Re: iguana help

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Posted by rjmmello on June 01, 2002 at 00:18:10:

In Reply to: iguana help posted by billy on May 31, 2002 at 23:31:49:

First of all, unlike your other cool 'zards, Ig's need no animal protein. They actually can't digest it and it will end up causing major kidney problems as they get older.

Since you�re already into the whole herp thing, you probably already realize a vitamin supplement w/D3 would be a good idea (especially since this guy hasn�t been well cared for to date). . . . .and I�m also assuming you�re aware of their heat & UVB requirements. Something I try to do w/my rehab herps (heck, with ALL my herps) is give them as much natural sunlight as possible.

As for diet. . . .I feed my Ig's a 90% to 10% mix of fresh greens and fruit/veggies. The best "staple" greens are collards, turnip & mustard. Stay away from kale and spinach. Small quantities, occasionally won�t hurt but they but contains something (zinc?. . .i can't remember now) they don't metabolize & can build to toxicity). I just figure, �Why go there.� when there so many other choices. Cilantro & Parsley is good too. . . but because of the size not really practical as a staple for adult Ig's.

As for fruits & veggies. . .my staples (because they�re readily available & affordable almost any time of year) are zucchini, yellow squash, papaya (Mexican papaya, if you can get it, is just as good but bigger & cheaper), apples. Sometimes I�ll get them cantaloupe or honeydew, strawberries or blueberries. I�ve never heard of an IG that doesn�t LOVE bananas, but they�re not very nutritious. Until recently I�ve always heard to stay away from tomatoes and oranges. Lately have read some posts from many people saying the occasional orange is okay and their Ig�s love them.

Well, there�s a pretty good variety of foods to get you started. If you have specific questions search the board or come back and ask. You�ll notice, either because there�s allot of Ig�s out there, or because Ig people just tend to be chatty, that there is allot of activity on this board.

Good luck. I support anyone doing rehab w/these guys.
Rebecca (and the zoo)

: never had an iguana..i have monitors,snakes,and tegus..ran into a iguana that needs help. the tail half gone.it's not too big .looks like a few pounds..just does't look very healthy to me.it's 6 years old.thought i might give it a real neat life ,or try.i have a 25x20 foot area where i keep my reptiles..i thought i would let this lizard rome free in my rep. house..ok. what do i feed it .and any input on the tail??thanks, Billy

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: First of all, unlike your other cool 'zards, Ig's need no animal protein. They actually can't digest it and it will end up causing major kidney problems as they get older. : Since you�re already into the whole herp thing, you probably already realize a vitamin supplement w/D3 would be a good idea (especially since this guy hasn�t been well cared for to date). . . . .and I�m also assuming you�re aware of their heat & UVB requirements. Something I try to do w/my rehab herps (heck, with ALL my herps) is give them as much natural sunlight as possible. : As for diet. . . .I feed my Ig's a 90% to 10% mix of fresh greens and fruit/veggies. The best "staple" greens are collards, turnip & mustard. Stay away from kale and spinach. Small quantities, occasionally won�t hurt but they but contains something (zinc?. . .i can't remember now) they don't metabolize & can build to toxicity). I just figure, �Why go there.� when there so many other choices. Cilantro & Parsley is good too. . . but because of the size not really practical as a staple for adult Ig's. : As for fruits & veggies. . .my staples (because they�re readily available & affordable almost any time of year) are zucchini, yellow squash, papaya (Mexican papaya, if you can get it, is just as good but bigger & cheaper), apples. Sometimes I�ll get them cantaloupe or honeydew, strawberries or blueberries. I�ve never heard of an IG that doesn�t LOVE bananas, but they�re not very nutritious. Until recently I�ve always heard to stay away from tomatoes and oranges. Lately have read some posts from many people saying the occasional orange is okay and their Ig�s love them. : Well, there�s a pretty good variety of foods to get you started. If you have specific questions search the board or come back and ask. You�ll notice, either because there�s allot of Ig�s out there, or because Ig people just tend to be chatty, that there is allot of activity on this board. : Good luck. I support anyone doing rehab w/these guys. : Rebecca (and the zoo) : : : never had an iguana..i have monitors,snakes,and tegus..ran into a iguana that needs help. the tail half gone.it's not too big .looks like a few pounds..just does't look very healthy to me.it's 6 years old.thought i might give it a real neat life ,or try.i have a 25x20 foot area where i keep my reptiles..i thought i would let this lizard rome free in my rep. house..ok. what do i feed it .and any input on the tail??thanks, Billy

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