Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those who keep really large iguanas in room sized enclosures know what it takes to keep their iguanas in optimum condition.Despite this they should spend plenty of time daily with their pets in order to keep them tame.During my experience all these years with my iggy I realized that you should make it a part of your daily routine devoting time to him in order to keep him tame and in return give you the joy you are strongly trying to achieve by cleaning and maintaining an enclosure which is actually as big as my room,not to mention the electricity needed for keeping 85 degrees to the room.They tend to be tame but as some weeks pass without handling them head bobbing starts followed by chasing and then arboreal attacks take place.Despite these things I tend to keep him at optimum condition constantly.Some other reptiles came along,work and soon I found my self hopeless to condition the mess I have created all along these years,growing him was such an investment for me because I really knew how big these lizards become.I have realized that the only way to keep them tame is to have a large space for free roaming without any objects that can be broken,torn.The big ones tend to wreck most houses when left unuttended.
Any way I'm loosing the battle over here and most of you know what I mean,it's sad cause I have put every last effort I had for running the 'business' right.I know there's nothing much to say because I'd thought of it before propably.If you wish to tell your opinion,feel free,I would be greatful
Thanks

Excuse me if I haven't made the point clear,keeping the iguana tame is.

I'm confused (maybe it's because it's so late), but is there a point to this thread? (no offense)

For what it's worth, yes, iguanas are a big investment of time and money, and yes, the best way to keep them is to eventually let them roam a near-room sized (or room-sized) enclosure (or even better, out-door), and yes, it's not easy to keep such an animal for 15 years or so. (By the way, you don't need a whole room to be at 85', as long as you got 2 or more basking areas the animal will thermoregulate just fine).

But, people who buy an iguana by now should know what they are getting into. If all fails, they should find a good home for the animal.

Good luck,

-IJ

If you can set aside 10-15 min every day to interact with your ig, and just spend time "petting" or holding him it will work wonders. He might not really be cool with it at first, but its a process. You cant expect instant results, but if you stick with it every day you will see progress. It may seem like alot of work, but in the long run 15 min isnt really any time at all.
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- Mike Fourquet

CLOACA HERPS

We have raised Iggi as a whole house free roamer since she was about 1 year old. It takes a lot of effort, and 5 heating pads (2 for her basking spot on the back of the living room couch, and 3 for her bed in her bedroom), but it is definitely worth it. She has been raised like a member of our family, and has NEVER bit us, or tail-whipped us. She will be 6 years old in November, and was just weighed at 11.6 pounds. This picture was taken in Iggi's bedroom, of my son, Nathaniel, and Iggi.

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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

Question, do you leave the heating pads on when you are away? I'm afraid to do this.

And what do you do for UVB exposure?
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- Mike Fourquet

CLOACA HERPS

Both of us are seldom away from Iggi for a long time. We take her on vacations with us. If we leave, and think there is a chance of rain/thunderstorms, we will leave Iggi's heating pads on her bed on LOW, in case she leaves her basking spot, and goes to her bed. Otherwise, we leave her basking spot heating pads on until she leaves her basking spot.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

OK, thanks for the input. Getting ready for winter. Does he get depressed when it rains? Mine seems to after a couple days.

Iggi is a she. She is 11.6 pounds at last weighing. Iggi reminds me of Snoopy from "Peanuts", when it rains. The picture of Snoopy when he is depressed and laying on his doghouse. Iggi will lay on her basking spot, and look out at the rain, wishing the sun would come out.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

Aww! I wondered if other igs are like that. I am planning to move to Seattle in about 5 years and don't know what Buds will do.

By the way, Iggi has NEVER "wrecked the house" while we were away.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~