An Interesting (hopefully) Thought for the Day: Ig Breedings

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Posted by IGUANA JOE on June 12, 2002 at 11:21:21:

To start, I have a small question: how long have iguanas been captive bred? 10 years? More/Less?

Anyways, it has occurred to me how odd it is that the kingpin of all lizards has never been bred to 'create' new color phases. With the exception of the albino iguana, (and the fluke blue-diamond) there is no variation of color/characteristics.

A couple of monitor lizards, gekoes (leopard, fat t'ed, and some others) have been managed to show more brilliant coloration and differences. It is not uncommon to change certain characteristics of captive bred animals. Just look at the goldfish! And leopard gekoes are the best example in the reptile world. Pythons and other snakes are also bred to create new phases of colorations.

Yet for the lizard that started it all, none of this took place. Maybe because until now, the mortality rate in captivity was astounding, as well as the rate of abandonment. Both are still high im sure, but not as high as 5-10-15 years ago.

Now dont' get me wrong, I am 100% pro-adopting unwanted homeless iguanas, but there are times when in the back of my head I wonder why iguana breeders/farms do not attempt at somehow generate truly attractive (as in colorfully unique) specimens. Could we see some day a truly "blue-diamond" iguana? Or iguanas that can even get to 8 feet?

The problem is, unlike leopard geckoes, iguanas are not as easy to breed and keep in captivity to actually attempt such a feat.

I am not talking about genetic manipulation by laboratory means, but by natural selection. The strongest, biggest, most colorful males bred with strongest, biggest, colorful females, and so on and so forth. Eventually something has got to come up right?

I know that there are thousands of iguanas just as special waiting to be adopted, and that such an idea is a waste of time and money, but you've got to admit it would be interesting to see it happen.

Anyways, I love to give out controversial topics. Reply some thoughts or opinions, just keep 'em clean to avoid getting the forum shut down or in trouble.

Best regards,

I J

Follow Ups:

An Interesting (indeed) Thought for the Day: Ig Breedings Flavia Guimaraes 06/12/02 (0)
Re: An Interesting (hopefully) Thought for the Day: Ig Breedings Mr. D 06/12/02 (0)
I'd say cornsnakes are the genetic mutation champs... Mark 06/12/02 (0)

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: To start, I have a small question: how long have iguanas been captive bred? 10 years? More/Less? : Anyways, it has occurred to me how odd it is that the kingpin of all lizards has never been bred to 'create' new color phases. With the exception of the albino iguana, (and the fluke blue-diamond) there is no variation of color/characteristics. : A couple of monitor lizards, gekoes (leopard, fat t'ed, and some others) have been managed to show more brilliant coloration and differences. It is not uncommon to change certain characteristics of captive bred animals. Just look at the goldfish! And leopard gekoes are the best example in the reptile world. Pythons and other snakes are also bred to create new phases of colorations. : Yet for the lizard that started it all, none of this took place. Maybe because until now, the mortality rate in captivity was astounding, as well as the rate of abandonment. Both are still high im sure, but not as high as 5-10-15 years ago. : Now dont' get me wrong, I am 100% pro-adopting unwanted homeless iguanas, but there are times when in the back of my head I wonder why iguana breeders/farms do not attempt at somehow generate truly attractive (as in colorfully unique) specimens. Could we see some day a truly "blue-diamond" iguana? Or iguanas that can even get to 8 feet? : The problem is, unlike leopard geckoes, iguanas are not as easy to breed and keep in captivity to actually attempt such a feat. : I am not talking about genetic manipulation by laboratory means, but by natural selection. The strongest, biggest, most colorful males bred with strongest, biggest, colorful females, and so on and so forth. Eventually something has got to come up right? : I know that there are thousands of iguanas just as special waiting to be adopted, and that such an idea is a waste of time and money, but you've got to admit it would be interesting to see it happen. : Anyways, I love to give out controversial topics. Reply some thoughts or opinions, just keep 'em clean to avoid getting the forum shut down or in trouble. : Best regards, : I J

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