My desert iguana has abruptly quit eating. (Yes, I know, a couple of weeks ago I was trying to spruce up his diet, and now I just want him to eat anything!) He is refusing all greens--both old favorites (dandilions, bok choy, lettuce) and new offerings (endive, alfalfa sprouts, squash, etc). At first I was able to get him to accept yellow things, like thinly sliced yellow pepper, but as of today he is refusing this too. The only thing he will eat--and does so enthusiastically--is any kind of bug (mealworm, cricket, waxworm). But I know I can't just load him up on bugs.

This started maybe 5 days ago and I thought he was just being fussy but it is persisting. He is sleepy a lot and spends a lot of time in his cave. But when active, he races about like normal, and does not appear weak. He is defecating so I don't think he's impacted.

He has a UVB repti-glo 10, he gets calcium, and the heat seems to be okay--his basking rock ranges around in the 40's, up to 50 C in one spot (sorry, I'm used to Celsius!). The rest of the warm side ranges around the 30's, cooler side is mid to high 20's. Nothing has changed in the tank recently except fresh bulbs.

Is it at all possible that this is brumating? Isn't it completely out of season for a desert iguana though? Or is this possibly an illness/parasite problem and I should seek out a herp vet asap? (I'd have done so already but I need to schedule time off work in advance). I am very worried. Obviously all plans to get a new iguana are on hold until I know this one is okay. Any experience you guys have about problems with eating would be extremely helpful.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]