Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Our adult Iguana's jowls, and pads on top of his head used to be fat and pretty firm. A few months after we moved, its as if they "deflated"? What could this be? Before we moved he used to get a bath everyday, but not as much now, could this have something to do with it? Or is it a glandular thing.

He is well taken care of and even has his own room and gets unfiltered sun everyday and a variety of greens and veggies and proper temps. Any ideas??? He acts healthy and happy, so what could be up??

Hi, I don't think people are ignoring you, they probably just don't know the answer to your question.

I don't really know, either. All I can tell you is that the jowls and "brain bumps" are fat deposits. Is he eating less? It's possible that under stress he's using these fat reserves, or has a parasite that is preventing him from gaining nutrients from his food, and so he's using stored fat. Is the base of his tail getting skinnier? That's another fat deposit in both males and females that people use to judge the health of the iguana.

The only other thing I can think of is that usually when I really notice my iguana's jowls, it is because he's puffing them out a bit to show how big and tough he is. Maybe your iguana does not feel so sure of himself in his new environment, and is purposefully "sucking it in" to look as small and meek as possible? That does not explain the shrinking head bumps though, which as far as I know iguanas cannot make bigger or smaller at will.

Good luck...
Erin