St. Louis Post-Dispatch -- a little mixed up, but they mean well :)

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Posted by Gilbert on June 08, 1999 at 17:22:26:

Green iguana isn't the pet for everyone
By Dr. Dennis Selig
Of the Biloxi Sun Herald

Are you nuts? You're considering opening your home to a companion who has green, scaly skin that is sometimes shed and left lying around?

Not only that, but the green iguana possesses two eyes that can bulge out and a third "eye'' on the top of its head; constantly sticks his tongue out; grows to more than 4 feet long; may be your house guest for 20 years; is sometimes carnivorous; could carry a disease-causing bacteria (Salmonella) that could be contagious to humans; and is not what you would call intellectually gifted.

But despite these characteristics, many animal lovers welcome this companion into their homes.

The green iguana is not the pet for everyone. They are not cuddly and playful like a puppy and they require about one hour a day of attention. Specifically, you should take them out for sunshine, let them swim in the bathtub or a wading pool, interact and gently handle them, feed them and maintain their special environment.

Most clinical problems in captive reptiles are caused by improper husbandry, management and feeding practices. Small iguanas (those weighing less than one pound) often do well in 10- or 20-gallon aquaria. Larger iguanas must be maintained in larger enclosures, such as one constructed out of vinyl-coated steel hardware cloth, a converted commercial showcase or a similar glass-fronted container.

The cage substrate should be easy to clean and nontoxic. Materials such as newspaper, butcher paper, towels or Astroturf are recommended. Cat litter, sand and gravel are not recommended; cedar wood shavings are toxic to reptiles.

Natural branches from non-resinous trees or carpeted "cat trees'' can be secured within the enclosure for your pet's enjoyment; artificial plants, a bird house or cardboard boxes make excellent hiding places.

Iguanas are natives of tropical zones and prefer an environment with high humidity and temperatures ranging from 75 to 97 degrees. The cage should be set up so that a heat gradient is established, with one area of the enclosure warmer than the other. This can be achieved by using a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a reflector hood. This heat source should be placed outside and above one end of the cage. A popular form of heat for reptiles, the "hot rock'' or "sizzle rock,'' can burn iguanas. If used, it should be covered with a sock or towel.

Green iguanas should receive about 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness each day. They should be allowed to swim or enjoy a warm shower on a daily basis.

Reptiles not only require heat and light, but they require ultraviolet light to produce vitamin D. Unfortunately, UV light from natural sunlight is partially filtered by widow glass. Thus, to provide the necessary UV light, you must take your iguana outside for a minimum of 15 minutes each day or by using full-spectrum lights.

Green iguanas are herbivorous and in the wild feet almost entirely on leaves and vines. Iguanas less that 2 years of age should be fed a diet that is 80 percent plant-based, such as flowers, vegetables and fruit; and 20 percent protein-based, such as crickets, hard-boiled eggs, tofu, earthworms, fish pellets or cat or dog food.

Older iguanas should eat 90 percent plant-based and only 10 percent protein-based food. An ideal diet includes collards, mustard greens, cabbage, broccoli leaves, okra, endive, hibiscus leaves and, to a lesser extent, figs, kiwis and shredded apples.

Like any pet that you make a member of the family, iguanas need food, clean water, a safe and comfortable environment and lots of love and attention.

Your pet's doctor is available to assist you with guidance and veterinary care that this intriguing pet might need.

X X X

(Dr. Dennis Selig is a veterinarian at Northwood Hills Animal Hospital in Gulfport, Miss.

(Do you have a question about your pet? Write to the pet doctors at the South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach, MS 39560.)

X X X

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

Here's the link to the article.

Follow Ups:

It could have been worse... Kayo 6/09/99 (0)
Re: St. Louis Post-Dispatch -- a little mixed up, but they mean well :) cirsisue 6/09/99 (0)

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: Green iguana isn't the pet for everyone : By Dr. Dennis Selig : Of the Biloxi Sun Herald : Are you nuts? You're considering opening your home to a companion who has green, scaly skin that is sometimes shed and left lying around? : Not only that, but the green iguana possesses two eyes that can bulge out and a third "eye'' on the top of its head; constantly sticks his tongue out; grows to more than 4 feet long; may be your house guest for 20 years; is sometimes carnivorous; could carry a disease-causing bacteria (Salmonella) that could be contagious to humans; and is not what you would call intellectually gifted. : But despite these characteristics, many animal lovers welcome this companion into their homes. : The green iguana is not the pet for everyone. They are not cuddly and playful like a puppy and they require about one hour a day of attention. Specifically, you should take them out for sunshine, let them swim in the bathtub or a wading pool, interact and gently handle them, feed them and maintain their special environment. : Most clinical problems in captive reptiles are caused by improper husbandry, management and feeding practices. Small iguanas (those weighing less than one pound) often do well in 10- or 20-gallon aquaria. Larger iguanas must be maintained in larger enclosures, such as one constructed out of vinyl-coated steel hardware cloth, a converted commercial showcase or a similar glass-fronted container. : The cage substrate should be easy to clean and nontoxic. Materials such as newspaper, butcher paper, towels or Astroturf are recommended. Cat litter, sand and gravel are not recommended; cedar wood shavings are toxic to reptiles. : Natural branches from non-resinous trees or carpeted "cat trees'' can be secured within the enclosure for your pet's enjoyment; artificial plants, a bird house or cardboard boxes make excellent hiding places. : Iguanas are natives of tropical zones and prefer an environment with high humidity and temperatures ranging from 75 to 97 degrees. The cage should be set up so that a heat gradient is established, with one area of the enclosure warmer than the other. This can be achieved by using a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a reflector hood. This heat source should be placed outside and above one end of the cage. A popular form of heat for reptiles, the "hot rock'' or "sizzle rock,'' can burn iguanas. If used, it should be covered with a sock or towel. : Green iguanas should receive about 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness each day. They should be allowed to swim or enjoy a warm shower on a daily basis. : Reptiles not only require heat and light, but they require ultraviolet light to produce vitamin D. Unfortunately, UV light from natural sunlight is partially filtered by widow glass. Thus, to provide the necessary UV light, you must take your iguana outside for a minimum of 15 minutes each day or by using full-spectrum lights. : Green iguanas are herbivorous and in the wild feet almost entirely on leaves and vines. Iguanas less that 2 years of age should be fed a diet that is 80 percent plant-based, such as flowers, vegetables and fruit; and 20 percent protein-based, such as crickets, hard-boiled eggs, tofu, earthworms, fish pellets or cat or dog food. : Older iguanas should eat 90 percent plant-based and only 10 percent protein-based food. An ideal diet includes collards, mustard greens, cabbage, broccoli leaves, okra, endive, hibiscus leaves and, to a lesser extent, figs, kiwis and shredded apples. : Like any pet that you make a member of the family, iguanas need food, clean water, a safe and comfortable environment and lots of love and attention. : Your pet's doctor is available to assist you with guidance and veterinary care that this intriguing pet might need. : X X X : (Dr. Dennis Selig is a veterinarian at Northwood Hills Animal Hospital in Gulfport, Miss. : (Do you have a question about your pet? Write to the pet doctors at the South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach, MS 39560.) : X X X : Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

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