hi all, i dont have an iguana but i have been seriusly thinking of haveing one for quite some time tme now. in the past i have kept many many diffrent types of snakes and lizzards ,frog scorpions,tarrantauls evrything u can imagine but i have always wanted an igauna.could you plz send me some info on igaunas such as mojor dose and donts :worship: plz help
igauna info noob help
- Thread starter wonderwes
- Start date
to be honest i ahve had several..including huge five footers.
all of them were a pain..and can get very mean and dangerous.
i have had to tackle mine like a football player and wrestle it, while it was biting, scratching, and whipping me with its tail.
they can do serious damage to you, and are territorial,require alot of room, and have many specific requirements.
i would choose something less high maintenance and more friendly.
well i am not being a smartelic or dening <cant spell what u say i am fairly sure i could handle one i acctualy like a challenge i am currently in college for biology and have plenty of free time since i dont have a job my life is very relaxed right now and i realy would like something to keep me bussy
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- Nov 8, 2006
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Well man, they are not cheap!! They need there own room! Not a small cage, a room, and they need $40 UVB lights, plus a big salad twice a day (not just a pile of iceberg lettuce) Besides all that, they could take your fingers off, they have a very strong bite, there claws are over an inch long and can rip you up something awful, not to mention the tail can lay you open like a bull whip.
I'd say start with a beardy or something like that first, then move up to the iguana.
But that all said, they are of my most favorite lizard of all times!!
~Samuel
I'd say start with a beardy or something like that first, then move up to the iguana.
But that all said, they are of my most favorite lizard of all times!!
~Samuel
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You say that "right now" you have a lot of time and things are very relaxed so you would have time for handling and care.... please realize that the main reason iguanas are the #1 most abandoned reptile is the fact that many people have time for them "right now" but not for the duration of their entire lifespan. An iguana that doesn't get constant handling throughout its life - as in not only when it's a cute little 6" baby, but also when it's a surly 6' adult - becomes an aggressive, unruly, unmanagable animal. And that is a long time to be committed (anywhere from 15 to 30 years!). Over those years, you'll need a fresh diet with a rich variety of leafy greens (plus some fruits, veggies, and protein items), vitamin and mineral suppliments, countless UVB and basking bulbs, a huge enclosure with plenty of perching (a full grown iguana really can't be kept in a standard vivarium; most people will convert a large closet or a small room), and probably some pretty substantial vet bills. It's a lot of money for a student, and as you mentioned, you lack a job. Also, I'd imagine as a bio major, you'll be spending a lot of time in the field, which also means travelling; I have a friend majoring in cognition within the bio field, and he's never in the same state it seems since he must go where the research takes him. Ever try to find a pet sitter for an aggressive 4' lizard? Heh.
Not trying to be a huge downer and say "no, no no!" I actually fully intend to own an iguana one day... but only when I have a permenant, purchased house, a stable job, a decent salary, and have the time and money to invest in setting up a proper enclosure and providing appropriate nutrition. Iguanas are abandoned far too often when they become too overwhelming for their owners, so it is the natural instinct of anyone who loves them to strongly urge new owners to really consider their situation short term and long term before buying.
Speaking of buying... if you do opt to get an iggy, see if any local rescues have youngish ones. There is really no need to buy an iguana ever with the thousands in rescues across the country who really need homes, of all ages, sizes, and temperaments. If you can get a young specimen, taming should be no issue, so you'll save a life AND have a long term buddy.
Not trying to be a huge downer and say "no, no no!" I actually fully intend to own an iguana one day... but only when I have a permenant, purchased house, a stable job, a decent salary, and have the time and money to invest in setting up a proper enclosure and providing appropriate nutrition. Iguanas are abandoned far too often when they become too overwhelming for their owners, so it is the natural instinct of anyone who loves them to strongly urge new owners to really consider their situation short term and long term before buying.
Speaking of buying... if you do opt to get an iggy, see if any local rescues have youngish ones. There is really no need to buy an iguana ever with the thousands in rescues across the country who really need homes, of all ages, sizes, and temperaments. If you can get a young specimen, taming should be no issue, so you'll save a life AND have a long term buddy.
i appericate your thoughts although i am a bio major thats not realy my carreer feild though i am am going to school for genetic engineering but i have to get a biology degree,yeah right i wish we spent time in the field we never d anything its mostly just nursing stuff
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If you haven't already, you need to check out www.anapsid.org and maybe even www.triciaswaterdragon.com ~ Rex