Re: to M.Eguro,Joe III and Harry's Dad

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Allie's Mom on April 16, 1999 at 12:17:51:

In Reply to: to M.Eguro,JoeIII and Harry's Dad posted by Tim on April 15, 1999 at 15:51:15:

Welcome Tim! It's great to see a young person trying so hard to take good care of his pet.
The reason so many people are on this forum is because they have seen many pets suffer and die. It happened to me too. We did everything pet store people, breeders, and even the vet told us to do. The food, heat and light advice we got killed our pet. It may take years for a problem to develop, but it will. I am so glad you have taken the time to look into good care. What is your rhino iggy's name? I think they are awesome. You said you hope you and your pet can grow up together - if you don't mind my asking, how old are you? Now for my 2 cent's worth:

1) HEAT - I don't think a heating blanket is safe inside the cage. I use a human heating pad (from a drugstore - that is cheaper than the reptile heating pads and are the same thing)UNDER the tank. How hot is your cage? Do you have two thermometers? One should be near the basking spot (branch to climb on, with heat lamp ABOVE the cage, or enclosed so he can't get at it. My igg has tried to wear the searing hot bulb as a hat when I leave the lid open!), the other at the other end. Then you can see what thermal gradient you have. The 'thermal gradient' is the difference in temperature from one end of the cage to the other. They need the hot area to digest their food, because it might rot in their tummies, or they won't eat much. When they get too hot they can move away to the "cooler" area so they can always be comfortable.
2)LIGHT I don't say "full spectrum" anymore because a regular full-spectrum light is not what is needed. I now call them "high UV-B" lights so I don't have to argue with pet store people. You need a light with a UV-B output of 5.0, and as Harry's Dad says this is VERY important, or your ig WILL get Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). There are only 2 or 3 lights made like this, Vit-a-lite 5.0 and Iguana Lite from Zoo-Med I think.
3)You say you are afraid he will hurt his nose on the tank if you try to pick him up. Does this mean he runs around and hits his nose when he's upset? If he does this, then he is telling you he is unhappy with his cage. When you find the problem (no branches; too cold; too small; etc.)and fix it, he won't do this any more.
The advice others have given you on taming is great and will work. I hope you do read Melissa Kaplan's feeding section, and don't forget the vitamins!
Good Luck, and please let us know how you're doing. (Iggy's are very expensive to get set up.)

Follow Ups:

Thanks, Allie's Mom Tim 4/16/99 (6)
- Re: ESU bulb meagan 4/16/99 (1)
  - Re: ESU bulb Tim 4/17/99 (0)
- That explains it! *grin* + a message from me Iguanamomma 4/16/99 (3)
  - Re: That explains it! *grin* + a message from me Tim 4/17/99 (2)
    - Tim......you need to check our family photos......... Harry's Dad 4/17/99 (0)
    - Re: That explains it! *grin* + a message from me Allie's Mom 4/17/99 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Welcome Tim! It's great to see a young person trying so hard to take good care of his pet. : The reason so many people are on this forum is because they have seen many pets suffer and die. It happened to me too. We did everything pet store people, breeders, and even the vet told us to do. The food, heat and light advice we got killed our pet. It may take years for a problem to develop, but it will. I am so glad you have taken the time to look into good care. What is your rhino iggy's name? I think they are awesome. You said you hope you and your pet can grow up together - if you don't mind my asking, how old are you? Now for my 2 cent's worth: : 1) HEAT - I don't think a heating blanket is safe inside the cage. I use a human heating pad (from a drugstore - that is cheaper than the reptile heating pads and are the same thing)UNDER the tank. How hot is your cage? Do you have two thermometers? One should be near the basking spot (branch to climb on, with heat lamp ABOVE the cage, or enclosed so he can't get at it. My igg has tried to wear the searing hot bulb as a hat when I leave the lid open!), the other at the other end. Then you can see what thermal gradient you have. The 'thermal gradient' is the difference in temperature from one end of the cage to the other. They need the hot area to digest their food, because it might rot in their tummies, or they won't eat much. When they get too hot they can move away to the "cooler" area so they can always be comfortable. : 2)LIGHT I don't say "full spectrum" anymore because a regular full-spectrum light is not what is needed. I now call them "high UV-B" lights so I don't have to argue with pet store people. You need a light with a UV-B output of 5.0, and as Harry's Dad says this is VERY important, or your ig WILL get Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). There are only 2 or 3 lights made like this, Vit-a-lite 5.0 and Iguana Lite from Zoo-Med I think. : 3)You say you are afraid he will hurt his nose on the tank if you try to pick him up. Does this mean he runs around and hits his nose when he's upset? If he does this, then he is telling you he is unhappy with his cage. When you find the problem (no branches; too cold; too small; etc.)and fix it, he won't do this any more. : The advice others have given you on taming is great and will work. I hope you do read Melissa Kaplan's feeding section, and don't forget the vitamins! : Good Luck, and please let us know how you're doing. (Iggy's are very expensive to get set up.)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]