Help with new iguana

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Posted by Sus on June 17, 2002 at 14:00:39:

I am iguana-sitting for one year, and we picked up the 5 year old male yesterday. To prepare for our guest, I have been reading the "Ultimate Owner's Manual". The iguana (SVL 27") came in a 3 foot long aquarium with one fluorescent light (not labled what type) and one heat rock. He was allowed access to a sunroom during warm days (northern mid west part of country). We plan on building a better habitat for him in the next week or two, but to slightly improve his life, we build an extension to his aquarium--4 feet tall, wood with 1/4" wire mesh. We bought a heat lamp, installed it on top, and screwed in a basking limb about 12" under the lamp. I am worried because: 1) He is still spending most of his time on the aquarium floor and must be cold, 2) He climbs the wire mesh and then jumps down--I think he caught a toe because he is missing a nail and bleeding (is the wire mesh dangerous?) and, 3) He has not eaten since we got him (2 days). I have offered collards, rose petal, zucchini, and commercial iguana food. Did we change too much at once for him? I'm especially worried about damaging his toes on the wire. Any suggestions to get us by until we can build a better habitat?

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Re: Help with new iguana Scott 06/20/02 (0)
Re: Help with new iguana Scott 06/20/02 (0)
Don't give that iguana back! Kate 06/17/02 (0)
Re: Help with new iguana Lily 06/17/02 (0)

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: I am iguana-sitting for one year, and we picked up the 5 year old male yesterday. To prepare for our guest, I have been reading the "Ultimate Owner's Manual". The iguana (SVL 27") came in a 3 foot long aquarium with one fluorescent light (not labled what type) and one heat rock. He was allowed access to a sunroom during warm days (northern mid west part of country). We plan on building a better habitat for him in the next week or two, but to slightly improve his life, we build an extension to his aquarium--4 feet tall, wood with 1/4" wire mesh. We bought a heat lamp, installed it on top, and screwed in a basking limb about 12" under the lamp. I am worried because: 1) He is still spending most of his time on the aquarium floor and must be cold, 2) He climbs the wire mesh and then jumps down--I think he caught a toe because he is missing a nail and bleeding (is the wire mesh dangerous?) and, 3) He has not eaten since we got him (2 days). I have offered collards, rose petal, zucchini, and commercial iguana food. Did we change too much at once for him? I'm especially worried about damaging his toes on the wire. Any suggestions to get us by until we can build a better habitat?

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