Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It's been about 10 days and my iggys haven't ventured into the new part of their encloser. I saw Ed climb down there once, but only for a minute. I've put them in the bottom one at a time and they explored a little then climbed right back up. I put them in the pool and they seem to like the basking spot, but I guess they're just not ready. I even put their food down there, but half a day went by and I put it back up top. I guess I thought they would starve. Any suggestions? Or will it just take more time. I am almost ready to turn the heat lamps and uvb buld off in the bottom because they're not being used. What should I do?

Just give it time...some igs just have a hard time with change and something new is frightening...try luring with a favorite snack like fruit or wheat bread ( mine love wheat bread) or just let them get used to it on their own time...I have 3 females who share an enclosure ( I dont suggest it, I am just luck so far) and one of them cannot stand change...and she shows me by pooping on her board instead of the bottom of the cage...the others, no problem...but her...she shows me when she is upset.lol....good luck...nice cage...Lyn

thanks. They don't seem to like change very much. I'm pretty sure they are both female and they get along great. I'll just wait and see, I'm sure eventually they will go down there.

-from the giant bottle of Advil next to the spray bottle in your picture!

LOL. That's funny. I never even noticed the advil or anything else in the picture.

Igs in general usually don't like change, especially not when you mess with their home and territory. The igs will probably never really hang out near the bottom, igs really love to be in the highest part of their enclosure. It's where they feel safest.

I'm really worried about those lamps in there, though. There's nothing keeping the igs from climbing on them and they could get some serious burns. You might consider building a small screen box or something around them.

Otherwise, give it time, they will explore the cage more, but don't count on them spending a lot of time in the bottom part of their enclosure.

Hope this helps!

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Julie Williams
www.baskingwonders.com

Thanks. Even if they don't hang out in the bottom at least they have more room to wander and swim if they want.
The lights in the top they already climb on. I made a kinda platform on top of them with screen. They spend a lot of time on them. They metal part doesn't get real hot, but I was worried that they might get burnt so I built the platforms. I don't know why they like it there, maybe it's up higher or warmer or cooler. At first I had branches for them to bask under the lights, but they preffered to be on the lights.
The bottom lights I might have to make something around them. They can get to them by climbing the screen. Or I guess they could jump to them. Thanks again