hi Kiwi + Janice! (long)

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Posted by iZ's mom on May 07, 1999 at 23:57:22:

In Reply to: KIWI, male iguana, approx. 3yrs old posted by janice bisceglio on May 07, 1999 at 14:18:27:

hi Janice!
i know just what you mean about this forum feeling like utopia! here, we can share things that friends, co-workers + sometimes family, just do *not* understand: our love of our igs!

it sounds like you let him roam free ... one of the problems with that is that he may not be staying warm enough to be digesting his food properly or to stay healthy ... igs need to be in a range of 80-95 degrees to be happy + healthy ... if nothing else, for right now, put a people heating pad (set on 'low') on the closet shelf for him ... that will prevent him from getting as cold ... being in a dark place will put him in the 'sleep mode' (which is handy to know if he ever gets hurt and you *need* to keep him still for longer amounts of time than usual)

but i would be concerned about him sleeping for 2-3 days at a time ... (course, *i* worry about everything!) ... but he needs to be eating, drinking on a daily basis, not to mention, pooping on a regular basis to stay healthy ... igs aren't *real* active anyway, usually just moving from basking spot to foodand then back to basking spot, but they *need* that activity for digestion and to stay physically fit ...

*definitely* check out web sites for free-roaming/environmental needs of igs ... you need to set up some basking spots for him ... ! ... i use a clamp utility light with a metal reflector (make *sure* to get one with a *ceramic* socket!) and a 250 watt red heat lamp ... should be able to get both these at a hardware store (Menards) or like at K-Mart for $20-$25 ... mine is attached to the ceiling, far enough away so that there is *no* way iZ can reach it (don't want him burning his tongue *again*!)

~~~~~

Shedding ... it is *very* important that his environment's humidity be high enough ... the next thing is regular soaks in the tub ... oil shouldn't hurt him but make *very* sure to not get it near his eyes, nose, mouth ... and oil should *not* be used in exclusion of humidity + baths

~~~~

Nail trimming ... seems like it's constant! if you're worried about cutting them too short, take a small flashlight + shine it thru the nail ... you'll be able to see the vein very clearly and be able to tell how short to go ... you do *not* want to cut the vein!!!! i use a people nail clippers (big), and then use an emory board to smooth out rough edges ... when iZ was smaller, i used to just file them about every night and *that* kept them short enuf ... won't work now that he's big tho! when he's in one of his "impatient" seasons, i make my goal to just get one foot/hand done per night ... he almost always has the patience for that and he also got so used to me messing with his toes, that it's no big deal to him now ...

~~~~

well, i've rambled enough ...
dandelions + head rubs for kiwi!
from iZ + mom (in iowa)

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: hi Janice! : i know just what you mean about this forum feeling like utopia! here, we can share things that friends, co-workers + sometimes family, just do *not* understand: our love of our igs! : it sounds like you let him roam free ... one of the problems with that is that he may not be staying warm enough to be digesting his food properly or to stay healthy ... igs need to be in a range of 80-95 degrees to be happy + healthy ... if nothing else, for right now, put a people heating pad (set on 'low') on the closet shelf for him ... that will prevent him from getting as cold ... being in a dark place will put him in the 'sleep mode' (which is handy to know if he ever gets hurt and you *need* to keep him still for longer amounts of time than usual) : but i would be concerned about him sleeping for 2-3 days at a time ... (course, *i* worry about everything!) ... but he needs to be eating, drinking on a daily basis, not to mention, pooping on a regular basis to stay healthy ... igs aren't *real* active anyway, usually just moving from basking spot to foodand then back to basking spot, but they *need* that activity for digestion and to stay physically fit ... : *definitely* check out web sites for free-roaming/environmental needs of igs ... you need to set up some basking spots for him ... ! ... i use a clamp utility light with a metal reflector (make *sure* to get one with a *ceramic* socket!) and a 250 watt red heat lamp ... should be able to get both these at a hardware store (Menards) or like at K-Mart for $20-$25 ... mine is attached to the ceiling, far enough away so that there is *no* way iZ can reach it (don't want him burning his tongue *again*!) : ~~~~~ : Shedding ... it is *very* important that his environment's humidity be high enough ... the next thing is regular soaks in the tub ... oil shouldn't hurt him but make *very* sure to not get it near his eyes, nose, mouth ... and oil should *not* be used in exclusion of humidity + baths : ~~~~ : Nail trimming ... seems like it's constant! if you're worried about cutting them too short, take a small flashlight + shine it thru the nail ... you'll be able to see the vein very clearly and be able to tell how short to go ... you do *not* want to cut the vein!!!! i use a people nail clippers (big), and then use an emory board to smooth out rough edges ... when iZ was smaller, i used to just file them about every night and *that* kept them short enuf ... won't work now that he's big tho! when he's in one of his "impatient" seasons, i make my goal to just get one foot/hand done per night ... he almost always has the patience for that and he also got so used to me messing with his toes, that it's no big deal to him now ... : ~~~~ : well, i've rambled enough ... : dandelions + head rubs for kiwi! : from iZ + mom (in iowa) : :

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