Some more...

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Posted by JohnT on December 13, 2001 at 20:46:58:

In Reply to: Re: OK, Anne.... posted by Anne on December 13, 2001 at 16:10:54:

Yes, you need to get rid of the heat rock immediately. They are dangerous, and can cause severe burns. Also, Iguanas need to be heated from above, not through the belly. You should get a reptile heat light (floodlight)such as zoo-med. 100 watt will do. Be sure to put the bulb in a ceramic socket, with a wire protective frame around it. The light will sit on top of the tank screen at one end. 10 gallon tank is too small. Your Ig needs a heat gradient, with the basking area under the light about 90-95 degrees. The other end of the tank should be about 80 degrees. Hard to regulate this in a 10 gallon tank. Bigger is better. An adult needs a cage the size of a room. My half grown Bug is in a 6 x 6 x 3.5 foot cage. Also, your Iguana MUST have uvb lighting in addition to the heat light. You can get a zoo-med iguana light, or repti-sun. Either tube is acceptable. (They're the same except for the package) Most pet stores carry them. Put the light in a hood on top of the tank. The iguana must bask within 18" of the bulb. THIS LIGHTING IS ESSENTIAL for your ig's health. Also, you will need to keep the humidity high in the tank. A spray bottle will help. Just spritz the ig and the inside of the tank often during the day, especially in the winter.

I suspect your ig's color change is due to inadequate lighting and temps. Get these problems fixed, and you should see improvement in color and appetite. IF YOU DON'T, GET HIM TO THE VET.

I know this is a lot to deal with, but iguanas are highly specialized critters, with very specific husbandry needs. I'm including a link to Melissa Kaplan's site. It may or may not work today, because the site is being revamped on a daily basis. I don't necessarily think everything here is the last word, just as I don't think the Iguana Den site is the last word. Personally, I don't use either one's SPECIFIC diet, but parts of both. What I'm getting to is this: Read, study, read, study, ask questions, follow this board, start building an iguana book library, and learn what will work best for you.

Keep asking questions.

Regards,

JohnT

www.anapsid.org

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Thank you :) Anne 12/14/01 (0)

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: Yes, you need to get rid of the heat rock immediately. They are dangerous, and can cause severe burns. Also, Iguanas need to be heated from above, not through the belly. You should get a reptile heat light (floodlight)such as zoo-med. 100 watt will do. Be sure to put the bulb in a ceramic socket, with a wire protective frame around it. The light will sit on top of the tank screen at one end. 10 gallon tank is too small. Your Ig needs a heat gradient, with the basking area under the light about 90-95 degrees. The other end of the tank should be about 80 degrees. Hard to regulate this in a 10 gallon tank. Bigger is better. An adult needs a cage the size of a room. My half grown Bug is in a 6 x 6 x 3.5 foot cage. Also, your Iguana MUST have uvb lighting in addition to the heat light. You can get a zoo-med iguana light, or repti-sun. Either tube is acceptable. (They're the same except for the package) Most pet stores carry them. Put the light in a hood on top of the tank. The iguana must bask within 18" of the bulb. THIS LIGHTING IS ESSENTIAL for your ig's health. Also, you will need to keep the humidity high in the tank. A spray bottle will help. Just spritz the ig and the inside of the tank often during the day, especially in the winter. : I suspect your ig's color change is due to inadequate lighting and temps. Get these problems fixed, and you should see improvement in color and appetite. IF YOU DON'T, GET HIM TO THE VET. : I know this is a lot to deal with, but iguanas are highly specialized critters, with very specific husbandry needs. I'm including a link to Melissa Kaplan's site. It may or may not work today, because the site is being revamped on a daily basis. I don't necessarily think everything here is the last word, just as I don't think the Iguana Den site is the last word. Personally, I don't use either one's SPECIFIC diet, but parts of both. What I'm getting to is this: Read, study, read, study, ask questions, follow this board, start building an iguana book library, and learn what will work best for you. : Keep asking questions. : Regards, : JohnT

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