Okay, here's the story, i just got an Iguana on Wednesday and, well someone left it at PetsMart and PetsMart didn't know how to take care of it or they didn't have space enough for it. So they let a friends of our have it and she gave it to us for free. So now we have a 3 foot to 4 foot long Iguana in our home. She is very sweet and loves attention. I know now that she needs to be handled everyday or she will be mean. i have another question for you all how are you suppose to hold a Iguana? because last night i got her out of her box and played with her in the floor and she tried to get away so i picked her up by her stomach area she started kicking and scratching me (it now looks like i slit my wrist) and I'm afraid if i hold her tail, she will let it fall off like lizards do if they get caught be prey. At the moment she it and a plastic container because we don't have cage for her. And one last question, would it be OK to put her in a bird cage to live in? would it be safe enough?
2006-11-17 03:24:25 · 6 answers · asked by kytra 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
First- The iguana is going to DIE from a respiratory infection if you do not get her a proper cage with a heat lamp and a flourescent uvb bulb.
NO HOT ROCKS WHAT SO EVER!!!! They cause thermal burns. Iguanas are arboreal so she is beyond stressed because she cannot climb high and She is going to DIE from stress if you keep trying to handle her right now.
NO she cannot live in a bird cage.
She needs to live-
1. a cage made of plexi glass and wood and screen atleast 6 ft long by 8ft high by 5 ft deep.
2. a heat light with a basking bulb for a basking temp of 95 degrees with the rest of the cage a cooler temp.
3. a flourescent uvb bulb that emits 5 percent or higher uvb rays. i use reptisun 5.0, 10.0, and repti-glo 5.0, 8.0 They need this to absorb calcium otherwise the lizard will be dead in a few months. They get deformities without this like bowed legs, curved spines, wavy tails, jaw deformities, ect.. THe bulb needs to be replaced every 6 months and they need to be able to get within 6 to 8 inches of the bulb inorder to utilize the uvb rays. Glass and plastic filters out the rays so make sure the uvb light isnt sittin on glass or plastic.
4. Substrate that holds humidity. Alot of iguanas die from renal failure caused by improper humidity. Iguanas need atleast 75 percent. I prefer coconut fiber, its digestible, easy to spot clean, and if the iguana is female it will allow her to lay eggs so she doesnt become egg bound. The iguana also needs a large water dish that is changed daily and the iggy needs to be misted atleast twice daily.
5. A varied diet of greens, fruits, and veggies and vitamin supplementation. Iguanas are STRICT VEGETARIANS. They need collard greens, mustard greens, dandilion greens, watercress, butternut squash, carrots, apples, plums, hibiscus flowers and leaves, turnip greens, green beans, snap peas, papaya, mango, watermelon.
NO ANIMAL PROTEINS. THey have been proven to cause renal failure. THAT GOES FOR DOG FOOD TOO AND MONKEY CHOW. Whomever gives their iggy dog food and monkey chow, needs to be shot....repeatidly.
THOROUGHLY read these websites and if you cannot provide this iguana with what it needs to live, find it a new home now.
http://iguanazone.org
http://iguanaden.org
2006-11-18 15:38:00 · answer #1 · answered by lady_crotalus 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, buy her a critter cage or aquarium, she will require a heat rock and a basking lamp. Do not put her in a bird cage! They get their vitamins from the uv rays, also you can buy sprays. You can hold her and restrain the tail, it will not upset her unless you are rough, I suggest securing it for your own well being, being slapped by a iguana's tail is not fun. They will scratch to get away you just have to comfort her and allow her to position herself in your hand and figure out what works for you and her. Make sure she has a water bowl and heat rock at all times make a "cool" side of the tank and a "hot" side by placing the water on the opposite side of the rock and lamp. Hope this helps, also find a new pet shop, that is ridiculous that they didnt know how to take care of her! Good Luck!
2006-11-17 03:43:19 · answer #2 · answered by varukasalt420_247 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You need to get her a spacious enclosure. Get her a heat lamp or heat rock to lie on. Her tail will not fall off but I wouldn't hold her by it. Pick her up under her frond legs. You can take her to the vet to have her nails clipped. I would recommend building her a cage out of wood and chicken wire. she really is to big for a bird cage. Iguanas are great pets if cared for correctly.
2006-11-17 03:43:14 · answer #3 · answered by mommy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How big are these plastic containers and bird cages, if this iggy is supposedly 4 foot long??
2006-11-17 03:42:27 · answer #4 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a natural defence, scratching and tail whips.
try kingsnake.com for care sheet
handle her with one hand under her chin and other holding the base of tail not tip.
2006-11-17 08:26:43 · answer #5 · answered by the shug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer above is good except....no heat rock ever, for anything. get an under-tank heating pad.
2006-11-17 08:09:05 · answer #6 · answered by fish lips 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋