Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok heres my story-
Im a 13 year old kid, an i no a place that keeps their iguanas fairly well. I have kept herps before, so i am expierenced. Even though i am 13 funding is not a problem, even for vet bills, i have already talked to my mom. I no the space the Iguana will eventually need, i am prepared for that. I will do all of my research, and be prepared way before i actually go out and get my new pet. The 6ft size of the lizard is also not a problem. I will have school, but i will always be home at night, for matience.

Do you think possible an iguana is a choice for a new herp?
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Nic
if you want to contact me: noseguardnoms@hotmail.com
Email me if you want to give me any more info

Iguanas can be very rewarding companions to house. It is very nice to see someone your age that is prepared to take the time to research the animal that they are interested in purchasing. Most kids your age buy first and ask later. Good choice you have made to research first, very responsible. I would say to you, learn everything you possibly can about keeping iguanas and then make your final decision. If you think that you can handle all the responsibility and be prepared to provide everything that your iguana may need, then go for it! Iguanas are great lizards and are very intelligent. As I said, they can be a lot of fun. However, iguanas can have many many problems in captivity which I am sure that you will educate yourself on. They require A LOT of care and tlc. Iguanas can be fiesty and can inflict a very painful and damaging bite too. There are an awful lot of unwanted and abused iguans all over the world that are in rescue organizations because of unprepared previous owners. You may even want to check into purchasing your possible future pet from one of these rescue organizations. Whatever you decide, I wish you much luck. Also iguanas can live to be quite old. So don't forget to plan for the future.

Good luck in your endeavors,
JS

Sorry so long

thank you for your compliments. I am aware of the medical problems,(Still lookin those up, lol); and the resuce organizations. I do plan to go to a military academy/ local college (Univ. of Louisville, then University of Florida Vet Med to become a vet in herps!), but i have talked with my parents, if i go long distance, they will take care of it on a schedule. after i will take em back to have in my older life.
Thanks again
Nic
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Nic
if you want to contact me: noseguardnoms@hotmail.com
Email me if you want to give me any more info

Most rescues require a person to be 18 to adopt, however the way it sounds your parents are willing to work with you, so they could sign the adoption contract. I would suggest getting both Iguanas for Dummies by Melissa Kaplan and Green Iguana the Ultimate Owners Manual by James Hatefield. Both books should be read before getting one. Lastly I do strongly suggest adopting. There are tons of reptile rescues that are overcrowded with iguanas. I speak from experience.
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Cindy
PHFaust

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Good. We need more really good herp vets out there. Good luck. The rate you are going I am sure you will be a great one!

Take care,

JS

It sounds like you are doing things the right way by doing all your research first. Not a lot of young kids take the time needed and aren't responsible enough to care for an iguana. It sounds like you are very responsible and are willing to dedicate the time, money, and paitience it takes to care for an iguana. Not to mention the the love you have for them. I think you will make a perfect iguana owner(slave) and even a herp vet. Good luck and I hope everything works out. I would recommend getting an ig from a rescue. I plan on getting 2 more, but I'm going to get them from rescues or from someone adopting them out that can't care for them anymore.
Brian

ok, im thinking about the rescue idea, but on some websites its says that older iguanans can be mean, so i wanted to get a young(er) juvenile, but thinking about rescues, i see them taking adults because its people giving them up once they get big; i wanted to no, could i possible get a rescued juvenile? Thanks
Nic
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Nic
if you want to contact me: noseguardnoms@hotmail.com
Email me if you want to give me any more info

It seems you have thought this out really well. I'm sure a rescue will probably have some smaller ones, but most likely they will mostly have larger ones. There are some pet stores that if you get an ig there you would actually be rescueing it. It is better to start with a smaller one. A baby ig is a lot of fun to have and watch grow up. They have so much personality and they do the funniest things. My oldest ig is only 2 and my little one is just less than a year. They are so different and you can tell the maturity difference between the two. Anyway good luck in choosing your ig. You are going to make some ig really happy.

Babies and juveniles are often more skittish, whipping and biting out of fear. Their small size, no matter how well you iguana proof, can cause you to search for hours for them after turning your back for "just a second". I find older iguanas have more personality, because they've overcome their fear of being eaten by humans and tend to like to "explore", rather than "desperately try to escape". Iglets sure are cute, though.

As far as igs go I like the big ones the best. That is why I'm getting 2 more, those will be adults maybe 4 ft long or so. I got the 2 smaller ones because they get to grow up and know me and be very comfortable being around me and other people. The problem with getting older igs, is they might not have the right temperment, and it will be harder to get them used to being handled if they weren't handled a lot before. Not to mention it's hard to know their whole past and what they've been through. They might even be affraid of being eaten by humans if they are big and have been treated badly. That's kind of a funny though... I can't picture myself munching on an iguana sandwitch. LOL.Or even a bag of gummie iguanas. Anyway I'm getting way off track. Whether you get a big ig or a small ig, you need to choose one with the right temperment and attitude. At least as much as you can tell with out spending a lot of time with them before you get one.

not all bigger iguanas that are at resuces are mean. i got my big one from a rescue and he is more pleasant than my small on. my small one is a terror and my big one is like a big scaly puppy dog. what ever you do make sure you do your reading. and make sure you can provide what your iguana needs.

Mike D

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