Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A neighbor in my apartment complex has recently moved their Iguana out on the balcony of their apt., the weather here is starting to get cold and the Iguana apears to have no heat source. I don't want to bother my neighbors which I have never met, nor do I want them to have a problem with us or think we are weird but I want to help the Iguana. I am gonna print out a care sheet and tape it to the door of their apt. with a letter explaining my wife and I's concerns. What more can I do with out making a problem for us with our neighbors? I am considering giving them a heat lamp for the Iguana but that would not help at night. My wife wants to take the iguana in and either care for it or find it someone to care for it if the owners don't care for it properly themselves. I agree with my wife but do not have the space or time to take in a large Iguana. Please give me some feed back on this. Thanks
My beardie Pepe's Home page

Whenever I see ads for iguanas that have been around for a while and are beginning to sound desperate, I will let them know of a rescue close to them that will take the iguana. Sometimes, I will call around first and make sure there is room at the inn before I suggest a rescue. Maybe you could strike up a conversation with your neighbor before putting the care sheet on their door. People usually respond well when someone approaches them nicely. Maybe the next time you see them come out, just mention that you happened to see their iguana, that it is pretty, that you are interested in herps, etc...Then casually pop in a question about the temps. Ask them if they need a heat lamp. Who knows, maybe they are anxious to find a home for the iguana, but don't know where to turn. You could give them an easy out.

IMO, placing the care sheet would put them off from talking to you about the animal. They will probably get defensive, and the iguana will end up suffering.

This is just how I usually handle it.
Laura

Hello,

I could not help but notice the iguana that you have on your balcony, I just wanted to share some information we have about the care and needs of your pet.

Iguanas are typically native to South America and are accustom to tropical climates. It is critically important that iguanas receive proper heating. Reptiles are ectothemic, meaning that they do not manufacture their own body heat. When we confine reptiles in captivity we must provide them a cool area and a warm area so that the animal can determine its own body temperate as it would in the wild. Iguanas require a basking spot of 95-100 degrees F, and a cooler end of 80-85 degrees. At night the temperature can safely drop to 70-75 degrees, provided that the animal can warm up during the day. An iguana should not be taken outside unless the ambient temperature is above 70 degrees F. Last night when I checked the temperature in Castaic was 55 degrees.

It is not our intention to criticize, nor attack you. We just love animals and wanted to share this information.

If you are looking for a new home for your iguana (as we are well aware these apartments seem to get smaller with time) you could always post an advertisement in the Classifieds or with the Recycler (if you go on www.recycler.com your message will appear online and in the Recycler). I’m sure someone would pay good money for a tame iguana with a nice cage.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I sincerely hope that no offence was taken.

Pepe's Home Page

can you not sabotage the heating source of the people zelf?
then they feel themzelf its getting cold .
poor iggy
byeeeeeee