Post by mia on May 21, 2009 10:57:06 GMT -5
I recently became the owner of two juvenile iguanas.
One is a few weeks old and still fairly tiny that we got from the pet store and the next day we rescued an abused and neglected one from a flea market who is slightly bigger perhaps a few months old.The poor baby was starting to dehydrate and had even had his foot damaged and his tail broken off.Fortunately they love each other so far. They are currently being housed in a 55 gallon tank with branches and vines to climb and bask on until their room is finished which should be Sunday. They have basking as well as uvb heat and light.I take them out during the day in a screened terrarium to sun themselves. I mist the tank several times a day in addition to their daily baths. I have had them since last saturday and sunday for the second one and they aren't eating. I give them a variety of ten vegtables and fruit only 2 to 3 of which are fruits. We are using the feeding guidlines of Jen Swofford and Melissa Kaplan. The larger abused baby ate once 2 days ago greedily gobbling down about 3 or 4 mouthfuls of cantaloupe and assorted fruits and veggies. Aside from that, that is the only time either has consumed any food. My only other iguana I have ever owned was already three years old when I got him. I don't want my little guys to starve and I'm not sure if this is normal due to new enviornment or stress or if something else is wrong. The vet said just to leave them alone for a week or two but by then they might starve. I thought each would be happy now with their new lives and if it weren't for the not eating I would think they were. It's going on close to a week though. Anyone have any tips or advice on how to get them to eat or increase their appetite? I greatly appreciate any and all advice.
One is a few weeks old and still fairly tiny that we got from the pet store and the next day we rescued an abused and neglected one from a flea market who is slightly bigger perhaps a few months old.The poor baby was starting to dehydrate and had even had his foot damaged and his tail broken off.Fortunately they love each other so far. They are currently being housed in a 55 gallon tank with branches and vines to climb and bask on until their room is finished which should be Sunday. They have basking as well as uvb heat and light.I take them out during the day in a screened terrarium to sun themselves. I mist the tank several times a day in addition to their daily baths. I have had them since last saturday and sunday for the second one and they aren't eating. I give them a variety of ten vegtables and fruit only 2 to 3 of which are fruits. We are using the feeding guidlines of Jen Swofford and Melissa Kaplan. The larger abused baby ate once 2 days ago greedily gobbling down about 3 or 4 mouthfuls of cantaloupe and assorted fruits and veggies. Aside from that, that is the only time either has consumed any food. My only other iguana I have ever owned was already three years old when I got him. I don't want my little guys to starve and I'm not sure if this is normal due to new enviornment or stress or if something else is wrong. The vet said just to leave them alone for a week or two but by then they might starve. I thought each would be happy now with their new lives and if it weren't for the not eating I would think they were. It's going on close to a week though. Anyone have any tips or advice on how to get them to eat or increase their appetite? I greatly appreciate any and all advice.
That is one downfall of an iguana. So many other lizards do well in pairs... but sadly iguana's aren't anything close to that. Doing this is adding more stress to them.
