Iguana
By mergl81
@mergl81 (195)
United States
February 4, 2007 7:48pm CST
Yesterday we picked up an iguana and he's not in the best shape. He's 3 1/2' tp 4' long. He looks dehydrated and he's got a bad temperment. I know he's stressed from being moved to a new home but the cage the people kept him in is filthy and too small. We are in the process of getting him a bigger cage built and are giving him a healthier diet. So far we cannot touch him but I know that will take time. It breaks my heart to see him like this. I can't wait to get him into his new habitat and get him heathly again. If anyone has any tips from owning a iguana it would help greatly. I have three books on them and I am studying all about taking care of them. I'm just glad we got him out of the environment he was in. I think at one time he was cared for but his previous owner got cancer and could not go into his cage anymore to clean it or to handle him and his wife wasn't too fond of him so that's probably how his cage got filthy.
I'm just trying to give Spike a good life.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@Lush_heidi (994)
• United States
5 Feb 07
My daughter had two named spike and squigy. One was really small and weak and scared. Just give him time,and once he is used to attention and love, he will be better. He may have to get used to new foods or better foods than what he was used to. I would call a store that deals with exotics or a vets office and see if they have any more advice. They can be a lot of fun. So hang in there!
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
8 Feb 07
That was nice of you to rescue him. Give him some time and I'm sure he will do well. I want to tell you what we did for a cage. We found someone who was giving away an entertainment stand,one of the big ones. We took out the shelves and enclosed the front with chicken wire. I liked having the front open because he could see more but if it was cold, we covered the front with a blanket. Luckily, there was already a glass door so we didn't have to worry about making one. Then we went out into the woods and cut off some good sized limbs. We took all the bark off themt and made them smooth. We placed them in different positions in the cage so he could climb around. On the top of the stand, we cut out holes for the lamps but we put chicken wire in the holes then placed the lamps on top of the wire so he couldn't get to close to the light and possibly burn himself. Cleaning the cage was always fun. Mine wasn't very friendly either. We made sure no other animals were in the room and we opened his door. We sometimes had to coax him out with food. he roamed around the room until we were done cleaning his cage. getting him back in the cage was even better.lol. We made a ramp so he could get up to the door, then we took pillows or cardboard and gently moved him towards his door. It took awhile but he went. I hope this was of some help to you. Enjoy your new pet.
1 person likes this
@mergl81 (195)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Thanks for the advice. I never thought of using a entertainment stand. I just might have to look into that. Yesterday we were able to get him out and give his cage s good cleaning. It was really hard to get him back in but my husband put on a thick coat and some gloves and scooped him up. He kept trying to whip him with his tail. He seems happier about his clean cage though. He even let me husband hand feed him. He didn't seem to have a problem when I went in there to clean the old newspaper out and put fresh one's in. I guess he's a little tame and just needs to get use to us.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Oh yeah, that tail sure does hurt if he gets you. Ours was about four feet long and I think half of him was tail.lol.
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@mercury1060 (771)
• Indonesia
5 Feb 07
I don't really like reptiles, so I don't know anything about iguana....
@mygreyparrot (1461)
• United States
5 Feb 07
I just love iguanas! I swear though, they are one of the most abused pets in the pet trade. Especially in the reptile trade. People buy these cute little green guys for their 5 year olds, not even thinking of what it will be like to have a 6' lizard. I commend you for taking in that poor baby, and hope everything works out okay with him! I've always loved iggy's, but I know I'd have no way to care properly for one. I stick to my other reptiles - a blue tongue skink, a bearded dragon, and a crested gecko!
1 person likes this
@BunGirl (2638)
• United States
5 Feb 07
My suggestion to you would be to call a reptile rescue group in your area. I did a check on petfinder.com and the closest one I could find is MARS Reptile and Amphibian Rescue in Baltimore. Their number is 410-580-0250. They have several iguanas on their list right now, so I know they handle them. Most rescues are more than happy to share their expertize with folks who honestly want to help their animals, so they'll probably be your best resource. Good luck!
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD153.html
1 person likes this
@firoafame (359)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
6 Feb 07
great job. i suggest clea him first. as you dont want any diseases. about the cage. if you can build it build it or buy one. all the best.
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