Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I havent been around for awhile, but I have a question that I thought you guys/girls could help me with. Ozzy's cage needs some redecorating done to it. He has outgrown his perch, ect. Well during a recent storm we had a nice size branch come down that is perfect for Ozzy's cage. Now I read somewhere you need to soak it in a mix of 10 to 1 bleach water. Well this thing is too big to put in my tub to soak it. So I have spent the day running outside weting it down and have now rinsed it and am letting it dry in the sun. Will this be good enough to kill all the little buggies ect? And should I polyurethane it or just leave it natural after it drys? Not sure which would be best. I will say Ozzy is doing great. He is about 2 years old or so, not sure on the age and is about 2 1/2 feet long from snout to the tip of his tail. But he still has quite the attitude. See he is my sons Iguana and seems to be quite tolerant of my son. But this summer my son spent six weeks visitation with his dad, so I took over Ozzys care %100. Well I just dont think he likes me. LOL Had a incident a couple weeks ago where he escaped. I went to feed him and he wasnt there. Well I found him sitting on top of the Monopoly game in my sons closet. When I went to get him he hissed at me, and I have never had him do that before. Was he just trying to tell me "hey leave me alone I like it up here" ? LOL But you should have seen what I looked like by the time I got him into the cage. He scratched my arms and hands up pretty bad from his claws. So any tips on getting Ozzy to chill out? I go in and talk to him, stick my hand in, ect, but he usually just tries to tail whip me and now has started this hissing thing. About the only time he is nice is when he sees me coming with the food. LOL And I will add he is usually a pretty good eater. I have a Iguana garden planted this year. LOL Collards, mustards, butternut squash, green beens and cantalope. Also was wondering if its ok to give him watermelon? I know there are really no nutrients in it, but it would be a good way for him to get his water. He doesnt seem to like to drink from his water dish. Also wondered about herbs like basil, oregano, ect.? I have a herb garden and wasnt sure if I could throw some of that into his Iggy salad or not. Well I guess I will quit rambleing now. Thanks for any help you might have. Tami

Well for your Q. I have some answers.
I have done a few treat ments to my cage furniture for different reptiles. For rocks and bath tub sized branches I like to saok them with the bleach water solution. and then let air dry. For sand stone I bake it in the oven to kill the lil buggers. But for the Industrial sized furniture I say you have the right idea.hose it down and pour your bleach solution over it for a while. A plastic kiddie pool works well for this. If you think there is still buggs in it then you could try smoke around it to scare then out. Animals will flee if threatend by a fire. Out side of this you are pretty safe I think. Just keep an eye out for the next while (week or two) for mites or ticks.
As far as your problem with Ozzy not liking you this could be a few things. You are a woman and there fore you are his by ownership not the other way around. He sees you as one of his females. he will prolly be more agressive of upset anyway when your hormones are high or it gets around that time of the month.
He can sense this. It is like that to an extent with "Chester" and my wife. He likes me the best.
With work and a sweat shirt and gloves you can tame him a bit but will prolly never totally be tame. Also he is young and has energy to spare right now.
On the great esape you had. This is common and look for it again. He likes high places and was just happy to be high up in the closet. you did the right thing by showing your authority and making him submit to you, even if it was a bit costly.
Keep up the good work and glad to hear you are doing so much to make Ozzy a good home. I also have an Ozzi but Mine is my wifes female Iggy. Here is Chester....

Hi Tami,
I put the water/bleach mix in a spray bottle. That way you can just spray the branch thoroughly and let it set for 5 minutes before rinsing it off with your hose (or in your shower).

Rick