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Post by cougar on Aug 19, 2004 12:27:42 GMT -8
I have 2 water turtles who come in for winter instead of hibernating. I have just agreed to adopt and adult iguana and want to know if I can have them both in same room. The room is 10x12 and would be one large cage to accomadate both reptiles as heating requirements are the same.
Any help would be great.
Thanks, Carol
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Post by IguanaKing on Aug 19, 2004 13:39:11 GMT -8
If its an adult iguana, its not a good idea to put them together. Granted, the turtles have a shell to protect them, but a territorial adult iguana can be very dangerous, even deadly, to other smaller reptiles.
Also, I'm not sure what specific species of turtle you have, but in many cases the temps required for iguanas are much too high for water turtles.
Sean
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Post by cougar on Aug 19, 2004 15:58:17 GMT -8
Thanks Sean, the turtles need 72 to 85 degrees so I thought that since they are on the floor in the pond it will be warmer above where iguana will stay mostly in the branches, as the light is from above.
"Freddy" is 1 1/2 years old and 48" long. Head to tail. However I do not want the turtles getting hurt if Freddy becomes territorial so I guess I'l lhave to do some planning with my layout for the room. I have about a month before the turtles move back in so I have some time to get to know him and see how he settles in. The room is 10x12 so can divide it for them. I wanted to have the pond available for the ig as well to enjoy but perhaps it will be the bathtub instead. Thanks for your help, real new at this since we just got him home today.
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Post by Merlin on Aug 19, 2004 16:50:23 GMT -8
Good for you for adopting. However as intiguing as the idea is i see a few problems. First of the iguana is a total vegetarian while turtles are omnivores. If the ig eats the turtle diet it may damage his kidneys. Animal protein for iguanas is a big no no! The iguana is most likely going to use the pond for its toilet thus requiring a daily emptying and cleaning. If the turtles and ig are in the pool at the same time the turts might sample a bite of ig tail. And finally you risk cross contamination of disease and parasites. In other words introducing both ig and turts to pathogens and parasites that they have never as a species have encountered before and wil have no immunities to.
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Post by cougar on Aug 20, 2004 7:58:01 GMT -8
Thanks Merlin, yes I considered the food but the turtles eat at the bottom of the pond and clean it up rather quickly so felt it was unlikely ig would get any. The only floaters are the greens. I do change the water daily for the turtles as it is needed for them. But with considering all, I have decided turtles pool will be moved to livingroom with their own heat lamp while ig can stay in his own room by himself. Primary importance to me is that my animals feel safe and secure in their home which may not be the case if they are together.
Glad I found out the problems prior to doing and can now plan the room just for ig.
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