Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Lately my iguana has been coming down his top shelf and trys to get the cats on the other side.He head bobs and hisses at them.He is very peace full with me though.He is 4 feet long and is in a homemade cage which is 7 feet tall,5 feet wide,5 feet across.The basking temp is 91 and humidity is 65%.I feed him to big bowls of mixed greens and fruits daily.Why does he chase the cats?

I think your ig is trying to assert his territory, and chase the predators,(cats), away.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

SOUTHERN CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hello,

It could very well be that 'Mean Joe Green' is in the Breeding season and his hormones are up. Is he sporting more orange than usual? Perhaps consider getting him a nice girl close to his size.

I have heard of feral Ig's in Florida driving away cats and other animals considered a threat to a male's territory. Again, The male hormones are kicking in stronger than common sense. (I know many female Kingsnake readers reading this would probably say : "For all Males- what else is new." LOL)

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

I will have to disagree with Brian on getting a female ig to keep your male busy...He could kill her or if the female is mean, she could kill him...You could make a luv sock or get a stuffed animal for him to bite and mate with...Please dont subject a female to unnecessary mating....thanks...Lyn

Hi,

If the female were introduced properly- preferably in a neutral setting-under supervision; It should not be a problem. To allow an unneutered animal to suffer w/o relief should not be permitted either.

Best regards,
Jean

Getting a female is not an option. Not only would it be twice the work, but double the expenses.

The mating of green iguanas is not a gentle thing, and females are often seriously injured. If you get a female, you'll have to be worried about egg binding/laying, and what to do with the fertilized eggs once they are laid.

Sure, the male could potentially settle down if he had a female to mate, but it could go the other way as well, and he could turn into a testosterone filled monster.

A love sock would serve the same purpose, only it would be cheaper, more humane, and even safer for your male.
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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

GEEZ Everyone!

I didn't mean to create an Iquana forum battlezone. The last segment was added somewhat as a humorous addendum. Had I known that people would react so strongly to it, I might have omitted it. Although I have to say since the subject was brought up...To keep a adult sexually frustrated Ig as a pet and not neuter him IS CRUEL!--> plain and simple. If one does not want to breed- that is fine. There are TOO MANY unwanted Ig's out there. But If that is one's decision, Neutering should be the next option. We should never forget our charges are living things-with individual needs.

Thanks for listening:

Brian
SFCRC

Thanks for listening...

conviences -sorry

conveniences

Most of the reading I've done concerning the neutering of male iguanas shows that it doesn't seem to be very effective. Why take the surgical and anesthesia risks if it won't make a difference?

.

No worries Brian, we've been in need of some interesting conversation on this forum for awhile! Hopefully this will turn into something fun

Wendy
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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Thanks, Wendy for your understanding response. I thought my last passionate piece might tick-off a few out there and was wondering if I should have toned it down alittle.

Bottom line everyone (Me too):

Monitor your charges regularly and reduce stress to a minimum.

Happy holidays all:

Brian-Sherri
SFCRC