Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
Joey has become a free roamer of his own bedroom which has obviously led to some big changes for him. So far the experience has appeared to be a positive one. His nose has healed well (although he did lose 1 of his 3 rostral horns and I expect he'll lose the other 2 after this shed).
He seems so much more 'content' and is eating like a crocodile, which could also be due to the fact that he had flagellates and now has gotten rid of them with medication (last fecal sample was good).
The only problem I am having is with his 'pooping schedule'. When he was in his cage, we bathed him every morning or early afternoon and he would go poop, and then he was good for the day.
When he did poop in his cage it was always at the bottom on the tiles and was easy to clean and disinfect.
Now that he is free roaming, we have left the large tiled bottom of his cage in his room, hoping that he would choose there to go poop (if not during his tubby time).
Now however, he refuses to go poop in the tub (it is also a new tub since WE moved as well) and when he poops in his room, it is always on one of his 3 ledges where he basks. His basking areas have a rug type texture and are very difficult to wash and disinfect.
After he poops, I wash him off in the tub and put him back in his room; 2 - 3 hours later he has gone poop again...in his basking spot, and he just lies on top of it and doesn't seem to care...back he goes to tubby time to get washed off.
Why is he doing this?
He is a very small iguana for his age, and he is now eating 1 - 2 large dinner plates heaping with food. He used to only eat about a soup bowl a day...but was still very healthy.
Are his intestines just getting used to eating a lot? Why does he go poop again only 2-3 hours later? And why does he poop in his basking spot and lay on top of it? He never used to do this.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, please let me know.
Thanks.
Kally & Joey

I have noticed that iguanas tend to do this when they are in a new environment. I think it's a way for them to mark their territory. They do this for a few weeks and after a while they adopt a schedule.

Don't expect him to follow his previous schedule, though. You've basically changed his whole routine by changing his environment and he has to establish himself again. The new tub probably does have something to do with it, too. Iguanas are very sensitive to changes and need time to adapt. Give it time and he should eventually settle in.

If it's any consolation, I feel your pain, especially with having to wash that carpeting. LOL

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Julie Williams
www.baskingwonders.com