Lack of Iguana knowledge in South Africa

[nurtle]

After years of begging and pleading with my poor wife, I recently purchased a green iguana (not sure of exact age - more juvenile than hatchling) at the Reptile Expo in Kyalami (Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikestopfo ... 7214644279).

Because I have kept reptiles before and am serious about it, I decided to read up as much as I could before getting an iguana. Being a beautiful, exotic and large lizard, it's not surprising that iguanas are in demand. It's also surprising, if you consider their are in excess of 8 million iguanas in captivity in the US (no ideas of numbers in South Africa), that so little is known about them, except for a small segment of herps who give a damn about acquiring and sharing knowledge. I found a stack of info online at the Green Iguana Society (http://www.greenigsociety.org/) and bought some excellent books from Amazon (the best being James Hatfield's Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual) and was shocked at how little I actually knew.

The scary thing is at the Expo and in dealings in general with reptile stores and retailers (and I've visited maybe 20 or so different places), it's shocking 1. how badly captive iggy's are kept and 2. how little the so-called 'experts' know about these fascinating lizards.

Our little one (not sure of sex yet) has completely stolen our hearts and even though, having had both a human and iguana baby, it's easily more demanding

So I was hoping, as someone absolutely dedicated to exceptional care and handling of iggys, that this forum (and more specifically this thread) could put me in touch with others who want to share knowledge and enjoy their pets as much as I am doing. Hopefully I can also, as I learn, provide some advice and insight for new and potential iggy owners.

[Iggy]

hi there
I also recommend that book whenever I hear someone is buying an iguana for exactly the reasons you mention...when we bought our little guy (now a truly magnificent big boy ) he was almost dead, sitting on sand in a box with no lighting of any sort, with a "desert" background, with only a (whole) apple to eat - which needless to say he hadn't touched in 3 weeks. Today I am so proud to see him in his new enclosure, will post pics soon - approx 5m x 3 m x 3m (not good at estimating length so could be a bit either way) complete with rocks, waterfalls and plants...
good luck with your baby, he/she will give you many years of joy and it is so good to hear someone really taking the time to find out their needs

[nurtle]

Hey Iggy

Sounds awesome. Yeah I walked away from the Expo with a bitter-sweet feeling - I was excited because of Darwin (his / her name - let's hope it's a 'he' LOL) but really depressed at the condition of so many other animals I saw. One stand in particular was selling hatchlings which they housed in 30cm x 20cm x 10cm Perspex boxes - 3 hatchlings per box. Those little guys were missing toes and their tails were broken or gone completely, and in severe cases I could see entire feet that had been chopped off trying to keep them in their 'enclosure' and some that had had their eyes poked out. I let rip at the people running the stand, but I don't think they cared.

Currently Darwin's in a 150cm x 75cm x 75cm habitat (will post pics soon) which should suffice for the next 4 or 5 months, and then I'm looking forward to building him a top class home from there. Maybe not with waterfalls, but still good :P

[Iggy]

waterfalls not a prerequisite we have the advantage of having just built our own reptile park so space was not an issue and we had the pleasure of designing "from the ground up" - Malkovich's (AKA Beanie) previous enclosure was also outdoor (we live in the lowveld) and around 3m x 1.5 x 3 m high - plants yes, though he trashed them a lot more in there than he does now, rock sculpture etc no, and he was always happy and thriving in there - though he certainly makes the use of his new space, moving around to different spots as the sun moves etc, be it to take advantage of either sun or shade. I am sure with your dedication to his/her needs, Darwin will also have a home to treasure

[Buck Rogers]

I have been to expos before and left with mixed feelings, on one hand its good to expose people to the reptile 'pet industry' but on the other hand for some people this is just another source of income and they treat their reptiles for sale as nothing more than a product.

I may be crucified for saying this, but I think that Iguanas were the WORST reptile introduced into the pet trade. They are to readily available at a cheap price (R700 aand less) And extremely adorable and magnificent. They are more than a handful and are extremely costly and more than a first time keeper can handle. Which is sad cause they are abused 'unknowinhly' and often end up dead or in the classifieds!

[Snakes4Africa]

I agree with Buck Rogers. They are potentially long lived animals and get really big. Too much for most to handle. Furthermore, they are easy to breed and prolific, more than 30 per female per year is possible. Them and Burmese Pythons, and yet they will continue to be one of the mainstays of the pet trade internationally.
I feel the onus is on the buyer to research the animal thouroughly before making the purchase. As sellers it is difficult to guage where the buyer is regarding knowledge. Too often people buy these animlas at an expo where it is impossible to get all the necessary knowledge across. Impulse pet purchases are the worst, as are pets as a gift.

[Nasicornis]

Iguanas are beautiful, stunning display animals and can make excellent captives. However, I personally would not recommend them to anyone. If someone comes to me and enquires about them I would first ask a random of questions to determine the level of knowledge these budding keeps posses. If after the cons have been described in explicit detail they still remain unfazed, I would recommend these people keep them.

They are not pets and should never be treated as such. They grow extemley big and can be extremley vicious when the moods take them. If you can provide a BIG ENOUGH enclosure with the right exposure to sunlught (ideally) and provide enough of the correct food and only have them as display animals, then go for it. Iguanas and children do not mix, male iguanas and menustrating women defenitley do not mix. Iguanas and small cramped up enclusres do not mix, Iguanas and poor diet (because you cannot aoofrd the right type and amounts of food) do not mix, male iguanas in breeding season and any other living animal expect for a receptive female do not mix.

Consider these facts before getting any.

[nurtle]

@Buck Rogers and Snakes4Africa spot on - they are relatively cheap and easy to breed, supremely hard to look after (properly).

@Nasicornis I couldn't agree more. I hear you on all of those points and the only way to minimise (not irradicate - that's impossible) those risks is to:

1. Dedicate a room in your house to your iggy (an iggy with space is a happy iggy)
2. Find a good herp vet and send iggy (and faeces) for regular check-ups (a healthy iggy is a happy iggy)
3. Feed it properly. So-called 'iguana' salad at reptile shops is NOT suitable. Darwin eats a diet of organic, specialised veggies, leafy greens and a small amount of (suitable) fruit. His food takes more time to prepare than ours!
4. Handle him regularly - as the 'primary' owner you need to dedicate a half hour at least to your 'pet' a day - handling him, sunning him or bathing him. Sometimes all three. Taming your iggy doesn't mean he'll love everyone. Like you say, kids and preggy (or menstruating) human moms are like time bombs - it's bizarre!

[Nasicornis]

Yes the menustrating women might not be moody (unlikley) but the scent given off can trigger mating behavior which may lead to the male iguana attacking her for "no appatent" reason.

[Budda]

Hi Nurtle

Congrats on the new member to your family. i am sure you will have many happy years with him. i have kept snakes in the past when i was much younger and recently managed to get an igg. when i first got him i didn't know anything about these animals and with a lot of reading and asking questions here, i know what is needed for Monty to keep him happy and healthy. I come from the east rand(Boksburg) area. and there is a petshop that i buy my iguana salad from. all the ingredients in there is what is recommended on this site and a couple of others. obviously you need to add your froots and veggies and also vary their diet as they do get bored with the same thing everyday. Also plenty of space and attention i feel if i don't spend atleast an hour a day with mine i am neglecting him as he didn't ask to be locked up in a tank the whole day.

[Bushviper]

Dont ever build anything in his cage so that he can sit on it and look down at you. That way he will try to dominate you and that is also a recipe for disaster. You have to stand above him. Trees that are lower than you shoulders will still work as basking spots .... just put the lights lower.

[Buck Rogers]

That is interesting BV, thats the most important thing you get taught when training dogs, amazing to see how that is shared by all animals, even reptiles which people consider to be 'less than intelligent' animals...

[nurtle]

@Buddha - I'm also from the Far East - which shop are you talking about??

@Bushviper yeah picked that up in my reading - also if taming not going so well you actually need to exert dominant behaviour. Not sure how adept my reptile behaviour is, yet :P

[Budda]

I am not sure if i am allowed to do this but the shop is called reptiles @ koi gallery. they have always been more then willing to help me and don't just try sell me anything that will make them a quick buck. they are based on rietfontein rd next to the old army prison. What i also like about them is they have taken in a couple of injured and mistreated iguanas from people who didn't know what they were getting them selves into when they first bought these animals.

[nurtle]

Ok I do know them then - yeah they're pretty awesome.