How many people actually enjoy their iguanas as they become adults?

Question

I enjoy my iguans more and more every day? I know how big they can get and the life expectancy of them. How many people decide they don't want them after they get bigger?

I run a reptile rescue and people justdon't stop to get the full facts before the buy that cute little green thing. I take in reptiles and choose their adoptees very carefully. I'm very strict who I adopt out to.

Answer 1

Mine didn't make it to adulthood because of the very bad information the pet store gave me!

Adult male iguanas can be very dangerous - especially after they have sunned themselves during the breeding season. Watch out!

Answer 2

I love my adult Iguana she is 12 years old! She has been raised since she was a baby by me, at 4 feet she sleeps in bed with us, free roams the house as she is house broken, goes out on the leash for walks, always rides in the car, comes when called sometimes, and even gets dressed up on occasion.She has no clue she is an Iguana and they don't get dangerous if raised correctly. We treat her as if she is a traditional pet or should I say child, and she acts like one. She is quite the baby of the house, very spoiled and very loved and I hope we will have another 12 years with her! We would be devastated the day something happens to her.

Answer 3

I have three loveley adult iguanas. All three came from a rescue organization. Two are 6 years old and the size of 10 month olds because they were badly neglected. On is a big, beatiful one year old who was just not wanted anymore. Of all my animals they are the most expensive to feed. They eat almost a pound of mixed vegetables and an equal amount of greens everday. Their repti-sun 5.0 light bulb costs me 50 dollars to replace twice a year and their heat lamp must run 24 hours per day.
They are wonderful to watch and I feel so privileged whenever they allow me to pet them. I wouldn't trade them for the world, but they are definitely not a childs pet or even a good pet for an adult with limited money or time to spend on them.
I find it sickening that people don't research pets before they get one. So many exotic pets are not really good pets at all.

Answer 4

We adopted a 7 year old female iguana, and we are enjoying every minute with her! She has a great personality, loves people and is just so darn smart! I just am in awe, learning a lot about iguanas from having her. I enjoy her more and more each day and are learning the signals she is giving. She lets us know when she wants to be held, to be petted, or also when to be left alone, or let out of the cage. She is awesome!!!

Answer 5

A lot of iguanas have a tendency to get testy as they get older. Many people have jobs that prevent them from handling their iguanas as often as they should be, and I've heard that iguanas can get kind of vicious without regular attention.

Also, as is the case with most of the larger types of reptiles, iguanas get big enough to cause a problem for many people. A lot of reptile owners simply aren't prepared, nor are they responsible enough, to take proper care of their pets.

Answer 6

I am glad you love your iguanas because too many people don't want them when they get too big. Actually, their dietary needs are pretty special, so if you don't know what you are doing, they won't get very old. I knew one person in Seattle who devoted an entire room to her 3 iguanas when they got big, with a special space heater (be careful it doesn't give off fumes from toxic plastic). Also you need to handle them regularly or they will get wild on you. An iguana that is not tame has a dangerous bite. I think they are beautiful but I never wanted to deal with the special diet and supplements they need. I kept water dragons instead. They don't get as big or as tame or as wild as iguanas; their bite isn't dangerous, and if you don't handle them frequently, they still remember you.

Answer 7

We had as many as four iguanas at one time. They all grew to the 4-5 feet length. They each had their own habitat because I didn't want to take the chance of them fighting. They all lived to 10-12 years. Because we also had other pets, they didn't freely roam but were let out of their habitat when supervised. I believe getting a pet is a commitment and feel that when you make that choice, you stick it out for their lifetime. The only exception would be violent behavior that could cause serious injury.

Answer 8

Too many people are irresponsible, I own one, but I'm also a reptile expert with years of experience. Mine is a sub-adult, he is difficult to handle, I can kiss him on the chin, but my husband always gets bitten. Thick leather gloves and quick reflexes are necssary for anyone who owns an adult iggy. I will seak up for the ill informed, I have met several novices that had iggys and took my advice and cared for the properly. There is sill a place for iggys in our homes. People do need to realize that their green little friend will someday demand their respect. They truly are beautiful, wonderful animals, but are not for everyone. When people do realze that their iggy is too much to handle, they really do need to step up to the plate and take care of their pet nomatter how hard it gets. Personally, I think that owning reticulated pythons is the worst idea, much more problematic than iggys will ever be.

Answer 9

i love my 3 iguanas so much even big i have one female, two males which fight if i don,t seperate them, thats the strain i have with them. I didn,t ask for the other male, my brother kinda just threw him onto me cause i had iguanas and he didn,t want his. So yeah sometimes i wish i only had one iguana. but you know what i don't have the heart to get rid of the one male i love him even though he jumps on me and scratches me.

Answer 10

i don't know why people don't want them as they get bigger but i can't wait until mines is big right now he is around 2-5 pounds and 26 inches. many people get bored with them that is probably part of it i take mine evey chance i get. and don't think that they are unteachable because they are as smart as dogs u just have to have patience when teaching them comands.