He is only about 6 inces long and his color is a dark gray. He eats very well but will not grow.
2007-03-22 14:22:21 · 14 answers · asked by carrie 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
alot of the info given is bad info. green iguanas will grow around 8 to 10 inches a year the smallest iguana I am aware of is the Exuma Island iguana and it grows to a full length of around 17 inches. iguanas will grow no matter their tank size etc. malnutrition will decrease size but not inhibit growth completely. more than likely they will get extremely sick. I would love to see a pic just to say yes that is a so and so iguana. I would bet if it is an iguana its a very rare iguana and certainly not a green iguana. try and find a picture on google images or something like that. I would more lilkely think he is not an iguana at all. but that should not affect your love for your little guy. it may affect how you take care of it though.
2007-03-22 16:09:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to a vet, gray colloring is a sign of stress and illness, he may have parasites but I can't really say what is wrong without more info on how you are keeping it. Here is some info that may help for now, I give to all Iguana owners. If you give more info I will try to help more.
They should be feed:
45% leafy greens such as escarole, dandelions, endive, mustard, and collards, NO lettuces or spinach! They aren't good for him.
45% hard mixed veggies such as an orange flesh squash the harder the better(acorn,pumpkin,butternut... fresh green beans, fresh peas, parsnip, and green bell peppers, NO broccoli or cauliflower, or avocado!
10% fruit such as figs, papaya, mango, pear, and berries. NO bananas, only very rarely as a treat.
NO ANIMAL PROTEIN such as bugs, meat, eggs, or cheese!
Cage size:
Minimum length (side to side): 2-3 x
Minimum depth (front to back): 1.5-2 x
Minimum height: 1.5-2 x
Temperature:
They need a basking area of 95-100 and normal temps of 75-85. NO heat rocks!
Lights:
They need a 5.0 UV light.
Hydration:
They should also get baths everyday or so. And should have a water bowl in their cage.
Vet:
You should take Your Iguana for regular vet checkups to make sure it is in good health. Reptiles can have internal parasites that can harm them so you should make sure the vet checks that.
Here are some good sites, the first one was recomended by my vet.
http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html
www.greenigsociety.org
www.triciaswaterdragon.com/igcare.htm
http://www.baskingspot.com/iguanas/igbook/
http://www.reptilecare.com/IgCare.htm
2007-03-23 00:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its probably a nutrition problem. They will grow even if kept in a small enclosure. Is he getting lots of fresh leafy greens, fruits and other vegetables? What about his lighting - is getting UV light? That's important in bone growth although that probably wouldn't keep him small. I've been told that very young iguanas sometimes need a protein source and will eat insects or even meat. You want to be careful about giving him protein, keep it to 10% of his diet. Any more than that and they can start experiencing problems. Its hard to say what could be wrong without knowing what kind of food he's getting.
2007-03-22 21:30:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out http://www.drkreger.com
http://www.anapsid.com
Does he have a UVA/UVB light? Are you supplementing his diet with calcium? They absolutely need these two actions implemented to assist growth, healthy bones, stimulate appetite, and promote psychological health. Iguanas will get a deadly bone disorder, can't recall the name right now.
I give my babes at minimum 1/2 t. of calcium carbonate each, a day. My vet sells it. Her phone no. is 330-948-2002 I bought my last two bottles in December for less than $20.00 with shipping. I have 1/2 a bottle left. And I have 2 large iguanas.
Dr. Kreger Melissa Kaplan (the web sites) have tons of information and other links off their sites.
Check out my other answers about iguanas. If you treat them right and understand them, you will be amazed how awesome they are.
2007-03-24 02:27:12 · answer #4 · answered by shell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure it is a common iguana?
What are you feeding the poor thing?
If he is only 6 inched long after a year & he is dark gray, something is very, very wrong.
2007-03-22 21:35:15 · answer #5 · answered by Bad M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, i would like to point out that the hibiscus ARE good for you iguana just as some one said. But not giving them hibiscus isn't going to stunt their growth. How big of a cage do you have him in? Try moving him to a larger cage. This should give him more room to grow and move and hide. Good Luck. Also if his color is dark he may be stressed, that is one of the signs for being stressed out.
2007-03-22 21:59:49 · answer #6 · answered by Firefly 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
what kind of iguana??? i used to have an iguana iguana and i had to get a bigger cage a heating rock and i started feeding him hibiscuis flowers and then he started growing so fats.......hint: if he sheds he is growing
2007-03-22 21:27:16 · answer #7 · answered by babygurl 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
he probably has bone disease or kidney failure take him to the vet quick because my girl iguana died and she went though the same sickness your explaining
2007-03-24 14:19:46 · answer #8 · answered by lizzie #1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi well it depends sometimes it takes and while before they actually start to grow and it also depends on how much greens you feed him. What size is your tank the bigger the tank the faster they will grow hope this helped thanks
2007-03-22 21:29:16 · answer #9 · answered by joeyh233 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well if you want it to get bigger you would have to get a bigger cage. It can't get bigger if it is a small cage for him.
2007-03-23 02:12:48 · answer #10 · answered by Prject manyian 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋