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Growth

anthony93 Aug 26, 2007 09:59 PM

I dont mean to be a iguana noob but i tried looking around but i found different results for my question. My question is the average growth of a iguana per month. i know how well you take care of them adds to. can anyone just give me an estimate or let me know if you would need more info thanks.

Replies (11)

IGUANA JOE Aug 26, 2007 11:25 PM

Look up Melissa Kaplan's book or website, then look at Hatfield's book, see if you can find some herpetological website or book, average them up, you'll get an idea.

I could post them for you, but that would be repeating what you already got. Bottom line is, about a foot per year for the first 2.5 - 3 years or so, again depending on individual, diet, activity level, general health, lighting (artificial/natural) etc.

-IJ

anthony93 Aug 26, 2007 11:40 PM

thanks joe. i feed bird(my iguanas name) peas,watermelon,bananas,strawberrys,and a small piece of an orange as a treat. i put iguana dust on his food everyday and he has a basking spot a uv light.

whyfat2002 Aug 27, 2007 05:04 AM

Why on gods green earth would you feed him that diet. your should be feeding him the iguana salad. here is a link to a proper diet: MK Salad

anthony93 Aug 27, 2007 04:20 PM

thats all the stuff i feed him already. i just didnt call it a salad. i just got a book by R.D Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett today while i was getting him more fake plants.

anthony93 Aug 27, 2007 04:24 PM

and i didnt list everysing thing i give him. i give him figs, pears and berries aswell.
hope this and my other message sorts out any confusion

jf Aug 28, 2007 02:19 PM

anthony, your diet is not good enough for you ig. You are using too much fruit. Its like you are just feeding him dessert all the time. Get more greens in his diet, collards, dandelion,mustard greens and dont use ice burg lettuce that doesnt count. These lizards are leaf and plant eaters, fruit is rare and seasonal for them in the wild. You will see better growth and health from your ig. make sure you have enough heat in the basking site for your ig to digest properly.

IGUANA JOE Aug 27, 2007 10:21 PM

Hmmm... I have that book, bought it many years ago, and it was mediocre in accuracy at best. It's an average iguana info book at a very convenient price, but unless they polished it up and published a new edition with more accurate and up-to-date information, it won't do you much good.
Might as well print for free every page off Melissa Kaplan's website.

-IJ

anthony93 Aug 29, 2007 08:45 PM

Alright thank you everyone for your advice. Get new book. Less fruits more greens! thanks!

np27 Aug 27, 2007 03:00 PM

When I got my iguana in 99 I actualy measured him on a monthly basis and every month for the first year he grew anywhere from 1 inch to 2 inches per month. The diet I fed him at that time was lots of collard, turnip, romaine. and mustard greens with other mixed veggies like sweet potatos, carrots, green beans, tomatos, and yellow squash. As far as fruit. I gave him some strawberries, banana, kiwi, papaya, and mango but only a little and not every day I also gave him some vit. and cal. supplement about three times a week and he is doing great to this day

anthony93 Aug 27, 2007 07:13 PM

Thank you. You really helped me here. everyone else on here so far has just been complaining about me doing something wrong. Again thank you.

np27 Aug 27, 2007 07:45 PM

Happy to help!

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