Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today I started babysitting Leon for my science teacher who is going out of town. He is a sweetheart, about 4' 6''. I'm a little unsure of his age, Im guessing at least 8 though due to his size. In just hours he's adjusted fine. He's eaten and explored and is know sleeping like a rock on my bed. Im hoping I can convince the rents to just let me keep him, since my teacher said I could possibly have him. I dunno, it's gonna take some major kissing of the ass to get them to say yes. Well, I might as well try.

Actually at that size it could be only 2-3 years old depending on how well it was kept........TC

Well I just found out he's actually 12. The previous owner didn't supplement him or keep him near uvb light. His toes are all grown in sideways because he was never given room to climb, he was constantly stuck on the floor. For most of his life he was kept in a smaller cage which could have contributed to his smaller body. He has lost all of his green which explains his age. He been through a lot. He doesn't have mbd but he was lucky. He has many scars and his dewlap was ripped and is now nearly gone. He also shows signs of age, being slow but not lethargic. He's a little skinny but he'll plump up with me. I'm just lucky I got him when I did. He's happier now I think, with pillows and carpet to relax on, not hard floor. He was never really social, being locked in a cage all day. But he seems to love the attention that he never really got. Thanks.
-Cheyenne

Coloring really has not a lot to do with age, it is more with the native range that the specific iguana originated from. I have seen bright green adults to blaze orange in both male and female. Cage size also does not stunt them, only poor husbandry does. I have a 6 year old iguana here in my rescue that is i think 8 inchs SVL. The curled toes are a sign of previous MBD, so be sure you are giving a nice rounded diet and offering some calcium. If you manage to keep the iguana pick up either the ultimate iguana owners manual by James Hatefield or Iguanas for dummies by melissa kaplan. They will become your bibles!

Keep us posted!

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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

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