"I recently got a juvenile green iguana, but he hasnt been eating could he be stressed from the move?

Question

I'm a first time owner, but i know about the calcium/phosphorus ration 2:1 and that i cant feed him cabbage, spinach and things like that, he looks to be healthy, but im just really worried about him. please help me!!

Answer 1

It could be just adapting to its' new home, I've had a few that didn't eat awhile after being move. After it settles in it will start eatting again. Do you have a UV light and a basking spot? If you don't you need to get them.

Here's some other info if you don't know it already.

They need:

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
http://www.greenigsociety.org
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/igcare.htm
http://www.baskingspot.com/iguanas/igboo...
http://www.reptilecare.com/IgCare.htm

Answer 2

I'd say its stress from the move, they can go a long time w/out eating.
Add some basil into the mix of good staple greens and veggies it may help him/her eat more. Add some frozen shaved seedless watermelon onto top of food too help w/ hydration. Try a little bit of baby food also, winter squash, something like that, organic is better but make sure it has just the ingredient nothing else added to the food.
Apples too much acid - appetite suppressant if you give very little and not very often, it should be treated as a treat only.
Head of lettuce/iceburg lettuce is not what you should feed an iguana. Romaine can be added to staple greens, very little occassionally, it has no nutrience in it its mainly just water.
Since I don't know your igs SVL/STL are you sure he/she isn't in breeding season? Igs usually stop eating during this time.
I'd still have your ig checked over by a herp/reptile vet who knows about igs just to make sure he/she doesn't have parasites, mites or any other nasty little thing, just to be on the safe side.
If you don't have some sites I recommend reading and looking over:
http://www.greenigsociety.org/
http://www.iguanaden.org/
http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html
A great book to read and have on hand:
Iguanas for Dummies by Melissa Kaplan
If you want to join any Yahoo groups for iguana help, these sites are very helpful, again only if you wish to join:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BabyIguana/
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/IguanaDen/

Answer 3

Some Iguanas ARE NOT VEGETARIANS. How old is your lizard? Are you its first home? Check with who ever you got it from and find out when it was fed last. I have a bearded dragon who eats 3 to 4 times a week. I alternate live giant meal worms with fruit and hardy greens. Sometimes criketts also. If your Iguana is passing stool you can wait a few days to see if it will then eat. Also it has just arrived in a new enviorment and needs to adjust. IT YOUR IGUANA SEEMS ILL NOT JUST INDIFFERENT THAN i WOULD ADVISE TAKING IT TO A EXOCTIC ANIMAL VET. Good luck and enjoy your new pet.

Answer 4

Yes, he is probably very stressed. Try feeding him some iguana treats like apples or some other fruit. If he doesn't eat it just leave him alone for several days. If he doesn't eat after 3-6 days go to a vet he may have worms or a disease. My guess is that he is just stressed, keep the room he is in quiet and try not to disturb him.
Good Luck to Iggy!

Answer 5

Give him time to settle into his new home. It can take a week or more. Feed him the correct diet (see the links above to anapsid.org) and make it very appealing by adding bits of cantaloupe, grapes, or strawberries. Just offer fresh daily and he'll soon get hungry. Don't forget vitamins!
Have you had him checked for parasites yet? Important to do so ASAP.

Answer 6

Make sure it has a UVB light for iguanas(not desert reptiles) and not a "fish tank"light and a reptile-not human- heat pad . Not a heat rock! Make sure food is cut up to the size of it's mouth and NO iceberg lettace. Good fresh food is best and be creative to put at least 3 different color foods together. Change food and wash dish everyday.

Answer 7

Yes he can,my nephew has one 6 foot long and if he moves furniture around it gets stressed and won't eat

Answer 8

feed him really light, try ice berg lettuce, also try a pinky mouse, the movement of the mouse will get him going.make sure his back legs arent stiff,i lost a beauty blue head once,iggs are funny,sometimes they need no care at all, and sometimes they are as fussssy as a 6 month old....