|
|
 Posted 1/27/2007 10:00:47 AM |
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/12/2008 8:08:23 AM
Posts: 39,
Visits: 97
|
|
| Hi I was wondering if an iguana would make a good, rewarding pet. I am not very expirienced with large lizards, so would it make a good choice?, what are its needs etc?  Liam Burrough Nelspruit South Africa
|
|
|
|
| Posted 1/27/2007 11:04:23 AM |
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/13/2012 5:10:47 AM
Posts: 711,
Visits: 506
|
|
| Hello, Iggies can make great pets but do require specialized care.A large cage, and lots of UVB light.The uvb bulbs are expensive but that is a must have with an iguana or it will die.Unless of course it can get sunlight everyday(not through glass either but direct outside sunlight)..Lots and LOTs of fresh greens and veges..Here is a really good board to go to for any more questions you might have... http://members2.boardhost.com/greenigsociety/
----------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
| Posted 1/27/2007 11:24:43 AM |
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 5/19/2008 8:49:29 PM
Posts: 429,
Visits: 489
|
|
| Iguanas can make very good pets, for those who are truly dedicated. They are not a good starter lizard. Keeping an iguana is a long term commitment. Here are some things to consider. Iguanas get big very fast. That cute little baby will out grow a 75 gallon tank in almost 2 years and can eventualy reach 6ft. They have very powerful jaws and can inflict bad bites. Not to mention their claws, and their tails, which they can whip you with if they feel threatened. Males can be very territorial and many become very agressive during mating season. Keeping an adult in a fish tank is not acceptable. They need a very big enclosure. I'm' talking 5 to 6ft high 4 ft deep and 7 to 8 ft long. With plenty of branches to climb. They need to be exposed to sunlight or UV bulbs to stay healthy. They need fresh greens daily. No animal protein. It takes time and patience to gain an iguana's trust. There is no rushing this process. Unfortunately, iguanas have become a cheap and disposable pet. The majority of iguanas sold die because of improper care or neglect or are abandoned because the novelty of having one wore off. You may want to start with an eaisier tropical lizard before you take on an iguanna. How about a green water dragon? They have similar care requirements and usually grow to be 3 to 4 ft and are more even tempered. You can find plenty of info on the web. Better, yet buy a good book with up to date info. Consider this very carefully.
1 Sandiego Gophersnake (Loki}
1 western hognose{Lilith}
1 everglades ratsnake{Gypsy)
1 Children's python {Delilah}
1 Mexican black kingsnake ( Corona)
1 Bull snake (Toro) 2 Crested geckos (Merlin and Jezebell)
|
|
|
|
| Posted 1/27/2007 3:21:14 PM |
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/13/2012 5:10:47 AM
Posts: 711,
Visits: 506
|
|
I dont know what you can get in South Africa but you might consider an Argentine tegu.They get as large as an iguana but are more even tempered if handled plenty when young.They dont seem to have that breeding season temper..They still require UVB and do need a large cage 8x2x2 or free roaming.And they need lots of humidity or at least a big humid hide.They grow Very fast so any glass tank wont last but a few months..But it might be something to look into...Beware, dont get confused with the Columbian tegus which are much harder to tame...
----------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
| Posted 3/20/2007 7:49:36 PM |
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/22/2007 7:25:05 PM
Posts: 91,
Visits: 189
|
|
Hi! I think that iguanas are just so rewarding, but only if you strictly adhere to EVERY one of its requirements. Iguanas are not forgiving of common hobbyist mistakes. Also, keep in mind that a well cared for one can live 10 years or longer. However, if you're up to it, iguanas are, I believe, the most rewarding and sweet lizrds. Here is a good source to get you started: The Ultimate iGUANA MANUAL, BUT jAMES hATFIELD. Good luck!
Geckos and all other reptiles are amazing!
|
|
|
|
| Posted 4/6/2007 5:25:59 AM |
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/7/2007 1:46:34 AM
Posts: 2,
Visits: 43
|
|
| Hello there! An iguana is a great choice for a pet...especially for a herp. I have five myself..all of which live outside in a mesh cage my father built for me...We put some dried mango branches in there and they ar all set!!My biggest one is five years old and four feet...a real beauty. Feel free to chat anytime..i am a reptile enthusiast and need some herp loving people to talk to. Being a girl it is hard to make friends so i joined here today to see whats what. I have been capturing and housing reptiles since i was two and i gotta say i LOV IT!!! Ask me anything if you need to. Ill be waiting... Michelle
L.L
|
|
|
|
| Posted 4/6/2007 5:29:19 AM |
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/7/2007 1:46:34 AM
Posts: 2,
Visits: 43
|
|
| Hey, Im new here and just wanted to say hello....iv got tons of herps in my house and am never bored with them. Arent reptiles beautiful creatures??!!Ive been catching and chasing since two years old. Maybe we could chat sometime. being a girl is hard when your into lizards and snakes.
L.L
|
|
|
|
| Posted 4/6/2007 10:28:52 AM |
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 2/6/2008 10:29:46 AM
Posts: 1,150,
Visits: 2,352
|
|
Wow...I'm surprised I haven't posted on this thread before now, especially since I'm the one who suggested it get pinned. Anyway... Obviously, iguanas can be good pets...to anyone who has the space and time to deal with them. The real question is: is an iguana a good pet for you? Without rehashing what others have said about their size, cage requirements, etc, I do want to touch on their behavior. Iguanas are arguably the closest thing to owning a parrot in the reptile world. I don't mean they're related; only that they are much more visually-attuned to their environment. They see colors while most herps don't, they are easily stressed by new things placed in the room, and you have to gain their trust almost as you would a parrot. As babies, iguanas (like any small lizard) are dominatd by the "flight or fight" mentality. Their reaction to you is almost always going to be to run away. You have to spend time with them every single day in order for them to get use to you hanlding them. You can't just expect them to be nice like a leopard gecko or a beardie. When they are around 1.5 to 2 yrs old, iguanas are entering sexual maturity (almost like us going through puberty). This is where things get interested. Lots of hormonal changes taking places often result in a very moody iguana that will display its dewlap, tail-whip, and threaten to bite anything that comes near it. Most people look at this creature they just spent over a year taming down, and think, "Oh its just a phase. He'll grow out of it" and they'll just leave it alone. WRONG! This is the worst thing you could do. That daily interaction you did while it was a baby? Keep doing it! The more interaction you give it during this time, the more tractable it will remain for future breeding seasons. Yeah, that's right...the iguana will probably go through this every year. But like I said, with regular, intense interaction, it will gradually become less extreme with each passing year. One method to better help with male iguana aggression is to have it neutered. In any case, you want to baby your iguana, because you do not want a 6 ft irritable lizard that hates people. It'll just be a bother dealing with it, and likewise, you'll have trouble finding another home for it. Yes, a green iguana is a commitment, not just a cool pet. If you can't meet its needs, look for something else.
Ophiuchus' "hot' topics: one's failure to do research before getting a pet herp (and the improper care methods that often ensue), savannah monitor diet, almost anything regarding green iguanas, wild herps taken from the wild to be pets, redundant & meaningless threads posted over & over, and the resurrection of dead threads!
Current Pets
1.0 ball python "Jasper"
0.0.1.hybrid milksnake "Tortilla"
Experience with: Pantherophis genus, Candoia genus, ball pythons, giant hognose snakes, US pond sliders, African sideneck turtles, most gecko species, frilled dragons, glass lizards, blue-tongued skinks, green iguanas ------------
|
|
|
|
| Posted 5/2/2007 8:04:21 AM |
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/27/2007 5:00:03 PM
Posts: 20,
Visits: 32
|
|
If you have the time space and money then they make great pets but males do get moody and can cause a great deal of damage to you and them selves.
♥Lys♥
|
|
|
|
| Posted 6/12/2007 11:09:53 PM |
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/12/2007 10:57:58 PM
Posts: 1,
Visits: 5
|
|
| Kudos to all of the people that have contributed to this thread I have found it to be one of the most "educated from experience" informative and friendly threads that I have ever read on Iggy's I was given one as a very sick baby and had the pleasure of sharing my life with him for around 10 years I found him to be the most intelligent responsive lizard that I have ever interacted with ( I tiotally agree with the parrot analogy) and he was a real beauty However-I would never get another one as I just do not have the energy and the time anymore to meet their requirements to ensure their health and well being I have many fond memories and great pics Of Spike and I miss him very much Sandy
|
|
|
|