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Do you iguannas really want to be in cages?

garnetdragon Feb 08, 2003 04:22 PM

I took this 1 yr old iguanna because someone didn't want it anymore. They were going to let it go where they have seen other iguanna running free. I thought beacause it has been a cage since it has been born. It wouldn't live and that seem mean and cruel. On the other hand, would it learn to eat leaves from plants and find shelter. Don't iganna want to run around and play with their kind. Swim in lakes not a bucket in their cage. I feel confused because I can't show any love to this iguanna. It is aggressive and she looks sad.
Should I send her to a pet rescue, so they can find her another home or set her free in a forest where she won't be bothered?

Replies (3)

Mr. D Feb 08, 2003 05:21 PM

1.) If you live anywhere in the US releasing an iguana into "the wild" would be completely and totally illegal for several reasons.

2.) If the ig is young enough and you live in a tropical climate outside the US then yes, it may survive, but as with releasing captive bred animals in the US you could very well be introducing a parasite or other form of disease into an ecosystem that would have otherwise never been exposed to a particular contagion and you could subsequently end up wiping out several species of animal simply by releasing that one iguana.

If you don't feel you can continue to care for it then find a shelter that is qualified to handle igs and sign it over to them - along with at least a double digit donation for taking the problem off of your hands.

Mr. D Feb 08, 2003 05:22 PM

1.) If you live anywhere in the US releasing an iguana into "the wild" would be completely and totally illegal for several reasons.

2.) If the ig is young enough and you live in a tropical climate outside the US then yes, it may survive, but as with releasing captive bred animals in the US you could very well be introducing a parasite or other form of disease into an ecosystem that would have otherwise never been exposed to a particular contagion and you could subsequently end up wiping out several species of animal simply by releasing that one iguana.

If you don't feel you can continue to care for it then find a shelter that is qualified to handle igs and sign it over to them - along with at least a double digit donation for taking the problem off of your hands.

rain4rest Feb 08, 2003 05:33 PM

I'd listen.

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