Re: Question regarding free roaming Ig

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Posted by Michelle B on September 27, 2001 at 08:01:04:

In Reply to: Question regarding free roaming Ig posted by Scott on September 26, 2001 at 18:51:56:

I tend to reccomend against it, although I know there are people who use this method with great success. Like xta said, It can be difficult to create proper conditions, or to ensure he will use the basking spot you have picked. The thing I worry most about is that it would be nearly impossible to 100% iguana proof an entire house, and keep it that way. They'll climb (and eventually ruin) the curtains, knock over plants & knick knacks, and some will try to eat anything that doesn't run away! It would be easy for an iguana to get hurt or eat something bad for him. I had one (who is much missed) that could get out of his enclosure at will. He would usually do it while we were at work. I never made a big effort to correct the problem, because he usually just went down the hall to bask on our bed where the sun streamed in. One day I came home to find him in the bathroom on the counter. He had knocked over the trash can. 4 days later he died, and the vet found a peice of cellophane in his stomach during autopsy. I'm sure he must have found it in the bathroom trash, and for some weird reason thought it might taste good...

I know my story is extreme, but I still miss SJ, and would like to save someone else the heartache. My solution now is to have a nice enclosure that is escape proof for during the day, and let JJ roam while I am home, and can keep an eye on him. It depends on the iguana, too, but often once they reach a large size like the one you describe they are pretty mellow, and do not need to be watched like a hawk the entire time they are out, they will usually find a nice spot like the back of the couch, and flip their arms back and chill for a while!

: Hello, I was just wondering if anyone here simply has a free roaming Iguana, or if this is not recommended etc. I was looking into adopting a large one (5.5 ft i believe) that the people couldn't afford to have anymore. I was just wondering if i set up the proper heating and light accessories if he'd be ok to free roam my home.
: Thanks in advance!
: -Scott

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: I tend to reccomend against it, although I know there are people who use this method with great success. Like xta said, It can be difficult to create proper conditions, or to ensure he will use the basking spot you have picked. The thing I worry most about is that it would be nearly impossible to 100% iguana proof an entire house, and keep it that way. They'll climb (and eventually ruin) the curtains, knock over plants & knick knacks, and some will try to eat anything that doesn't run away! It would be easy for an iguana to get hurt or eat something bad for him. I had one (who is much missed) that could get out of his enclosure at will. He would usually do it while we were at work. I never made a big effort to correct the problem, because he usually just went down the hall to bask on our bed where the sun streamed in. One day I came home to find him in the bathroom on the counter. He had knocked over the trash can. 4 days later he died, and the vet found a peice of cellophane in his stomach during autopsy. I'm sure he must have found it in the bathroom trash, and for some weird reason thought it might taste good... : I know my story is extreme, but I still miss SJ, and would like to save someone else the heartache. My solution now is to have a nice enclosure that is escape proof for during the day, and let JJ roam while I am home, and can keep an eye on him. It depends on the iguana, too, but often once they reach a large size like the one you describe they are pretty mellow, and do not need to be watched like a hawk the entire time they are out, they will usually find a nice spot like the back of the couch, and flip their arms back and chill for a while! : : Hello, I was just wondering if anyone here simply has a free roaming Iguana, or if this is not recommended etc. I was looking into adopting a large one (5.5 ft i believe) that the people couldn't afford to have anymore. I was just wondering if i set up the proper heating and light accessories if he'd be ok to free roam my home. : : Thanks in advance! : : -Scott

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