Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 3 weeks ago, we adopted Ike, a 2 1/2 year old ig (Still not 100% sure of sex, I'm starting to think male). Lately, he seems to be trying to dig his way out through the glass. He seems happy with us, does anyone know of a reason that he'd be doing this? We're planning to cover the sides of the tank so he can't see through it, but he's been clawing at the front glass as well (He's in a 70 gallon aquarium, currently about 3 ft from nose to tail ans hasn't started to bulk out yet. I know he needs a larger enclosure, he'll be getting one within the next few months).

Also, what is the significance of the numbers on the lists of pets people use as sigs?

Sounds like he is trying to get out. Not sure why, probably hates the cage. Iguanas want something to do, not just a place to sit all day and stare at everything. What do you have in the cage with him? Yeah, you are right, you need a MUCH bigger cage and ASAP. That really is to small for him. The numbers in peoples signatures is the amount of each sex of animal they have. The first number is the males, second is females and third is if you are unsure of sex.
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Amanda
1.0.0 Ball Python (Sin)
1.0.0 Albino Burmese Python (Monty)
1.1.0 Green Iguana (Ziggy(rest in peace), Glenn Danzig,Franklin(ADOPTED OUT!), Doris)
0.0.1 Green Tree Forg (Starsky)
3.10.0 Leo
1.0.0 Blue Tongue Skink (Stubs)
arb@ksu.edu

To answer your question, there is a high stone tower for him to lay on, a cave/hiding area, a large water dish and 3 largish logs for him to climb on and allow access to the tower. The reason for not changing the cage immediately is that we plan on moving out of town very soon and intend to custom build something to suit the room. We give him as much time out of the tank as we can, between bathing him and just letting him explore the bedroom (With the cats locked out of it). I'm wondering if he doesn't like the fact that the cats are allowed in the room when Ike is in his tank? He might also be slightly upset with the changes... Everything is there that he is used to, except his hot rock, but the guy we bought him from didn't show us how to position everything properly, so things in the tank have been moved...
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0.1.0 Ball Python - Shaman
0.0.1 Green Iguana - Ike
0.0.1 Green Treefrog - Ernie
0.0.1 Squirrel Treefrog - Bert
2.2.0 Cats - Pumpkin, Furball, Pixie, Stich
1.0.0 Cockatiel - Ozzy
0.1.0 Budgie - Tweetie
0.1.0 Betta - Isis

Stress is generally the reason that an iguana will 'dig', or rub it's snout within an enclosure, trying to escape. The source of that stress is left for you to determine. Basically, the iguana is letting you know that it isn't happy. Generally suspect are appropriate basking temperatures, or other inadequacies with the environment - in your case, size and layout are likely culprits. The aquarium is much too small, and is horizontally oriented. The longer you wait to provide your animal with a suitable cage (at least 6' long and 6' high), the longer you subject it to stress, and a likely deterioration of it's health and behavior.

Do you let the animal roam? If not, you may want to consider a high, safe spot in your home that you are comfortable letting the animal explore, and make use of. Set up a basking light and allow the animal outside of the aquarium you are currently housing it in. At the very least this allow some time for your animal to socialize with you, explore, and become more familiar with it's new home.

He is a "She", and probably gravid. If so, I recommend a vet visit ASAP. If he is a "he",(after the vet visit), then there might be something in the enclosure stressing hm. Before Iggi was a free roamer, and was in an enclosure, we had a small AC powered fountain in Iggi's enclosure, to raise the humidity. To our human ears, it was almost silent. To Iggi, she couldn't stand it, and couldn't get away. She went wild, running around to find a way out.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

Well, there is a vet visit in the immediate future, just because we think it's smart with any new pet. However, as far as I'm aware, he/she has never been around another ig, so I don't think that's it... I've tried looking at the pores, they're small, but I thought that because of the age it might not be a good indication... The closet door is mirrored, and he goes straight to it when he's free and we have to carry him away, I'll have to check and see if it's visible from the tank...
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0.1.0 Ball Python - Shaman
0.0.1 Green Iguana - Ike
0.0.1 Green Treefrog - Ernie
0.0.1 Squirrel Treefrog - Bert
2.2.0 Cats - Pumpkin, Furball, Pixie, Stich
1.0.0 Cockatiel - Ozzy
0.1.0 Budgie - Tweetie
0.1.0 Betta - Isis

I wish iguanas were that simple Female iguanas WILL become gravid without the need for a male. (Like a chicken). Iggi has never been with another iguana, since she was bought, but has been gravid 3 times so far, and looks like she's getting ready for gravidity again. If she is gravid, the vet needs to do a bloodwork on her, to check her calcium levels. An Xray will also show if there are eggs, as this will affect her appetite, as the eggs get larger.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~