Re: You don't even have an iguana ?...i said I didn't...

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ]

Posted by Axe on January 11, 2002 at 22:38:06:

In Reply to: Re: You don't even have an iguana ?...i said I didn't... posted by Kristin on January 11, 2002 at 21:33:41:

Like Mr. D said, by posting on a public forum, he is making it the business of all those who read the forum.

I'm behind Mr. D on this one. The state of the Iguana "trade" is terrible. Breeding only adds to this problem.

I have two Iguanas (1 male, 1 female). The male was originally a "prize" at a fairground stall, and the female was a "classroom pet" which became too big for the classroom and rejected.

Given that most petshops will give away an Iguana FREE if you spend more than a certain amount on that Iguana's initial home, this shows the level of respect that most shops & prospective Iguana owners show for these animals.

While reproduction of these animals may, eventually, help the wild populations of these animals from being depleted, at the moment it's simply adding to the species' exploitation.

Pet shops are either unable, or uneducated enough, to distinguish between wild-caught and captive bred iguanas, often mixing the two without knowing or caring about the possibility of parasites, or other diseases which could be transmitted from dirty enclosures & wild-caught Iguanas to healthy captive-bred Iguanas.

Most of the iguana owners I know are caring for iguanas that were previously abused, neglected, rejected, or otherwise "second hand". That is not to put down carers of hatchling & juvenile iguanas. Some people prefer to get iguanas at a young age in order to imprint them for human interactivity, which is a good thing (in theory). Those owners who know the potential size these animals are able to reach, and their future care requirements as adults are good owners. The majority of people who purchase these young animals are NOT good owners. Often these young iguanas grow up to be released (especially in Florida - which is illegal btw), simply "allowed to escape" (which is also illegal), otherwise eventually passed on to others, or simply kept in such inadequate conditions that they die at a very young age.

If "Leo" is caring for these future iguanas for their whole lives, or ensuring that they will be placed in GOOD homes and can guarantee they will be well cared for their whole lives, then good for him! That's great to be able to ensure that they're going to lead good, healthy and flourishing lives. If not, which seems to be the case, then as Mr. D states & implies he is only adding to an already serious problem.

John

Leopard Geckos Diary @ Axe's Reptile Site!

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Like Mr. D said, by posting on a public forum, he is making it the business of all those who read the forum. : I'm behind Mr. D on this one. The state of the Iguana "trade" is terrible. Breeding only adds to this problem. : I have two Iguanas (1 male, 1 female). The male was originally a "prize" at a fairground stall, and the female was a "classroom pet" which became too big for the classroom and rejected. : Given that most petshops will give away an Iguana FREE if you spend more than a certain amount on that Iguana's initial home, this shows the level of respect that most shops & prospective Iguana owners show for these animals. : While reproduction of these animals may, eventually, help the wild populations of these animals from being depleted, at the moment it's simply adding to the species' exploitation. : Pet shops are either unable, or uneducated enough, to distinguish between wild-caught and captive bred iguanas, often mixing the two without knowing or caring about the possibility of parasites, or other diseases which could be transmitted from dirty enclosures & wild-caught Iguanas to healthy captive-bred Iguanas. : Most of the iguana owners I know are caring for iguanas that were previously abused, neglected, rejected, or otherwise "second hand". That is not to put down carers of hatchling & juvenile iguanas. Some people prefer to get iguanas at a young age in order to imprint them for human interactivity, which is a good thing (in theory). Those owners who know the potential size these animals are able to reach, and their future care requirements as adults are good owners. The majority of people who purchase these young animals are NOT good owners. Often these young iguanas grow up to be released (especially in Florida - which is illegal btw), simply "allowed to escape" (which is also illegal), otherwise eventually passed on to others, or simply kept in such inadequate conditions that they die at a very young age. : If "Leo" is caring for these future iguanas for their whole lives, or ensuring that they will be placed in GOOD homes and can guarantee they will be well cared for their whole lives, then good for him! That's great to be able to ensure that they're going to lead good, healthy and flourishing lives. If not, which seems to be the case, then as Mr. D states & implies he is only adding to an already serious problem. : <font face="verdana" size="2"><b>John</b> : <hr><a href="http://ph33r.dyndns.org/leopardgeckodiary.shtml"><img src="http://ph33r.dyndns.org/banners/diarybanner-468x60.jpg" border="0"> : Leopard Geckos Diary @ Axe's Reptile Site!</font></a>

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ]