Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting an iguana this week that will be free roaming for the most part. I want to know tips or advice on how to potty train it.

You cant train a reptile. You can just work around it. Some will have a place they will usually go to dump, and you can just put something down there. Or soak it every day. the water usualy will get them go. Other than that get ready to find feces in odd places.

Keep in mind that you're going to have to find a way to heat and provide your ig with UVB exposure, and with a free roamer thats difficult.
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- Mike Fourquet

CLOACA HERPS

Some people (a very few may I mind you) do manage to potty train their iguanas. I've seen pictures of one trained to "go" on a set-up toilet! The most common way is to "litter box" train them.
It takes time, patience, and luck. Positive reinforcement is the key.

As for UV and heat, UV bulbs can be setup with the basking lamps, that way as the animal basks, it absorbs UV. 2 or three basking stations in a room should do. The rest will allow the animal to cool and thermoregulate. The need to move around to keep warm and thermoregulate will encourage "excercise" and minimize lethargy.

-IJ

Ours took to a water box immediately. From there he began refusing to go in it unless it was outside of his cage. That soon became only in the bath tub before his bath (dump it, the water, refill the tub)... That has now turned into only when there is no water in the tub... It is nice and easy to clean up, but he has made a firm stance on it and WILL NOT go anywhere else. We tried to get him back to the water box... but he refuses and can hold it in defience longer than we can hold out and he always ends up in the tub with a very content 'I won again' look on hia little arrogent (but cute) face.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-0-1 Rescued Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-2-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet, Isis
0-0-1 Rescued Fit and Trim Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

I was told they train themselves and it turned out to be true. You don't get to choose where they go but once they pick a place they stick with it. Mine never goes anywhere else. I have plastic down and just have to wrap it up and carry it to the tub. On the other hand, it took a month to accomplish because he did not like that I was messing with his spot putting the plastic down so he kept changing spots for a while.

UVB won't be difficult.

I have the novel idea of taking him outside. haha.

Thanks for the advice though.