LONG ISLAND PRESS (Garden City, New York) 16 June 05 It's Not Easy Being Green - The Sad Truth About Pet Iguanas (Alicyn Leigh)
Some people fancy exotic pets, like iguanas, but owning one requires very specific care, especially when it comes to their housing needs. There are many crucial factors to weigh when considering bringing one of these impressive spiny lizards into your home.
And that's a growing problem, according to Bob Smith, chairman of the International Fauna Society and the Serpentarium in Riverhead, LI's only live indoor reptile park. He says homeless iguanas are on the rise due to unprepared owners who make ill-advised purchases, as well as those who win iguanas and other reptiles at carnivals where they are shamefully awarded as prizes.
"Iguanas are one of the most critically displaced pets in America right now, simply because the general public is not given proper information about their current and future care by the pet retail industry," Smith says. "Everyone has seen those cute little green lizards in pet stores and on the carnival circuit. The wholesalers churn these little guys out by the thousands and sell them dirt cheap, usually for less than $10. What most people don't know is that cute little greenie has the potential to grow up to 6 feet long and has very specific dietary and husbandry needs that can become expensive very quickly."
They also live more than 15 years, so a prospective owner must be willing to commit a good chunk of his or her life to caring for a large lizard that will eventually need to have an area big enough to house it. Iguanas also require ultraviolet B lighting or they can become very ill. These bulbs are expensive, and owners often substitute incandescent lighting to cut costs.
"Reptiles are often a result of the impulse buy: The shopper sees this cute little creature and falls in love," Smith continues. "They often leave with a new pet they have absolutely no idea how to care for."
When one is sure that they can properly raise an iguana, they will need a correct setup in their home. Iguanas need lots of room, not only because they will grow to a length of 6 feet, but they like to be high off the ground, so the enclosure will require stout branches for them to lie on. Iguanas also require a basking spot of around 95 degrees and the overall temperature should not drop below 75. High humidity is a necessity and is difficult to attain, particularly during our dry Long Island winters.
As for diet, iguanas are herbivores, requiring large quantities of dark leafy green vegetables and occasional fruit. Although they will eat meat, it is not beneficial to their digestive tract and kidneys and serving it should be frowned upon. Iguanas are attracted to colors, since they are used to eating flowers in the wild, so they tend to eat colorful foreign objects like plastic toys.
"We know of one iguana that swallowed a child's sock, which had to be surgically removed," Smith shares.
Importantly, Smith notes that iguanas are not good pets for children. An iguana is a challenge for even experienced reptile owners. They are high-strung, and at times outright aggressive. Iguanas also have razor sharp claws and teeth that can inflict a great deal of damage. There have even been instances where adult male iguanas, upon reaching sexual maturity, will attempt to mate with a human female!
Regarding choosing an iguana, Smith says that healthy specimens are alert, their eyes are clear and open, their dorsal spines stand straight. And they should have all their toes and toenails and a complete tail. Any loose stools could be an indication of a diseased animal. The best place to acquire one is through rescue organizations. There are so many unwanted animals available, it would be a crime to fuel the fire and purchase more innocent victims from the large pet retailers.
"One of the services that we offer at the Serpentarium is reptile rescue and adoption," Smith explains. "We get an average of six to 10 calls per week from people wanting to donate green iguanas they can't or don't want to care for anymore. The unfortunate reality is that many of these animals will end up euthanized because a home cannot be found for them."
Further, Smith asks the public not to release any unwanted pets into the woods or fields near their homes.
"This not only poses a danger to the animal newly liberated, but to the native population as well. Many times what one species is immune to can kill another very quickly," Smith says.
Contact: Bob Smith, IFS & The Serpentarium, 213 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-722-5488, www.faunasociety.org/Serpe- ntarium.html.
It's Not Easy Being Green - The Sad Truth About Pet Iguanas