Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just adopted a sweet 4 ft male iguana. He is adorable and friendly. I live in Fl. and have him in a huge walk in cage outside. The previous owners really spoiled him and gave him an egg a day and other foods he shoul not have. Anyway I have been making him salads with all the good things, hibiscus leaves and flowers also but he is not impressed. He will not eat I came near him eating a sandwhich and he lunged at the bread eating a huge bite,Now what do I do! I hand fed him yesterday and he ate a cupful of greens. I do not want him to get weak. Also , will his previous diet have done any damage to him. ?

A high protein diet could cause kidney issues. Underlying problems are generally done by bloodwork interpreted by a reptile vet.

Keep doing what you are doing, offer him healthy salads. He can (and will) only hold out for so long. Eventually he will get hungry and eat what is there for him (this will be long before he starves himself) iguana's love to eat. He will get used to it. Also, some pet stores sell appetite stimulaters which are sprays that give food a high smell and make them especially appetizing. Also, try some high color foods, that may entice him.

Emily

My new ig is eating like mad! and he does not try to escape any longer. he climbs the branches, cools off in the lagoon and suns himself like a king. I just wormed him also. he acts like a puppy dog .

Congratulations! I have an Iguana also in an outdoor atrium, and he has really changed his personality being outdorrs and 4-foot long, now. He no longer closes his eyes when I reach up to pet him. Can you post a pic of your outdoor enclosure?

How else has he changed, Maureen? I recently moved my 2yo ig outside. He's in a large strong mesh enclosure on my screen porch. The way it is positioned, he gets a few hours of direct sunlight (if he wants) when the screen door is opened in the afternoon.

It's taking some time for him to adjust. He finally seems to be settling in after the change. He is much more active but eats less. I don't know if it's stress or breeding season related.

Curious to how your ig changed after being moved outside.

Well, it has only been a couple of weeks, if that, that he has been outside, making for cooler nights, but potentially hotter days if he stays on the upper shelf where the sun reaches him. I think it was Cindy who said, "Iguanas do not like change!" And I think that is right. It took him a while to settle down, but I feel that he is more comfortable with me now than ever before. I walk into his territory to reach up and pet him. The first few days he was out there, he went to every glass door and pawed to get into the house!! He also does not seem to eat as much, but is not losing weight. He watches what goes on in the house. They are curious intelligent animals. I also think he is growing and getting more orange since outside. But he is now extremely docile and really likes being rubbed and patted. It is wonderful to see.

how do i post a picture?

Too funny! I don't know how either. No excuses, but we should both learn. I just saw a post from phchristie in the Collared Lizard forum. Check out her post, she is probably at phchristie@pethobbyist.com? We both need to learn!!

Whoops! It is christy with a "y".