Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok.. I got my iguana a year ago this february.

for the first 8 months probably I kept him in a 55 gallon tank, he didn't seem to like it much so I made him a new enclosure that is about 5.5 feet tall (a converted bookshelf/dvd shelf with doors).

I fear that my old roommate and his friends sort of harassed poor jerry in his younger years. I'm trying to get him tame now and feed him only greens (mostly collared but a variety) and some fruits. What are some of the best ways to tame him? he's getting better as I have been letting him out to roam since I'm in my new house.

How do you post pictures on here? I'll do it if someone helps me.. I can webhost them.

Also how long do UV light tubes last? I have the same one I got when I bought him and I'd say it's about 14 inches long? maybe 12 but it seems longer??.. anyways just wondering if it should be replaced yet.

thanks for any replies,
Brian

age/sex?
Too early to tell, but if the jowls are getting big, pre-anal pores show up, hemipenes bulges show, and has a bad attitude, it's a boy.

What are some of the best ways to tame him?
Patience, positive reinforcement, and moderate handling. Since you mentioned he's getting better, keep up the good work and avoid stressing it.

How do you post pictures on here?
Sorry, I'm ignorant with pictures!

Also how long do UV light tubes last?
Depends. If I'm correct, on average about 6 months.

-IJ

ok so I should probably replace the UV tube then...

I can see pores on the legs? I've heard that females have them too though...

it is pretty feisty but the jowls etc don't seem to be that huge.. it has a super long tail and lateley has been shedding like the dickens (every few weeks it seems)

On females, the pores only go halfway up the hind legs. On the males they go all the way (to the knee, i guess you would call it)

Like IJ said, if it has a bad temper, it's most likely a boy. I love mine to death but he can really be an ass sometimes.

Right on.

Sexual dimorphism usually begins around 2-3 years of age.
At 2yrs/old, you can be over 50% sure of the sex.
At 3, it's pretty much settled.

-IJ

well the pores are quite visible and go all up and down the legs..

and yes he's quite tempermental.. he often jerks quickly or acts like he's going to whip.

He used to whip but I've pretty much got him to stop.

I need something for him to sit on/climb when he's out... right now he just leaps onto everything searching for a high point.
what would you guys recommend?

Your iguana is still a little young to know. Iguanas may reach sexual maturity at 6" SVL for a male and 10" for a female. This can occur as early as 1.5-2 years. But can occur later too. Some iguanas may start showing maleness/femaleness as early as 1 year but sometimes later too. All iguanas have different genetics. The following two links have pictures of male/female features that will develop. They may help you as your iguana gets older
Link: Green Iguana Society Anatomy
Link: Green Iguana Society Sexing Iguanas

Yes please replace your UVB bulb. It may or may not be good but without a UVB meter like a Solarmeter 6.2 there is no way to know. In general if you replace them every 6 months you are pretty safe. I myself use a Solarmeter 6.2. It is considered pretty pricey at $149-$179 but a quality digital camera costs more than that. And it pays for itself in the savings from being able to keep bulbs until they actually decay to the point of needing replaced. Also keeps from using bulbs that may be duds from the beginning which will save a big vet bill.
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From Cyber-Ig-Info: UVB Lighting (link)
1) Purchase good-quality, proven fluorescent tubes. We recommend Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 manufactured by ZooMed®. These lights have shown to produce the best amount of UVA and UVB for Iguanas and other sun-basking reptiles and are readily available in most pet shops.
2) Use (2) of these lights in tandem to gain the maximum amount of UVB necessary.
3) Use a good-quality lighting fixture. Low-cost fixtures have a lesser quality ballast that effects UV output form the lamps.
4) Increase UV output by using a fixture with a highly reflective surface. Covering the reflector wings with common tin/aluminum foil (shiny-side out) will increase UV output by 50%.
5) Place the fixture so that it is no farther than 6"-8" from the back of the iguana while basking. The greater the distance from light to reptile, the less UVB is produced. This recommendation is based on the Reptisun 5 or 10 or similar fluorescents. There are a few new fluorescent tubess out there that may be dangerous at this distance so please do research.
6) Replace fluorescent tubes every six-months as a general rule. UVB weakens and disappears after about six-months. It's important to realize that even though the tube is still producing light, there may not be any UVB left. You can readily monitor the UVB amount by using a Solarmeter 6.2 UVB Radiometer. This handy device will allow you to measure the UVB emissions in microwatts per centimeter squared (mW/cm2), allowing you to know exactly when the tubes have become so weak they need to be replaced. This can save you money in the long-run as some tubes will produce UVB up to one year.
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See Cyber-Ig-Info UVB Lighting (link) also for mercury vapor UVB setup
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Marie
Poyner Corner

According to Melissa Kaplan, you should replace it once a year. She said there is no need to replace any earlier than that from her experience; although, there are people who will replace it every 6-8 months. Personally, I have never had any problem and it's been 9 months since I bought the UVB tube. My Iguana is still strong, jumping around and climbing up and down in its cage with no apparent injuries to the bones.

I hope you don't take offense. This is just my thoughts.

I've seen people post who had ig with MBD igs because the bulbs were bad and they did not know it. There is no way to know without a UVB meter. It only takes one bad bulb and you waiting too long to replace the bulb. Many people never have problems but there are those that do. I myself believe a UVB meter is an invaluable tool. Just like thermometers. We don't just guess on heat. Why guess on UVB. Why risk it too. Yes the odds are that it is ok but it is still a risk. I don't like taking risks with my green kids. Also MK has been resistant to mercury vapor UVB bulbs so would you tell people not to get those for their sick animals. I know the MegaRays mercury vapor have done more good for my 13 year old iguanas than any fluorescents. Only time they did better was when I could take them outside daily for an hour or more. I am always checkin and adjusting my shelfs and lamps if needed using my Solarmeter 6.2 and my temp gun. My 13 year old iguanas health has improved since I began using those tools and the MegaRays.

I highly respect MK and Hatfield and refer to them on almost everything but even experts don't know all there is to know. She herself believes people need to keep researching and learning. When in doubt I go on the side of caution though so when I didn't have a meter I used the 6 month rule.
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Marie
Poyner Corner