Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the smartest thing you've seen your iggy do?
Today I had a lot of running to do. I let Marley out for some breakfast and let him roam for a short time before I had to put him back in his cage and take off. I came home much later and very tired. I let Marley out to roam around on the sunporch and flopped down at the computer, I figured he was hungry but I just wanted to sit for a bit. I was sitting for maybe 20 or 30 minutes when I heard all this scratching in the sunroom. I raced out there figuring he must have flipped himself and couldn't right himself. Well, here was Marley scratching at the door like a dog! As I open the door he looks up at me like.... "Dying here Mom!! Where's the grub?" What a smartie! Or are they all that smart?

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Lin & Marley

Love that pic. Hope everything continues to improve for Marley. Reptiles definitely fall somewhere in between the folks who anthropomorphize them, and the crew that believes that their thoughts go no further than eat, sleep, poop, bask. (I think they like to keep us guessing) I have always been amazed at how responsive they can be, and the humorous routines they develop.

I've also been equally frustrated with some of the actions that make no sense. Our hatchling Isa was severely burned when she came in contact with the mercury vapor bulb in her enclosure. The bulb is surrounded by wire mesh cage - to prevent such an occurrence. She had to physically force herself through the space between the mesh - and then couldn't work her way back out. Much like kids, they seem to do the very things that you work to prevent. That was 3 weeks ago. Despite a trip to the vet, I did not expect the iglet to survive. But I'm sure as you know, with Marley as well, they are incredibly resilient animals. She has gone from having absolutely no movement in her back legs and tail, being unable to climb, and requiring force-feeding, to today, she has regained use of her back legs and a portion of her tail, (although the rear third I believe she will lose)and once again climbing all over the enclosure. From deaths door to fully functional and eating on her own (and growing) in the space of 20 days. No signs thus far of secondary infection, which I find just incredible.

Good luck with your tanger-green iguana, Marley.

Yes, they are ALL that smart. Just because they don't have vocal chords, a lot of people think they are just dumb lizards. They are quite mistaken.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

when i first got zeph, i was holding him and me and my parents were talking, they asked so does he bite? at that moment he had apparently been getting nervous and he lunged at my face, i felt his scales brush my lips/chin, and i didnt have to answer my parents Q, as Zephyr already had.

Sarah

Well My wifes Female "Ozzi" Found out that she could use the doggy door to go out side to bask at her own desire not at our convience. So after not really noticing her for two days I found her on the neighbors fence basking when I took My male "Chester" out for some sun and a shower with the hose.
She just looked at me like hi there dad was wondering when you were going to come for me. She made it easy to catch her since I showed her some turnip greens. Food the ultimate calming device.

Well My wifes Female "Ozzi" Found out that she could use the doggy door to go out side to bask at her own desire not at our convience. So after not really noticing her for two days I found her on the neighbors fence basking when I took My male "Chester" out for some sun and a shower with the hose.
She just looked at me like hi there dad was wondering when you were going to come for me. She made it easy to catch her since I showed her some turnip greens. Food the ultimate calming device.