|
Post by Marlette on Jan 25, 2007 10:54:23 GMT -5
Hi, i've had my iguana for just over 2 years now. We assume that it's a female, because of several signs. Her arms have recently started turning orange, that might give you an age estimate. The thing is, when we got her, she would nibble on her food, or merely lick it, but now she hardly touches it. We have to feed her every day. I've tried putting fresh food into her cage daily, but after a while, she was just skinny, but she still wouldn't eat. We also have some of the flavour inhancer stuff for iguana's, but then she just licks the pellets. What should I do? Over all, she's quite cute, never bites or hits, she's not aggressive at all.
|
|
|
Post by Marlette on Jan 25, 2007 13:26:02 GMT -5
Another thing, as far as I'm concerned, iguanas are supposed to like water and swimming? When in water, mine might take a sip or two, then start hopping against the sides of the sink/bath (she can't climb it, it's too slippery) but as if she's afraid of water. Also, as soon as me or my mom goes into my room, where her enclosure is, she'll start scratching against the perspex (like a dog wanting to go outside) but at other times she's at the back of her cage on a log.
One last question (I promise... I think ): We want to see if we can find someone with a male iguana to, you know... but I've heard that males bite the females on the head(?), and iguanas CAN bite, and I'm also a bit scared that she might still be too small to handle something like that. She grows, but extreeeeeemly slow. She sheds a lot, but I can only say that she's getting body (fat).
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Jan 29, 2007 17:13:07 GMT -5
Hi Marlette...:-) It sounds like you have a lot of reading to do. Orange is no indiction of age, although it does come in on their first breeding season at about 1 1/2 yrs. old. Males turn orange during breeding season, but it's not unheard of for females either. I had one female who was very orange. As for finding a male for your supposed female...why? Not for breeding I hope. There are tons of iguanas killed every year that are unwanted. They are America's #1 disposable lizard. Reptile rescue organizations are often so full they have to turn iguanas away. Please don't add to that. On top of that you need some tips on caring for the one you have without worrying about 60 baby iguanas you wouldn't get $2 a piece for in the petstores. Let's get down to what you provide for your ig now... . Don't feel overwhelmed by the questions. They're standard questions needed to know so you can make the changes needed to keep your ig alive. - How long is she? (svl & stl)
- What size cage do you have?
- What do you use for the bottom of the cage?
- What do you use for a heat source?
- What are the temperatures in the basking area, cool end and nighttime?
- What do you use to monitor your temps?
- What do you use for UVB? (Please state brand/make)
- How far away is the UVB source from your ig?
- What foods do you feed? (Please list each item)
- What state do you live in? (This can have a bearing on humidity)
Please answer these questions so we can better help you find the answers to your ig's lack of appetite and growth...:-)
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Jan 29, 2007 17:16:35 GMT -5
About the water... Some igs don't like water...especially if the bathtub or sink have white sides. They can't "see" the color...it's like a void. If you set something in the tub such as a rock that can be submerged she might take to the water better. Make sure it's warm...about 95-100 degrees. The digging at the cage may mean it's too small...but not always...your answer can help with this problem. I have a huge enclosure and Zair still "knocks" at the doors to come out... .
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Jan 29, 2007 17:20:22 GMT -5
I did read your other post on the care you have for your ig, but if you wouldn't mind adding them here I sure would appreciate it. Breaking the answers down individually seems to help find tweak...:-D
|
|
|
Post by Marlette on Jan 30, 2007 7:25:57 GMT -5
She doesn't really live in her cage anymore. She likes to sleep in my closet, and I do keep it open for fresh air and to keep an eye on her. We have a leash for her, but we don't use it anymore. When we go somewhere, se sits on the dashboard in the car, or she rests on my shoulder. She doesn't mind strange people handling her, but it annoyes her when they handle her tail. I live in South Africa, there aren't many people with iguanas, but they do sell quite easily at about $100 (american dollar) each. That's what I bought mine for, and that's still cheap. Her length is approximately 78cm (30.71inch) in total, and her tail alone is 53.5cm (21.06inch). Her cage is about 1.5m with a big water bowl on one side. We mostly feed her pellets (Kaytee: adult iguana), but from time to time we feed her beanstalks, strawberries, tomatoes, pepper (she likes that) and some other fruit. Sometimes rosepetals, apple, etc. etc. But as I said earlier, she's quite tame. Yesterday, I couldn't find her, she wasn't in my room, and I found her sitting on my windowsill, outside! When I brougth her back inside, she didn't struggle or anything
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Jan 30, 2007 8:47:29 GMT -5
It's good she's so easy to handle...:-) Zair likes to go out into public, too.
If they sold for that here I think people would care for them a little better.
So she's about 22cm svl. She's how old? She's only about the size of a 1 1/2 - 2 year old.
Whaich direction is it about 1.5m? The right size viv should be no less than 182cm T x 182 cm W x 91 cm D.
This needs some serious changes made. Those pellets are not a good food. Kaytee brand foods are not the best in general. If you need to use a pellet form there is only one recommended by iguana keepers/researchers and it the Rep-Cal iguana pellets. These should not be the biggest part of the diet though and they always need to be soaked in water or the ig will become hydrated. The pellets absorb water from the iguana's own internal storage source. Tomatoes are very high in acids. These are not a good food at all. You need a good supply of greens. Even in S.A. there should be some good greens available.
collard greens turnip greens mustard greens watercress escarole dandelion greens
Veggies can be: green beans parsnips snap peas okra
Squash: butternut acorn spaghetti delicata
Can you find any foods (greens in particular) from the lists above?
You did not include any of your light and heat sources. Please go back and look t those questions and include them. We just want to help find out why your girl isn't growing. The diet is a huge factor. Good foods are needed for good growth...:-)
|
|
|
Post by Marlette on Jan 30, 2007 11:29:15 GMT -5
A request to prismwolf: could you possibly e-mail my at ladybherd@gmail.com i want to send you a picture of what she looked like when we got her, and now. september 2006 was the second year we've had her, but i'm not sure how old she was.
the biggest problem at the moment is the not eating part, she also used to love papaya, but as i said, she doesn't eat on her own
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Jan 30, 2007 14:12:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Marlette on Jan 30, 2007 14:30:47 GMT -5
just so you know i just sent you an e-mail
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Jan 30, 2007 20:22:35 GMT -5
Thank you. I got your picture... . She has the potential of being a really pretty ig. In that early photo she doesn't look so hot. She's very dark. If you can get a more recent photo please send it...:-) Please answer the rest of the questions you did not answer before. In the meantime, if your girl isn't eating now you need to try and get her to. Feed her greens and squeeze some grape juice over the top. Igs love grapes! Cut the pieces smaller than the width of her mouth for easy eating. Vitamin B12 is a great apettite stimulant. Getting an injection done through a vet can really help her jumpstart her eating again. I'll be looking forward to the rest of your answers. I have only just heard of the Reptistar UVB light so I don't know much about them. I don't know how bad or good the decay rate is on those or anything. I'll have to ask around. Another question - How old is your Reptistar? Don't worry about not eating the okra. It's not a staple veggie. Some like it and some don't. There are other foods out there to feed...you just need to get her to eat them.
|
|
|
Post by really on Jan 31, 2007 20:23:22 GMT -5
Marlette, can you find a good reptile vet? I don't know much about South Africa, but if Iguana's sell for that much, it seems there must be veterinarians to care for them. A reptile vet could tell you a lot about her current state of health.
I can't give you any more care information than Veronica already has, but knowing the rest of the answers to Veronica's questions would help a lot. Check out anapsid.org and Iguana Den for good diet and care information. You really need to get her into eating more fresh foods. We primarily use the Iguana Den diet for our iguanas, though they tend to get a bit more Rep Cal pellets in winter when I can't get as much fresh food in the grocery. The best thing for your iguana, though is lots of fresh dark leafy greens (but no lettuce or spinach!).
Susan
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Feb 3, 2007 18:31:47 GMT -5
Marlette...very sorry I haven't gotten back to you. Your girl is very small for her age. I'm posting your email here so you might get more answers than just mine. There are certainly more than one right way to do things as a general rule. The 3 things that never change is what they need to survive and thrive; 1) UVB, 2)correct temps, 3) Good diet. The right sized enclosure also makes a difference.
It's literally impossible to say how old she is by her size. She has not had the right care so will not be the size she should be compared to an ig whose care was right of the same age. You gave me the dimensions of the cage again. If you read the other post where I answered each individual issue...you will see the size she needs. As far as the funny breathing. Every iguana I've ever given baths to do the same thing. It's normal...:-) As for the grape juice...I'm sorry I didn't make that very clear. You're going to get messy on that one...:-D Get some fresh seedless grapes...green or red...doesn't matter. This is what you'll squeeze over the food. Igs colors change at night because their body temps cool...and they're blending in with the darker shadows of night. Night predators are less likely to see them if they blend more with the shadows.
PLEASE make the changes needed to get your girl back on track. You still have not stated what the temps are in your cage and how you monitor them. This is important too. Getting this info has been difficult. It would have been easier if you listed everything in the one reply.
|
|
|
Post by Marlette on Feb 15, 2007 14:50:41 GMT -5
the temperature is about 31degrees Celcius (about 88 fahrenheit?) i can't really bring it down, since that's the current temperature outside, as for heating it up, that might be a bit much. she seems to like broccolli, i've tried that, but i still have to feed her.
|
|
|
Post by prismwolf on Feb 17, 2007 17:17:22 GMT -5
Marlette...you have been given advice to get your ig healthy. 88 is NOT high enough. Broccoli should be fed very sparingly. This is only a once in a while food. You came here for advice...you've been given good advice. I strongly suggest you go to these sites and do your reading: www.iguanaanswers.co.uk/www.anapsid.orgwww.greenigsociety.orgwww.iguanaden.orgThese will tell you the same thing we've been telling you. Pack a lunch...and dinner...you will be at each one for quite some time. Concentrate on diet, cage size, and temperatures.
|
|