I will post my sad story of first iguanas' deaths here

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Posted by Lily on April 08, 2002 at 21:13:10:

In Reply to: Something all should know on uvb bulbs posted by Shane on April 08, 2002 at 19:15:26:

Two cents coming from a college student/herp keeper:

I will say right off the bat that I am (or used to be) one of those ignorant people that cause all these rescue homes to get so much business. Of course, I was in middle school...

Several years ago, when I was about twelve, my parents bought me two iguanas and a 100 gallon tank to keep them in. At this point, my mother had a 'quantity over quality' approach to keeping animals; we lived in the country, had 3 horses, 4 dogs, a flock of geese, upwards of 10 cats, a cockatiel and, of course, the iguanas. Being twelve years old and somewhat irresponsible, having way too many pets to take care of, and also unkowningly taking the advice of a locally owned pet store, the iguanas developed rot in their limbs from having a too-moist bark substrate and poorly cleaned environment, lost tail tips and toes, and eventually developed MBD and died in my arms BECAUSE THEY HAD AN ONLY AQUARIUM LIGHT AND NO UVB OR DIRECT SUNLIGHT. AT this point, my animals were my life and I was heartbroken because I felt like I'd done everything I possibly could for the little things and they died right in front of me.

I now keep an iguana and a pair of jacksons because they are amazing creatures and, though this is ridiculous, I almost feel like i am trying to undo the wrong that I did those poor lizards by treating mine as well as I possibly can. My point is this: People of any age are capable of being responsible if they have the right knowledge, but our society is one that discredits a lot of people because they are 'too young,' 'too immature,' etc. If somebody had sat me down ten years ago and explained in a patient, non-condescending way what I was doing to the iguanas and what I could do to ensure their health, I am sure that they would still be with me today. Those of us that have learned from our mistakes have a responsibility to keep others from having to learn from their own.

I hope this can be of some help, and that everybody forgives me for being an idiot ten years ago. Peace,
-lily

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: Two cents coming from a college student/herp keeper: : I will say right off the bat that I am (or used to be) one of those ignorant people that cause all these rescue homes to get so much business. Of course, I was in middle school... : Several years ago, when I was about twelve, my parents bought me two iguanas and a 100 gallon tank to keep them in. At this point, my mother had a 'quantity over quality' approach to keeping animals; we lived in the country, had 3 horses, 4 dogs, a flock of geese, upwards of 10 cats, a cockatiel and, of course, the iguanas. Being twelve years old and somewhat irresponsible, having way too many pets to take care of, and also unkowningly taking the advice of a locally owned pet store, the iguanas developed rot in their limbs from having a too-moist bark substrate and poorly cleaned environment, lost tail tips and toes, and eventually developed MBD and died in my arms BECAUSE THEY HAD AN ONLY AQUARIUM LIGHT AND NO UVB OR DIRECT SUNLIGHT. AT this point, my animals were my life and I was heartbroken because I felt like I'd done everything I possibly could for the little things and they died right in front of me. : I now keep an iguana and a pair of jacksons because they are amazing creatures and, though this is ridiculous, I almost feel like i am trying to undo the wrong that I did those poor lizards by treating mine as well as I possibly can. My point is this: People of any age are capable of being responsible if they have the right knowledge, but our society is one that discredits a lot of people because they are 'too young,' 'too immature,' etc. If somebody had sat me down ten years ago and explained in a patient, non-condescending way what I was doing to the iguanas and what I could do to ensure their health, I am sure that they would still be with me today. Those of us that have learned from our mistakes have a responsibility to keep others from having to learn from their own. : I hope this can be of some help, and that everybody forgives me for being an idiot ten years ago. Peace, : -lily

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