Reptile & Amphibian Forums

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

In Southern Florida at least, the answer, unfortunately, is a resounding YES!

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Well, the carnivals think they are disposable. THey will buy plenty in Florida where these pictures were taken and move north to Michigan and Indiana.

http://www.marioncountyherp.org/classifieds.html
Carnival Iguanas

I looked at that site... those poor baby igs & turtles! That makes me sad & angry. In my area, the only living thing they give away as prizes are goldfish. I remember when I was young I would win as many as I could just to give them a good home, one actually lived a few weeks.
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Danielle
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1.0 green water dragon, 0.4 leos, 1.0 adopted iguana, 0.1 beardie,
2.0 green anoles, 1.0 blue anole & 2.2 bettas ~My Pets~

Where do you live? It is all over-Florida, Alabama, NC, VA, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Ill, Indiana, NY, PA, etc

.
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Danielle
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
1.0 green water dragon, 0.4 leos, 1.0 adopted Iguana, 0.1 beardie,
2.0 green anoles, 1.0 blue anole, 1.0 Rosy Boa & 2.2 bettas ~My Pets~

We only have one carnival goldfish, weve had him for around 3 years. Our other goldies we got before him are nearing 5 years, and we expect to have them for at least 10 or more years. I have never seen iguanas at carnivals (thank gosh) then again I try to avoid them.
Sarah

THey are more common then you think.

Cindy

Like I said I am not exactly scouring fairs looking for iguanas.

I never said I doubted they are sold, im just lucky enough to not have noticed any in the past

Sarah

Considering the ad I just saw in the local advertising circular for 'Buy One Get One Free' iguanas at a local pet store, I'd say yes. I dread to think how many of these poor babies will end up at my shelter after a few months. *sigh*
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~~
Meri Martin
Scales & Tails Exotic Pet Rescue - http://www.scalesandtails.org
NJ Herp. Society - http://www.njhsonline.com

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Down here, pet stores will not even take Iquanas for free. The only demand is for newborn hatchlings. People are real quick to 'get rid of the problem by just releasing them in the wild'.
wholesalers are often stuck with hundreds of iquanas-diseased and starving. There has been a case with one wholesaler where routinely the weak individuals ( Both Iguanas and Savanna Monitors )are thrown alive in a trash dumpster. A good friend and pet shop owner has rescued some of these individuals and tried to rehabilitate them.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Is this where the carnivals are getting all these iguanas? From the wholesalers? About how much do they pay for each iguana?

Cindy
Samantha Iguana

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

LOCATION:LEE/1.

HI CINDY,

One wholesale source in S. Florida (I won't reveal the name #1 )because of Kingsnakes rules, # 2) Because of Underworld connections-You just don't want to mess with these guys!!!) sell
Costa Rican Blue Iquanas for $4 a pop.

Always a pleasure cooresponding with you.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

I have heard of prices cheaper than this. One person asked a carnival owner in Ohio to stop and he laughed and said they are cheap and therefore disposable.

What you need to do is :next time an article is printed about feral iguanas being pests, write a letter to the editor about what fairs are giving iguanas as prizes and then get out of the way.

If you email me, I will nake 4 carnivals that have had live prizes in many Florida fairs.

Cindy

I told some other Florida residents to stop writing to the state agriculture committees and asking why there is no law.

Around 1$ for hatchlings. Some of the larger stores have paid around 25 cents

Sad isnt it.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

That is closer to what I heard. I heard less than a dollar at the reptile show. Yes, it is ashame. It is also ashame that people believe the vet care is based on the price of an animal.

Cindy

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Good Morning Cindy,

Yes, it is sad. It is even sadder for the adults. It wasn't that long ago that a large male would command that highest price. The larger the pricer ie). about $350 at one point. 2 weeks ago a large male with full breeding colors was brought into a reptile dealership. he was wrapped tightly around his legs and mouth with duct tape! Although a beautiful male apparently healthy, he was rejected for purchase at any price. For all I know, he ended up being eaten. I unfortunately, was unable to rescue this individual.

This is a prime example of excessive importing and captive breeding creating a surplus far exceeding the demand. The ratio then further widing with the trend of the general public to run with the cool, the unique the seldom seen. Thus, another species follows the same trend as the Green Iguana and it in time is replaced by another in current fashion. A system of checks and balances must be enacted to counter this trend. Reduction of import quotas-limits on CB iguana hatchings made available for sale-stiffer fines for mistreatment or release of Throw away animals, at fairs: enactment of a 2 day waiting period for pick up to avoid impulse buying (more possible at at dirt cheap price), etc. In addition, slow torture should be enacted for any dealer throwing still alive Ig's in trash dumpsters!

Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Is definately a resounding yes. I have several humane societies BEGGING me to take them in. They are housing at least 5 adults most places. I average 15 calls a week from people to surrender.

I am seeing more savys coming in and more columbian boas as well. While I seem to be able to move boas I am not able to move the iguanas or savys... I did place a few green guys this year.

I have however noticed a considerable back off on the sale of iguanas. The majority of smaller stores no longer sell iguanas at all. We still have the major chains sell them, but not as many. However you can still get them for 10$

WI-NIAD Small Scale Reptile Rescue
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hello,

Just a note:

Despite the great abundance of Boas and Pythons in S. Florida,
They are still in demand and are eagerly bought by dealers unlike the Green Iguana. Many numbers, however, are offered for free to places like Lion Country Safari. Lion Country tried to
have me take in these referrals which I redirected elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC