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Posted by nanci on November 01, 2001 at 08:58:36:

In Reply to: general iggy stuff posted by badgrrl on October 31, 2001 at 19:48:57:

: I just want to say I really appreciate all the help from you veteran ig owners -- I wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for you guys! So, I just have a FEW more questions -- I haven't seen too many questions on here about babies....thanks in advance for your help!
: 1. What's the deal with bathing? My iggy's just a hatchling and she just jumps right out of the water (warm, like 90 degrees-ish) when I put her in -- is it too early to try to potty/bath train her?
: 2. How much are these guys supposed to eat? I just got her like four days ago, (I may be jumping the gun here) and she's been eating a little bit, but not enough to make a dent in her bowl (1/2 inch high and like 3-4 inches across). I guess I'm just nervous that I have no clue what I'm doing, but I just want to make sure she's okay.
: 3. Is there anything else special I should be doing with her? I let her out of the cage for probably a half-hour to an hour every day and I kind of keep hold of her just because I don't feel like fishing her out of the heat vent (again!!) She seems to like when I put her on my hand and let her run up my arm -- I just wanted to see if you guys did anything else fun with your iggies that doesn't scare them to death.
: 4. Is there anything else I should have in her cage? Right now I've got all the good lights (UVB bulb, ceramic heat lamp), a thermometer, a little rock/plant combo for her to bask on (in basking area), half of a tissue box with the plastic and top cut off to hide in, cotton rage kind of crumpled inside for a blankie, food bowl, and water bowl. I was just curious about water because at the pet store they were in a jungle-kinda tank with about a half-inch of water all across the bottom of the tank in addition to a whole bunch of plants and rocks and stuff.
: Okay that's it for now -- I promise! Thanks again for your help and I hope to hear more cool iggy stories!

I didn't put my iggy in the tub right away. He was more comfortable if I put some water in the sink and he sat on my hand and I poured it over him. Eventually he got too large and I transferred him and even now (l8 mos.) he still gives me trouble every so often about going in.
The neatest thing is when you put them in the tub (the water should be chest high for them) and you see them swim.

It sounds like you have all the right things in your cage. Mine loved his half-shoe box to hide in (and sleep on) when he was little. Also, the softness of his baby blanket. I used that to pick him up (when he got a bit older and tried to whip and bite -- which he doesn't do anymore) and now he sleeps with it. You will find iggies like soft things.

Don't worry about the eating. They are tiny and won't eat much right away. Do cut up the food in teeny pieces for your iggie. I used to (and still do) let the leaves whole -- they seem to like fighting with them. Also, your iggie is new and probably scared, so it will eat more when it's hungry and more comfortable. Don't get scared if you see your iggy turn dark. When mine was little, he would stress out (one reason they turn dark) just from my trying to get him out of the cage. After he was out a while, he went back to green.

Good luck with your new iggy.

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: : I just want to say I really appreciate all the help from you veteran ig owners -- I wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for you guys! So, I just have a FEW more questions -- I haven't seen too many questions on here about babies....thanks in advance for your help! : : 1. What's the deal with bathing? My iggy's just a hatchling and she just jumps right out of the water (warm, like 90 degrees-ish) when I put her in -- is it too early to try to potty/bath train her? : : 2. How much are these guys supposed to eat? I just got her like four days ago, (I may be jumping the gun here) and she's been eating a little bit, but not enough to make a dent in her bowl (1/2 inch high and like 3-4 inches across). I guess I'm just nervous that I have no clue what I'm doing, but I just want to make sure she's okay. : : 3. Is there anything else special I should be doing with her? I let her out of the cage for probably a half-hour to an hour every day and I kind of keep hold of her just because I don't feel like fishing her out of the heat vent (again!!) She seems to like when I put her on my hand and let her run up my arm -- I just wanted to see if you guys did anything else fun with your iggies that doesn't scare them to death. : : 4. Is there anything else I should have in her cage? Right now I've got all the good lights (UVB bulb, ceramic heat lamp), a thermometer, a little rock/plant combo for her to bask on (in basking area), half of a tissue box with the plastic and top cut off to hide in, cotton rage kind of crumpled inside for a blankie, food bowl, and water bowl. I was just curious about water because at the pet store they were in a jungle-kinda tank with about a half-inch of water all across the bottom of the tank in addition to a whole bunch of plants and rocks and stuff. : : Okay that's it for now -- I promise! Thanks again for your help and I hope to hear more cool iggy stories! : I didn't put my iggy in the tub right away. He was more comfortable if I put some water in the sink and he sat on my hand and I poured it over him. Eventually he got too large and I transferred him and even now (l8 mos.) he still gives me trouble every so often about going in. : The neatest thing is when you put them in the tub (the water should be chest high for them) and you see them swim. : It sounds like you have all the right things in your cage. Mine loved his half-shoe box to hide in (and sleep on) when he was little. Also, the softness of his baby blanket. I used that to pick him up (when he got a bit older and tried to whip and bite -- which he doesn't do anymore) and now he sleeps with it. You will find iggies like soft things. : Don't worry about the eating. They are tiny and won't eat much right away. Do cut up the food in teeny pieces for your iggie. I used to (and still do) let the leaves whole -- they seem to like fighting with them. Also, your iggie is new and probably scared, so it will eat more when it's hungry and more comfortable. Don't get scared if you see your iggy turn dark. When mine was little, he would stress out (one reason they turn dark) just from my trying to get him out of the cage. After he was out a while, he went back to green. : Good luck with your new iggy.

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