Re: Help...iguana arriving...still slightly confused :(

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Posted by Mr.D on June 07, 2002 at 18:24:35:

In Reply to: Help...iguana arriving...still slightly confused :( posted by Kally on June 07, 2002 at 14:15:30:

Sounds like you're getting the chemistry basics down regarding oxalates/goitrogens etc. which is definitely a good thing. Now that you have a basic understanding of that you can pretty much start comparing "lists" of vegetables and/or fruit that are good/not so good for iguanas.

You've found one of the "pitfalls" of the so-called "iguana gurus" (Ms. Kaplan, Mr.Egan, etc.) in that specific measurements are difficult to determine from any of their writings. This could very well be due to the fact that there simply are few hard and fast rules when feeding igs. This does not need to be an exact science in that 3 oz. of collard greens needs to be mixed with 1/2 oz. of zuchinni and green beans. As long as collard, mustard, turnip, and/or dandelion greens constitutes the majority of any "salad" then you're pretty much OK. A good portion of the "science" of feeding igs is knowing what/when to rotate in and out of the salad so as to keep an ig's attention believe it or not. They CAN become bored with what they're eating and lose interest. Changing ingredients occassionally is a good way to not only assure that they receive a balanced diet but that they also stay interested in what they are eating.

As far as size of food, that's pretty much eyeball/common sense. Prepare food according to the size of your ig. In other words, don't expect any ig but especially a hatchling to be able to handle whole carrots, cantaloupe, or butternut squash....;)

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: Sounds like you're getting the chemistry basics down regarding oxalates/goitrogens etc. which is definitely a good thing. Now that you have a basic understanding of that you can pretty much start comparing "lists" of vegetables and/or fruit that are good/not so good for iguanas. : You've found one of the "pitfalls" of the so-called "iguana gurus" (Ms. Kaplan, Mr.Egan, etc.) in that specific measurements are difficult to determine from any of their writings. This could very well be due to the fact that there simply are few hard and fast rules when feeding igs. This does not need to be an exact science in that 3 oz. of collard greens needs to be mixed with 1/2 oz. of zuchinni and green beans. As long as collard, mustard, turnip, and/or dandelion greens constitutes the majority of any "salad" then you're pretty much OK. A good portion of the "science" of feeding igs is knowing what/when to rotate in and out of the salad so as to keep an ig's attention believe it or not. They CAN become bored with what they're eating and lose interest. Changing ingredients occassionally is a good way to not only assure that they receive a balanced diet but that they also stay interested in what they are eating. : As far as size of food, that's pretty much eyeball/common sense. Prepare food according to the size of your ig. In other words, don't expect any ig but especially a hatchling to be able to handle whole carrots, cantaloupe, or butternut squash....;)

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