shed... Tmom 07/30/01 (1)
  - **he he he** Sure he's gonna LOVE that!!! Sharon 07/30/01 (0)
- Re: Excellent - thank you (more)...sounds good Ivan 07/30/01 (2)
  - I know what you mean... Sharon 07/30/01 (1)
    - Re: I know what you mean... THANKS ! ! ! ! ! Ivan 07/31/01 (0)

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: First of all, I was very happy to see the pics of Iggy when he was little. I dont know exactly how old Freddy is, but when I got him, he was only a little bit bigger than Iggy is in the "Teeny Tiny Guy" picture. So my new estimate is that Freddy is about 6 months old...and NOT 8 Months. Thanks. : As for your questions...I've been reading a lot about these little guys and have learned a few things about their bodies. For one, the spot on the top of their heads is like a "3rd" eye. Basically, it detects changes in light from above. For example, a bird flying over-head that might want to eat him would be detected by this EYE and he would run for cover. Ive read stories about pet Iguanas on their owners shoulder buggin out because a plane flew over them (at 30000 feet) and they detected it. If you notice, when you try to pick him up from the top it startles him. Pretty cool gizmo. : The darker head has a few theories. Yeah, Freddy has always had it. I read that they get darker to absorb more heat. Its like when you walk in the sun with an open black umbrella, it absorbs the heat like crazy. Maybe the enclosure is not warm enough. Another one is that maybe the heat lamp is too close to his basking spot. I think thats what happened to Freddy. Like Iggy, he usually hangs out with his head up closer to the heat. So it may be like a heat burn. Lastly, he may not have shed properly on his head, and what you are seeing is a few layers of old skin encrustated to his head (which may also be happenning to Fred). The other day he shed a huge chunk of dark head skin off. It was no Joke. And his head got a bit lighter. : Thats it...hope this helps. What are you feeding him, since I see he is growing pretty quickly?? : -Ivan : : I looked over the pics you posted of Freddy (He is very sweet looking!!) I was wondering about his facial coloration...he seems to have a dark head and some blackish areas - including a spot on the top of his head that looks like a little black circle? (Not sure if these are just photo 'tricks' or if his head is colored like that) : : I was just wondering if you had a vet look at the coloration and if anyone had any answers as to what causes color differences like those as compared to other iguana colors...I am curious because Iggy has similar markings, and while my vet said it was fine - I am wondering if anyone has info on mhy or how that occurs in some animals... : : Thanks for whatever help you can offer here...

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