The buddyholly home has a new critter.

[Tsiyu]

An iguana.

Named "Fatty."

He is very horny ( according to his coloring, we're told) and very pissed right now. My son took him off the hands of a friend who had a two-year old daughter, and was afraid of the combination in one household.

Anybody raise Iquanas? Know the best way to tame them, feed them, dress them in cute little outfits? Okay, only kidding about the last part.

[Bertha Venation]

1. congratulations

I know nothing about iguanas. My 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Durkee, had one in her classroom. I used to take it lettuce. :shrug:

[Tsiyu]

2. Thanks!

It's always fun to get a new animal, even though we can't really afford any other mouths to feed. The couple who gave him to my son are a great pair and did not want the animal to fall into cruelty or neglect.

But lettuce isn't too tough. We can grow that!

[madrchsod]

6. don`t feed them iceberg lettuce no nutriments

a mature ig will eat just about anything but it`s best to stick with a regulated diet.

[Tsiyu]

7. Thanks. That's what our friend said.

I try to get the organic spring stuff and I'll grow baby lettuce for it.

But are they strict vegetabletarians? ( my own goofy word, sorry)

[molly]

3. My cousin had one years ago - it was friendly

but they need a lot of care. Please do right by this little creature and call your vet or pet store for some support. I know that he had to keep the cage exceptionally clean.

[Tsiyu]

8. Thanks, I'm going to do an internet search and

call "experts" as you suggest.

I helped raise snakes years ago and I'm told the requirements are similar.

[madrchsod]

4. good luck...

had a iguana for two years before he escaped one spring day then froze to death the next day. we found him or his skin a year later under the neighbors porch. if he is an older male you pretty much know what his "personality" is going to be. they require heat rock a safe and large cage. they have certain foods to avoid and most of all they shit all over so you got to keep the cage clean and your hands washed after handling them. google for info on them cause they are popular. you don`t tame them unless they are very young and that isn`t always certain. and don`t dress them up! if you have a good one they are pretty cool. word to the wise-they grow very large and they live along time if they have the climate and room. good luck!

[Tsiyu]

9. Wow. Sorry to hear that.

My son will take ultimate responsibility.

I WAS only kidding about the dress up. This guy seems pissed at everyone, so taming him may be a challenge, but our friend showed us how they bob their heads and open and close their mouths to communicate. My son will tame it if anyone can.

[trof]

5. Go to WalMart.

Get a case of Iguana Huggies.
You will thank me for this.
;-)

[Tsiyu]

10. They actually MAKE these?

Wow. I have much to learn. And I'll take your advice under advisement, except i'll visit the local independent pet shop to help starve the other beast.

[miss_kitty]

11. If they DO make them, Please get them from someplace other than WalMart

:)

[trof]

12. I jest.

Sorry.
:-(

[Tsiyu]

13. Awwww Man!

You got my hope sup!

Now you get two demerits and five lashings with a wet noodle.

Or with the iguana's tail.

Your choice.

[beam me up scottie]

14. My little brother had one that I inherited when it got sick.

Poor thing, it was very young and his house was drafty, there was nothing the vet could do. I cried all day over that stupid lizard and I told my bro I would personally castrate him if he bought any other exotic pets. On the other hand, my ex-boyfriend had a HUGE iguana (let the innuendos fly, all you perverts, giggle giggle tee hee)
It was extremely healthy but not very nice. If you can tame them when they are little they're quite docile. Scratching the top of their head puts them to sleep-great to remember if he gets snarky. Also know they can "drop" their tail if scared. I think they can regrow part of it.
Good luck, you are awesome to take on the responsiblity. You are doubly awesome for wanting to learn how to take care of it. This is how I got most of my oddball pets through the years-someone would threaten to flush some poor creature and I would step in. Exotic pets should not be sold, EVER. Many of them die during transport or within a year because the owners don't know how to take care of them properly. Actually, I would like to see all pet stores shut down. Nobody should ever be able to purchase another living creature on "impulse".

[Tsiyu]

15. Appreciate it, beam me

Thanks for your kind words.

The little guy came with a nice cage, heating lamps, rock, etc. he actually seems to be settling in well so far.

And file this under your "Things to remember about the Iguana/human pheremone connection:

http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/reptiles/iguana_behavior.html

As a rule most iguanas that are obtained as young juveniles and are handled correctly do not tend to become aggressive, however there are a few exceptions to this rule. One of the biggest is the tendency for adult alpha male iguanas becoming aggressive in a home where the primary human handler is a female. The reason for this aggression has been linked to a pheromone that is produced by the human female during her menstrual cycle. This pheromone is very similar to that produced by an adult female iguana during the mating season.


snip

Who knew?

[beam me up scottie]

16. Wow really, who knew? Explains a lot about my ex-boyfriend too