Re: Nice to hear from you!!!

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Posted by Gilbert on February 07, 1999 at 14:23:59:

In Reply to: Re: Nice to hear from you!!! posted by Lesha on February 07, 1999 at 13:21:45:

: What is a "Nature's heat rock"? We have plain old flat rocks in our turtle enclosure that are under the heat lamp, is this the same? Is it made special?

You guessed it! :) Just like the ones that mother nature has placed around the world, that heat up in the sunlight.

: Is it better than regular heat rock? Would it be fine for me to use a plain old rock under a heat lamp?

Yes...definately YES. Heat rocks are evil! You'll probably come across many "heat rock's are bad" stories on the net, and here in this forum. Just get them a nice rock to lay on, NOT a heat rock. Repeat after me...."Heat rocks are deadly, heat rocks are deadly," ;-)

: Whew....enough questions?
: I want to know all I can before I get my baby.
: And by the way a few more just because I'm here....
: Can you train them to go to the bathroom in their water dish? Should they have a water dish available in their enclosure or is it
: better to take them out and soak them? And I were to take them out to soak them, how often should I do that? Every day?

Yes, yes, yes, and every day. Even though Gilbert doesn't use his water dish (as a potty), some people's Igs do. I have a shallow (about 3 inch deep, 18 inch diameter) dog food pan in Gilbert's cage, that he can splash around in. (I don't have a bathtub) I also mist him a few times a day. He seems to enjoy it.

: Hmmmmm...
: One more...
: For a small iguana, what would be the normal amount of food to feed them? I've read all the good foods to feed, I'm just not sure how
: much to feed.
: Thanks!
: Lesha

The vet told me (and Gilbert the PIGuana agrees) as much as they want. I feed Gilbert about a cup or so at a time, usually three times a day. (he's a growing boy) and sometimes a little snack at night too if he's ben good. :) Some feed more, some less. I think the important thing (at least in my opinion) is that if he's hungry, he has fresh food to eat. Some days he eats when he wants to, some days he's racing me to the "food shelf" and has a mouthful of chow, before I can set the dish down.

Kinda play it by ear. And remember that when you first bring junior home, he may not eat right away. It will take him/her some time to relax and get used to his new house before he decides he's hungry. Just make sure to keep his food fresh and available. Better to throw away a bunch of food, then to serve dried-up food. Another thing that I noticed, was that for awhile in the beginning, Gilbert wouldn't eat when I was around. I'd have to put his food down, and leave. Maybe it's a modesty thing?!? Now he races to the dish, and has no qualms about eating and even pooping in front of company! ;-)

Good luck, and stick around. You'll meet some great people (including little green people) here. And if you're not careful, you might just learn something.

(just remember to stay away from Iz! He's a troublemaker! Every time his mom goes out, he types messages here..probably rummages through the fridge, and chases the cat too!)

Gilbet

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: : What is a "Nature's heat rock"? We have plain old flat rocks in our turtle enclosure that are under the heat lamp, is this the same? Is it made special? : You guessed it! :) Just like the ones that mother nature has placed around the world, that heat up in the sunlight. : : Is it better than regular heat rock? Would it be fine for me to use a plain old rock under a heat lamp? : Yes...definately YES. Heat rocks are evil! You'll probably come across many "heat rock's are bad" stories on the net, and here in this forum. Just get them a nice rock to lay on, NOT a heat rock. Repeat after me...."Heat rocks are deadly, heat rocks are deadly," ;-) : : Whew....enough questions? : : I want to know all I can before I get my baby. : : And by the way a few more just because I'm here.... : : Can you train them to go to the bathroom in their water dish? Should they have a water dish available in their enclosure or is it : : better to take them out and soak them? And I were to take them out to soak them, how often should I do that? Every day? : Yes, yes, yes, and every day. Even though Gilbert doesn't use his water dish (as a potty), some people's Igs do. I have a shallow (about 3 inch deep, 18 inch diameter) dog food pan in Gilbert's cage, that he can splash around in. (I don't have a bathtub) I also mist him a few times a day. He seems to enjoy it. : : Hmmmmm... : : One more... : : For a small iguana, what would be the normal amount of food to feed them? I've read all the good foods to feed, I'm just not sure how : : much to feed. : : Thanks! : : Lesha : The vet told me (and Gilbert the PIGuana agrees) as much as they want. I feed Gilbert about a cup or so at a time, usually three times a day. (he's a growing boy) and sometimes a little snack at night too if he's ben good. :) Some feed more, some less. I think the important thing (at least in my opinion) is that if he's hungry, he has fresh food to eat. Some days he eats when he wants to, some days he's racing me to the "food shelf" and has a mouthful of chow, before I can set the dish down. : Kinda play it by ear. And remember that when you first bring junior home, he may not eat right away. It will take him/her some time to relax and get used to his new house before he decides he's hungry. Just make sure to keep his food fresh and available. Better to throw away a bunch of food, then to serve dried-up food. Another thing that I noticed, was that for awhile in the beginning, Gilbert wouldn't eat when I was around. I'd have to put his food down, and leave. Maybe it's a modesty thing?!? Now he races to the dish, and has no qualms about eating and even pooping in front of company! ;-) : Good luck, and stick around. You'll meet some great people (including little green people) here. And if you're not careful, you might just learn something. : (just remember to stay away from Iz! He's a troublemaker! Every time his mom goes out, he types messages here..probably rummages through the fridge, and chases the cat too!) : Gilbet

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