Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just got a new baby iguana about three days ago and i was wondering if i can start holding him or should i wait for him to get used to his new home and if so how long should i wait. Alo can i use heat rocks or is that bad for them.

I don't know about the handling issue but DO NOT use heat rocks. They can develope hot spots that can burn your ig. Your best bet is a human heat pad set on low (as well as the basking lamp of course).

I would give him time to settle in before trying to handle him.

Heat rocks aren't good for any reptiles as they tend to malfunction and over heat and can actually cook your animal! Use a basking spot bulb to heat a basking spot to about 100-110degrees, the rest of the tank should be an ambient of about 80 degrees. A full spectrum UVB bulb should always be provided. Also you should be misting your ig daily to keep the humidity and his hydration in check.

Iggys at this age grow like weeds! Feed him lots of good nutritious veggies (collard, mustard, danelion greens, endive, escarole...etc...etc) with good supplements.

I wish you and your new baby the best of luck!
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what are endive and escarole? i dont think i've ever seen them at the market i go to.

Escarole and endive are not among the lettuces. They are "chickory" greens and look like lettuce.
Curly endive is popular and can be found in many stores.

Roger

"A full spectrum UVB bulb ". Full spectrum is often on the lable to entice the buyer. These tubes give no UVB. The reptisun 5.0 or 10.0, and the IguanaLight 5.0 and 10.0 are proven as providing good UVB to iguanas.

This is one e-store that offers the Reptisun:
http://dogtrainingstore.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=ZMFS15

Roger

"just say no to heat rocks"

get a basking bulb and lamp instead to use for a heat source. it's much safer for your lil igg. if he's in a glass aquarium, a heat pad for night time might not be a bad idea.

good luck!

im not really sure how to explain endive or escarole...they are greens. Endive is "frilly" looking. And escarole is lighter green and leafier...

They are both pretty good staple greens
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats