A novel...by Me....;)

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Posted by Mr. D on April 07, 2002 at 23:58:39:

In Reply to: Re: New Iguana owner (long sorry) posted by Tami on April 07, 2002 at 14:49:01:

Can y'all tell I haven't been able to sit in front of this thing for a long time? ....; )

((The grocery store in my small town doesnt carry collard greens so I will have to find one that does.))

Have you asked the produce manager if they would carry collard, mustard, turnip and/or dandelion greens? They sometimes will if they know there's a customer looking for them....

((I am also giving him apple, carrot, bannana, but not as often on those foods.)) Easy on these as the banana especially is high in phosphorous and all three are high in natural sugars. Use them more for treats than anything else. Once/twice a week is fine. You're definitely correct in that variety in a diet is the key. Once you can get that down you shouldn't have to worry as much about Ca/P ratios...

((He has a uvb light, she said she bought one specifically for reptiles.)) When was this bulb put into service? What brand of bulb? bear in mind that fluo tubes need tobe replaced evey 6 months at the longest.

((There is also a heat rock but after all the reading I have done on those I dont think we will be turning that on anymore.)) Cut the cord on it and use it as decoration or put it under the basking source to absorb heat.

((I still need to do more reading on his light requirements.)) David Krughoff has a neat booklet addressing reptile lighting for sale on his site www.myiguana.com - I highly recommend it.

((But I did take this on with the thought in mind I know how irresponsible my son is and the lizard will probably be my pet.)) Excellent plan and definitely a good realization to have going into this.

((Then he takes off behind the entertainment center, I then called for hubbys help. LOL We caught him, boy is he fast.)) Yep, sounds like an iguana you've got there alright....;)

((He/she does have very pretty aqua color on the cheek face area.)) As you get more into this you will come across certain foods that may enhance coloration a bit. Fluker Farms is famous for creating this marketing scheme.

((At what age can you tell the sex? I did find pictures on the net that showed how the males have the little bumps on the inside of there inner thighs, is that a accurate way to tell?))
Sexing usually can't take place visually until approximately 1 1/2 to 2 years. Probing can be done earlier by a qualified vet if you REALLY need to know. Pronounced femoral pores are definitely an indication of male gender.

((Oh and I did read up on the salmonella. I purchased some of the gel hand sanitizer to keep next to his cage so we can sanitize our hands immediatley.)) Excellent call on your part and one I whole heartedly recommend for everyone. Thorough hand washing with soap and water ***AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC***, (you'll quickly understand why I made a point to emphasize that if/when you trip over the whole HSUS/API/state legislative argument) will also help eliminate salmonella. (My gosh, what are we going to do if they try to eliminate cutting boards or *gasp* CHICKEN)

((I was also wondering, I seen pictures on the net where people have there iguanas in there swimming pools. Is this ok to do?)) I think the jury is still out on this one as far as the effect of chlorine on iguanas. I know that many people DO allow it, including some of the regs here. They also advocate rinsing the ig off in clean non-chlorinated water immediately afterwards. Personally, I have two concerns with this. 1.) I don't know what happens if you leave an ig in a chlorinated pool for too long. You may bleach the "green" right off him/her and suddenly have an "albino" ig (please tell me you know I'm kidding) The serious concern, much like ANY time you bring an iguana outside, remember how quick the little guy/gal was to duck in under the entertainment center? These lil' green torpedos are even quicker when you add water... Can YOU swim and then run fast enough before Spike-to-be- renamed-later would be out of the pool and either up a tree/down the street/into the woods etc ?

Keep up the research. I would also highly recommend getting a copy of James Hatfield's Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual (did I get the title right this time, Bon?) Definitely worth having on hand both for initial knowlege as well as a reference manual later on.

Keep reading up on diet as well. Drop us a line directly with any Q's if you'd rather. It's always good to see someone not only asking the right questions but actually LISTENING/COMPREHENDING the advice/answers. We'll sit here and answer q's from people such as yourself all day because we know that you're actually listening to the answers.

Keep up the good work, Tami....And don't forget to check out HerpSupplies.com, read up on the ActiveUV and PowerSun mv bulbs for UVB, consider a radiant heat panel for the new enclosure (find them at HerpSupplies as well as other places) and think about getting an ultrasonic humidifier from some place liek a Wal or K-mart.... If hubby is as handy as you say, he'll be able to deal with the little tricks necessary to make that work easily as an enclosure humidifier....;)

The Iguana Spot

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: Can y'all tell I haven't been able to sit in front of this thing for a long time? ....; ) : ((The grocery store in my small town doesnt carry collard greens so I will have to find one that does.)) : Have you asked the produce manager if they would carry collard, mustard, turnip and/or dandelion greens? They sometimes will if they know there's a customer looking for them.... : ((I am also giving him apple, carrot, bannana, but not as often on those foods.)) Easy on these as the banana especially is high in phosphorous and all three are high in natural sugars. Use them more for treats than anything else. Once/twice a week is fine. You're definitely correct in that variety in a diet is the key. Once you can get that down you shouldn't have to worry as much about Ca/P ratios... : : ((He has a uvb light, she said she bought one specifically for reptiles.)) When was this bulb put into service? What brand of bulb? bear in mind that fluo tubes need tobe replaced evey 6 months at the longest. : ((There is also a heat rock but after all the reading I have done on those I dont think we will be turning that on anymore.)) Cut the cord on it and use it as decoration or put it under the basking source to absorb heat. : ((I still need to do more reading on his light requirements.)) David Krughoff has a neat booklet addressing reptile lighting for sale on his site www.myiguana.com - I highly recommend it. : ((But I did take this on with the thought in mind I know how irresponsible my son is and the lizard will probably be my pet.)) Excellent plan and definitely a good realization to have going into this. : ((Then he takes off behind the entertainment center, I then called for hubbys help. LOL We caught him, boy is he fast.)) Yep, sounds like an iguana you've got there alright....;) : ((He/she does have very pretty aqua color on the cheek face area.)) As you get more into this you will come across certain foods that may enhance coloration a bit. Fluker Farms is famous for creating this marketing scheme. : ((At what age can you tell the sex? I did find pictures on the net that showed how the males have the little bumps on the inside of there inner thighs, is that a accurate way to tell?)) : Sexing usually can't take place visually until approximately 1 1/2 to 2 years. Probing can be done earlier by a qualified vet if you REALLY need to know. Pronounced femoral pores are definitely an indication of male gender. : : ((Oh and I did read up on the salmonella. I purchased some of the gel hand sanitizer to keep next to his cage so we can sanitize our hands immediatley.)) Excellent call on your part and one I whole heartedly recommend for everyone. Thorough hand washing with soap and water ***AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC***, (you'll quickly understand why I made a point to emphasize that if/when you trip over the whole HSUS/API/state legislative argument) will also help eliminate salmonella. (My gosh, what are we going to do if they try to eliminate cutting boards or *gasp* CHICKEN) : ((I was also wondering, I seen pictures on the net where people have there iguanas in there swimming pools. Is this ok to do?)) I think the jury is still out on this one as far as the effect of chlorine on iguanas. I know that many people DO allow it, including some of the regs here. They also advocate rinsing the ig off in clean non-chlorinated water immediately afterwards. Personally, I have two concerns with this. 1.) I don't know what happens if you leave an ig in a chlorinated pool for too long. You may bleach the "green" right off him/her and suddenly have an "albino" ig (please tell me you know I'm kidding) The serious concern, much like ANY time you bring an iguana outside, remember how quick the little guy/gal was to duck in under the entertainment center? These lil' green torpedos are even quicker when you add water... Can YOU swim and then run fast enough before Spike-to-be- renamed-later would be out of the pool and either up a tree/down the street/into the woods etc ? : Keep up the research. I would also highly recommend getting a copy of James Hatfield's Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual (did I get the title right this time, Bon?) Definitely worth having on hand both for initial knowlege as well as a reference manual later on. : Keep reading up on diet as well. Drop us a line directly with any Q's if you'd rather. It's always good to see someone not only asking the right questions but actually LISTENING/COMPREHENDING the advice/answers. We'll sit here and answer q's from people such as yourself all day because we know that you're actually listening to the answers. : Keep up the good work, Tami....And don't forget to check out HerpSupplies.com, read up on the ActiveUV and PowerSun mv bulbs for UVB, consider a radiant heat panel for the new enclosure (find them at HerpSupplies as well as other places) and think about getting an ultrasonic humidifier from some place liek a Wal or K-mart.... If hubby is as handy as you say, he'll be able to deal with the little tricks necessary to make that work easily as an enclosure humidifier....;)

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