Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This Christmas my sister got me an iguana, and I've had a few questions about him.

He had an abusive owner before we got him (he's only 3 or 4 months old now) and his tail has been black since we've had him. It isn't like a cast, but the nerves in it seem to be dead. I looked through a few pictures of them, and it seems that many iguanas have black stripes, so I think it may be that the stripes just come later.

He also has a flaky muzzle (my fault for not spraying him enough with the mister, it is hard to get used to his need for constant attention and care), is this natural? It was slightly flaky when we got him, but his nostrils and forehead are white with dead scales, and the underside of his chin is white too. Will spraying him with mist a lot get rid of this, or will it just keep it as it is? I also saw that many male iguanas have white or brownish muzzles, so I don't know what to think (I know muzzle applies to a dog, but I don't know the term for an iguana's mouth).

Just a few more things. I feed him mostly romaine and spinach, with a bit of celery or broccoli every once in a while. I put the vitamins on the food sometimes, but I was wondering if that is necessary every day? I know they are strictly herbivores, so I was confused as to the necessity of the vitamins (maybe since we can't provide him a great diet?).

Oh yeah, my important question! I try to handle him a lot (I actually had a phobia of all reptiles before I got him, and I just started to really adore him, so he isn't very people friendly yet), and he seems to close his eyes when I stroke my finger over the tip of his spikes or the side of his face between the ears? and the brown spot a little above (no clue what that sensory gland operates). Is this hurting him, or giving him pleasure, or is it merely a soothing gesture that puts them to sleep? e doesn't seem to hate me for it (he's crawling around on my neck and arms right now), so I don't think it hurts him but I want to make sure.

Ahh! He just tried to tackle the computer screen, so I think it is time for him to be put up. Thank you for any possible help, and I'll check back in about 20 minutes. Thank you!

He had an abusive owner before we got him (he's only 3 or 4 months old now) and his tail has been black since we've had him. It isn't like a cast, but the nerves in it seem to be dead.

A black tail is often a sign of a dead one. Usually this happens with poor shedding, the dead skin being so tight it cuts down circulation and the tail eventually 'dies'. It can also be dead from trauma, such as partial breakage or what not.
A dead tail should be removed by a vet to prevent infection.

But if it is striped, then yes, that is normal.

He also has a flaky muzzle (my fault for not spraying him enough with the mister, it is hard to get used to his need for constant attention and care), is this natural? It was slightly flaky when we got him, but his nostrils and forehead are white with dead scales, and the underside of his chin is white too.

That means he is nose-rubbin, which is going back and forth against the enclosure eventually rubbing its snout raw, causing necrosis and permanent disfigurement. A way to stop it is to make sure that the enclosure is spacious enough, and tall enough to encourage climbing, not roaming, since they are arboreal. Another is to put a 'barrier' to block the view on the ground, as a deterrant from trying to 'cross over' the invisible barrier (i.e. the glass).
Apply some Neosporin (penicillin) on the snout and keep it clean.

Iguanas need humidity, therefore misting it and the enclosure does help keep the skin healthy.

I feed him mostly romaine and spinach, with a bit of celery or broccoli every once in a while. I put the vitamins on the food sometimes, but I was wondering if that is necessary every day? I know they are strictly herbivores, so I was confused as to the necessity of the vitamins (maybe since we can't provide him a great diet?).

Lettuce: bad.
Spinach: in moderation

Collard greens should be the main bulk of the 'salad bar'. You can buy those salad mixes at your supermarket that contain greens, carrots, etc. If you cannot provide him the proper diet, then you are (no offense of course) slowly killing the little thing. Do your research and get a good idea of what the proper diet for iguanas is in captivity.

Vitamin supplement is debateable. Some advise daily dosage for juvenile iguanas, since they are weak and need nutrition for their initial rapid growth.
Others say every other day. As adults of course, the dosage can even be cut down to once a week depending on health and size.

I try to handle him a lot (I actually had a phobia of all reptiles before I got him, and I just started to really adore him, so he isn't very people friendly yet), and he seems to close his eyes when I stroke my finger over the tip of his spikes or the side of his face between the ears.

Bad mistake. Handling a juvenile a lot is one of the worst things you can do for it. It is very stressful for them to be handled by a big scary mammal who they view as a predator. Hence why it closes its eyes, as many animals do when scared and/or stressed. Blocking the view blocks the threat, making them feel more secure. Hence why captured animals are readily blind-folded to minimize stress.

Handle it in moderation, let it mostly get used to your presence and voice. Handling should be with the least amount of stress, and with positive reinforcement (a treat etc.).

Brush up on your "Iguana 101" by visiting good informative websites and purchasing a good book (stay away from the $5-$10 cheapo's at the petstores) on iguana care. Kaplan and Hatfield are the two best authors.

Feel free to ask more questions!

-IJ

Ah, thanks for the advice. I thought a green snout would be raw though since he can't feel his? He doesn't rub his head against anything, though he does like to try to headbutt through the screen at the top and roam around my room. He's being misted frequently now, but I'll use neosporin too.

As far as his diet is concerned, I thought that it was normal lettuce that had no nutrition. Romaine is a very nutritional kind of lettuce, but he does need some fruit and a few other greens. He eats incredibly large amounts, but I'm guessing that he eats to grow, not because he enjoys the taste.

I don't think he is stressed or scared when I handle him, because he usually tries to dart up my chest and across my face. I hold my hand in a cup shape over him so that I can catch him when he attempts escape. He likes to climb onto my hands and jump back and forth, so I think he is pretty friendly and happy. He only seems scared when my dog walks in or leaves (my dog has already knocked his cage over once while I was at school, I came home to find Jake on my pillow). I think he closes his eyes when he is happy because he has fallen asleep on my chest while I stroked the tips of his spikes before.

Oh yeah, he uses his tongue to smell, right? He likes to stick his tongue out and lick my hands and face sometimes. Does that mean that he senses a familiar scent and feels more comfortable?

Romaine lettuce is OK as a treat once in a while. Trust us
on this one! He needs to be fed dark greens like collard, mustard, turnip,endive, dandelion and so forth. If you only give him romaine or any other kinda lettuce he will not grow properly and most likely end up with metabolic bone disease.
I do not give my iguanas spinach at all. Make sure you
you add other stuff(not too much fruit)like butternut squash,
sweet potatoe, green peppers, turnips, parsnip, carrots to
name a few. Make sure they are chopped up well as igs cannot
chew food.

I took an iguana in that was abandoned in a dorm room. He was
fed romaine only and he was the size of a hatchling. When he
got to the larger rescue (thanks Jane) they determined him to be at least 2 years old. He was severly stunted. About two weeks after I got him in the proper set-up and started feeding him correctly he just blew up in shed and started to grow.

You need to do a lot of research of these guys. The ig is
depending on you.

Linda

Linda is 100% right on the diet, you need to improve it big-time.
As for the licking, yes, like monitors, snakes, etc. iguanas lick to 'smell' and be familiar with their surrounding. It is not the same as a dog licking you.
While it does sound like he is well accustomed to you and your handling, again, do not over-do it. The same way a human child should not be picked up constantly, or a dog sitting on a person's lap, iguanas should not be on their owners' hands/body constantly.

It's good to read you love the animal and are willing to care for it properly. Too many people are clueless and decide to remain so, instead of learning.

-IJ

I stress a vet visit..

... find a reptile specialist in your area or close too and ask them further question's . from what your reading out of book's and websites