New Iguanas, can't get them to eat. Need advice.

[susanathill]

We just got two new iguanas and I can't get them to eat anything. The small one just climbs up onto the bigger one or under it and they won't come down to eat. Can they starve to death? We don't have to have lights or anything like that because we live in the Caribbean and have an average temperature of 84 F. We have had them for five days and I am really worried now. Can anyone advise. The picture is of the larger one, his name is Zig. How can I tell how old they are?

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[ChamZilla]

Hello and welcome!

Well yes they can starve to death. But it usually takes awhile. For one... Iguana's are solitary animals and should each have there own enclosure. When they get older they WILL kill each other sooner or later if they are two males. Two females can also kill each other as well. That could be one reason they arn't eating.

With an average temperature of 84F that is good. Do you have some shade where they can get out of the sun to cool themselves down? They need that to survive properly as well. Also the iguana in the photo looks as if he is at a young age... since they are young the night time temperature can't get below 75F it isn't good for them either. So if need be, bring them inside at night and back out when the temperature goes above 75F in the day time. (I'm not familiar with the temperatures where you are from as I am from Canada)

What are you offering them to eat? Are they drinking any water? Anything else you may be able to tell me about what they do on a day to day basis would be appreciated and help me help you more.

[susanathill]

Thanks for the advice. I will seperate them tomorrow. We live in Antigua in the West Indies, so I don't think we ever see a temperature of 75. I found a website called the Iguana Society, (or something like that), anyway, they have a very good list of foods on there and also tell you whether they should be given often, or sometimes, etc. I have offered them different things everyday as I am trying to tempt them to eat. I think one of them ate some banana today. I have given them shredded or cut up butternut squash, grapes, pear cactus, apple, okra, hibiscus leaves, kale, carrot, and christophene. The first sign of them eating anything was a little banana this afternoon. Zig, the big one, defacated yesterday, so maybe he will get hungry now. Do you know how I can tell how old they are?

[susanathill]

I see you mentioned socialising them. How do I do that? I have two children, 9 and 11. It was my 11 year old who started the whole iguana thing. He really wanted one when he saw them in the pet store. Iguanas are not ideal pets for kids, but he is sensible and is keenly interested. The care advice they give in the pet store is all wrong. Had to do a lot of research. We had a baby that died because the pet store told us to put wood shavings on the floor of the cage. I have since found out that the wood shavings are harmful and cause problems with the respiritory system. The iguanas they sell in the pet store are caught in the wild in Barbuda (our sister island). Anyway, the reason I mention the children is that our place is anything but quiet and we have three cats. Zig and Zag do not seem to be affected by the noise, and are starting to pay attention to us now. They tilt their heads and look at us. Before they would just be stock still when we are around and only move their eyes. anyway, I will keep you posted how we get on and if you have any further advice, I appreciate all of it.

[ChamZilla]

Hello again

Ok just a few things...... According to the list you just told me of foods you are offering to much fruit fruit should only be used as a small portion of there diet. Greens (collards, dandelion, kale, turnip greens) should make up over 70% of there diet. I'm sure it says the ratios on Iguana den... that is also a great food list. I would have posted a link to a simalir one after I heard your food list. You have water available at all times though right?

Iguana's also won't eat if they are getting to hot... There night time temperatures have to go down in order for there body to thermal regulate... but if you have them on the island next to you I'm sure the temperature is fine. Just don't let them get to hot which would be anything over 99F as if they get much higher in temperature they are at high risk for brain damage. If they are outside provide them with a good chunk of there enclosure shaded in so they can get out of the sun which will help keep them cooler.

Socializing them means taking them out and holding them, or petting them in there enclosures. Things like that... when they are small there natural instinct is to run away or bite. BUT a small iguana bite doesn't hurt nearly as much as a full grown iguana bite.. nor would you probably require stich's. When an iguana is full grown you can suffer MAJOR injuries so its important when they are growing up. It is ok for kids to handle them just be sure they wash there hands after doing so. Also don't let your iguana hang out on the table or counter or anywhere you need to prepare food as they CAN carry parasites/bacterias. Another point is there tail... get them used to you touching it, but NEVER pull on it or pick them up by it as they can detach it (I'm sure you were aware of that) and then they will bleed and could get an infection in the wound if not properly cleaned and the tail will never grow back the same. Getting them used to touching the tail helps them if they accidently get it pulled on or get it caught on something.

As for there age.... its hard to age iguana's. My 4 year old looks the same today that he did 4 years ago. Other than his size, but in photos you can't tell how big he really is. Could you send me some photos of them with something to compare to, that would help me out with there size. Do you know what sex's they are?

Post me a few more photos and I will TRY and help you out with that.