Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Within the week I adopted the sick iguana, he died.

He bloated one day, and threw up breakfast the next.

He was being fed mashed apple, peach(his favorite), collard green, and carrot fortified with HerpCal and Herptivite. It smelled like a berry. Water on the side. He got sunshine everyday his only enjoyment, and because his tank was insufficent he was housed in the bathroom with an individual thermostat.

No living animal should have to go through starvation and thirst deprivation.

The mother thought that it might have died because I overfed it, a comforting thought for her considering what her adult son put it through.

I even dreamed I saw it backing up through my bedroom where own healthy lizards lived. I was sure it was dead but it continued down the hall. This poor lizard looked dead when I went to pick it up.

I myself do not even feel like children should be allowed pets. I also think most people do not even know what they are getting into when they buy iguanas.

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-Nicole

2.1.0 collared lizards
2.0.0 side-blotched lizards
1.0.0 desert tarantula
small tropical fishes

Sorry to hear about your loss. At least this Iggys last days were a little better than what it soudns like his former owners were doing. I agree that iguanas are not good pets for children. But the parents of those children bear a large responsiblity in it too. Like my ozzy for example. I got him from my niece who had gotten him for her 4 year old son. The child tried to kiss him, he bit him on the nose, and that was it, the child was no longer interested in the iggy. So I decided to buy him off of her for my 12 year old son at the time. Figureing he was a bit older and more responsible etc. Well he did ok for about a year, then my son lost intrest as kids often do. So i considered finding him a new home, but decided i made that choice to purchase him and it was my responsiblity to care for him. And well by then i was attached to him. So i moved him out of my sons room and he became my pet. Now about 3 years later, hes a happy, healthy iguana, and i dont regret my decision in the least bit. But i also hope this showed my son that you dont just get rid of a animal when you get bored with it or it becomes difficult to care for. Its your responsiblity for life in my opinion, kind of like kids. Not sure where i was going with this rant, just that i understand where your coming from. Sorry again for your loss. Tami