Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently came across a place that was keeping a green iguana.They were giving the animal beer,crickets,and potatoes.So I called the law.I asked them what they were going to do with the iguana.The response i got was it will be put down.I asked them why.They said no place around here deals with reptiles.I have been keeping pythons and boas for years.A few lizards bearded dragons and timor monitors.But dont know much about iguanas.The closest pet shop from me is 70 miles.And i have to wait til payday to get a book on it.So far i grabbed a extra uvb bulb out of the closet.I realize iguanas are arboreal but flexwatt was all i had.So i put a heat pad under one end of its enclosure on a helix thermostat and set it at 95 degrees.I have heard iguanas need high realtive humidity.So its on damp cypress mulch with most the top covered.The hygrometer is reading 70%.And i gave it some collard greens,mustard greens,and dandelions i normally feed the beardies.And i sprinkled some reptical on them.The place i got it from said they havent had it long.It doesnt appear to be suffering from MBD and it has good weight.And despite what its been through its docile in nature.I plan to build a 8ft wide 6ft tall 4ft front to back enclosure for it in my office.For now i have it in a 165 gallon as described.Anything else i should be doing for it in the meantime til i can get some books and read up.Also is there anyway to tell what sex it is? I dont plan to breed the animal.Just would help figure out what to name it.I was told its a female. But the people i got it from werent too smart. So i dont know.Its about 4ft long bright green belly and a rust color on the sides.I want to give this animal a good home.But i just got it and dont know much about it.And i dont get paid til friday to drive 70 miles to get the books i need.I figure what i have done so far has to be better than the filth it was living in,and them giving it beer.
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kevin
36 pythons and boas and 4 lizards

I'm not the ig expert, but I posted first!

Newspaper and daily baths/misting would be better than the mulch. Although you are on the right track, mulch is an impaction hazard, especially since they tongue flick and eat from the floor.

The diet sounds good-collards, mustards, kale, turnips, squashes, green beans, etc. Fruit is 10-20% of the diet-mango, banana, grapes, papaya, etc. Supplement with calcium that contains no phosphorous (should be same for your beardies).

Here are some links (hope they are OK to post) that can help until you get to the book store. Iguanas for Dummies is great. Cindy will post and she's a treasure trove of help.

You'll have Goggle, sorry I don't know the link to some:
Iguana Den
Green Iguana Society
www.anapsid.org

>>Here are some links (hope they are OK to post) that can help until you get to the book store. Iguanas for Dummies is great. Cindy will post and she's a treasure trove of help.
>>

SNORT, Im no expert, I just play one on Kingsnake.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Bookwise, order right online from kingsnake and save the gas.
Green Iguana; Ultimate Owners Manual This book has great diagrams on building a giamongous cage. looks like you can get a good deal on a used book for like 4 bucks!
Iguanas For Dummies This is a great reference book reads easy and has a lot of practical user assistance.
MKs iguana site This should give you a good research base.

As for sexing, shoot a clear side view pic of the head and the underside of the rear legs including vent area and post them. We should be able to help with that. Dump the cypress. Iguanas are notorious for eating loose substrate and getting impacted. Newspaper will work fine. Add in some shredded squash and yams and parsnips and perhaps some chopped fruit like berries. (your beardies will like this too)

Hit up that website tho, it will give you a lot of really good information.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!