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My wife just called me to let me know that she is bringing home an iguana that was found at a local construction site. I have just a couple of questions... 1) What is an iguana and can I house it with my python? OK bad attempt at a joke. I have read about the basic care etc. My question is what are a couple of things that we can do to alleviate some of the stress for it? It is currently in a 20 gal. tank (the ig is shorter than that but not by much). We are only supposed to have it for a couple of days (but we all know how that goes. I am going to post a pic of it as soon as she gets it home. I am looking at keeping it in either the bathroom or our bedroom away from the furry irritations we have. Any quick fix that we can do (besides cage size) to make it less stressed and more comfortable (outside of the basics - basking spot, heat, food, etc)? Thanks for your time!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

You are on the right track as far as keeping him secluded from the rest of the "furries". I would not handle him much other than basic neccessities for at least a week. Let him adjust. If you do have him for the long haul definitely get him out of that dinky cage! It's way too small. Kudos to you for taking on this poor little guy! I hope things work out. Don't be surprised if he doesn't eat much for a few weeks. That's pretty normal but keep an eye out. Lots of Igs come to homes sick so I'd get him to the vet for a check-up and a fecal test as soon as possible. Can't wait to see his picture!! JN
Link

Thanks for the quick response. I am trying to find the camera at the momment but I was suprised about his color, VERY bright green with yellowish stripes. It had been found in a cardboard box at a construction site. Someone at the PetStore my wife works at commented that it looked like he was kept with access to sunlight. He/She is incredibly alert and downed greens as soon as we put them in. This is the first ig I have ever been around but MAN! now I know why people do love them- personality and more! I am starting to wonder if we are going to give him up or end up with him ourselves... Our reptile vet is out for a couple of days but we are going to check the fecal asap! Thanks!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

That's great! How big is he? Have you measured him yet? Well, I'm glad you are hooked. It's not uncommon for people to go gaga over their igs. My friends think I'm crazy but they have no idea! *grin* Looking forward to that picture when you get a chance. JN

Here's a couple of pics of him. We will find out today if the local rescue can take him in or if I need to go out and buy an enclosure for him. I'm still mixed on which way to go with it.

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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

What a cutie! How does he react to your presence, touch, etc.? If you do decide to keep him be sure you get yourself a good reference book. There are several out there. I like the one by Melissa Kaplan called "Iguanas for Dummies" but there's also another by James Hatfield. I don't recall the name of it though. Anyway, I sure hope you keep him because chances are the pound will euthanize him. It's so hard to find good homes for igs these days, believe me! JN

There is no way I would ever give any animal to a pound, thanks for the concern on that though! It is sad that some people just don't care who their once beloved friend is given to. He is really sweet and after checking with the local rescue and finding that they are going to be getting animals in from the hurricane, we were about to give up on finding a good home for him and keep him ourselves. Or so we thought... I took my boys over to a skateboard park near us and was talking to the owner about it he has a friend who was getting ready to set up everything and get one. The owner of the park has had iguanas before as has his friend so there was no illusion of a wonderful little green friend that sits in a 10 gal tank! We are going to take care of it for the next week or so while he gets everything setup just right for it!

Thank you so much for your help! Hopefully in a short couple of years I will be back on here to announce that we have one of our own!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

OOOoooooo....I love happy endings! Have the new owner email us if he needs any info at triangleiguanarescue.com. Take care, JN