Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Everyone! I'm thinking about adopting an iguana. I've started doing my research late last week, so I'm getting more knowledgable, but still have lots to learn! I've contacted an iguana rescue in my area, and she said that she has several that seem to suit me. She has 3 igs that are 2-3 yrs. old, and are all friendly. As well as a 10 yr. old female, that supposively has always had good health and vet care, and has a great personality. She further told me that she personally has seen people have greater sucess with smaller igs, because most of the large igs that she gets were kept in bad conditions, and had minimal to no health care. (So many end up dieing permaturely.) Which one of these would you choose, and why? Which one would you reccomend for me? Do most female igs have gravidity problems, and if not, what can you do to avoid these problems? What are some things that you can do to help breeding season not be as bad in male igs? Is there anything that affects breeding season in captivity (food, lighting, temperature, etc.)? What is an appropriate size cage for an adult iguana (that spends the day in it, but gets lots of attention)? What supplements (or ig food such as zoomed, monster, etc.) do you use, and have you had good health with these products? Thanks very much!!

Sincerely,
SpookyScales

Hey Everyone! I'm thinking about adopting an iguana. I've started doing my research late last week, so I'm getting more knowledgable, but still have lots to learn!

Have you read any of the web-sites?

http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html
http://www.greenigsociety.org/home.html
http://home.gwp.com/bmccorkendale/greendude.html

All of the topics in these websites are too big for e-mail, so do your reading before you get the iguana

I've contacted an iguana rescue in my area, and she said that she has several that seem to suit me. She has 3 igs that are 2-3 yrs. old, and are all friendly. As well as a 10 yr. old female, that supposively has always had good health and vet care, and has a great personality. She further told me that she personally has seen people have greater sucess with smaller igs, because most of the large igs that she gets were kept in bad conditions, and had minimal to no health care. (So many end up dieing permaturely.) Which one of these would you choose, and why? Which one would you reccomend for me?

I recommend that you go for a visit to the shelter and disregard gender. Pick the one that you like, one that you just connect with. It might take more than one visit. Both genders have up-sides and down-sides.

Do most female igs have gravidity problems, and if not, what can you do to avoid these problems?

Huge topic, do the reading.

What are some things that you can do to help breeding season not be as bad in male igs?

Nothing!! LOL! Except that they do eventually pull out of it.

Is there anything that affects breeding season in captivity (food, lighting, temperature, etc.)?

There is a therory that putting a raging male in a dark closet for three or four days will re-set it's clock. I think that theory is Iffy.

What is an appropriate size cage for an adult iguana

1.5 times it's length in width, and the depth and height should be equal to it's length. That arrangement makes them terrestrial but gives them more room to move around.

(that spends the day in it, but gets lots of attention)? What supplements (or ig food such as zoomed, monster, etc.) do you use, and have you had good health with these products?

IMO supplements are controvercial. No commercil food from the pet store at all. In the US, we can get the foods necessary for an ig's whole nutrition. The problem with supplementing is over-supplementing, leading to iver and kidny damage, among other things.

Thanks very much!!

You're welcome, but the reading will give your ig the best chance, you will be it's angel,

Roger