puff
Junior Member
you remain responsible for that which you have tamed!!
Posts: 5
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Post by puff on Jul 1, 2004 20:57:23 GMT -8
hi it's me, Cathy, Puff's Mom. First of all you all are scaring me!!  . I keep reading about igggys playing Jekel & Hyde. I can't bear the thought of this wounderful loving baby going postal on me.  Anyways is there such a thing as too much bathtime for Iggys? Over the last week puff has taught me when she climbs into her water bowl she wants a bath!  . OK so on with the "lizard" outfit and into the tub she goes. She lets me splash her, she walks around a little bit, then she finds a corrner streches out and goes to sleep. She seems content, it does not bother her when i run warm water, too keep the tub water warm. I put her on her ladder faceing up and she just goes back into the water. HOW LONG IS TOO LONG FOR PUFF TO STAY IN THE TUB??  |
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Post by Kerrydaktyl on Jul 2, 2004 6:13:19 GMT -8
Hmmm, no such thing from an igs point of view! Mine used to sleep in his water bowl at night last summer, he hasnt done it again this year, as summer seems to have been cancelled over here in the UK  I give mine a bath pretty much everyday, but he goes in when I say, and comes out when hes messed it up lol! Sometimes he climbs back in when its empty and looks confused so I run him another one, coz he looks so cute! I wouldnt have thought it would do them any harm though, as long as you keep it warm enough. |
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Post by Merlin on Jul 2, 2004 13:45:21 GMT -8
As long as the water is both clean and warm I doubt you could over do it unless you try to turn them into an aquatic!
Just a thought on that remark. No matter how we talk about our Igs being tame and socialized you must always remember that you are dealing with a wild animal and a reptile at that. This is not a puppy or kitten.
NEVER TRUST THEM COMPLETELY!
No matter what we do with them or how they were raised they are a wild animal with all the instincts that have served to keep them alive in the wild. You never know when some little thing will trigger an aggressive or defensive reaction. It may never happen. However it is in your best interest to learn to observe their body language and know when some thing indicates that something is just not normal with their behavior. You don't have to be afraid of them but you do have to be aware. An iguana can do serious damage if it so chooses.
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Jay
Full Member
Learn something new everyday.
Posts: 30
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Post by Jay on Jul 2, 2004 13:58:00 GMT -8
I agree with you on that Merlin, No matter how much I handle one of my snakes I never take it for granted that they are a cuddly lil pet. Always pay attention to the herps mannerisms and you'll know wether it wants to be held or not. I've been doing this for years and (knock wood) have never been bitten. (I probably shouldn't have said that) ;D
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Post by Tesa on Jul 3, 2004 4:04:24 GMT -8
Hi Cathy  First let me say that I whole-heartedly agree with Merlin and Jay. They don't typically just "go postal" without warning. Psychotic episodes are mainly a breeding season issue, their PMS just lasts longer than ours does. ;D As for bathing: As long as you have the time to watch her and keep her water warm etc, a good long soak in the tub is great for her. I suppose if Puff decided to LIVE there it would create a problem. I'd hate to see you trying to set up UVB etc over the bathtub! ;D I generally let Thrasher stay in for an hour or so. |
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Post by IguanaKing on Jul 3, 2004 15:49:16 GMT -8
Yup, as long as the water is clean and warm, there shouldn't be any problems. Just make sure you don't make the water too warm, anything much warmer than neutral-to-the-touch water is too warm. Then, of course, bath time is going to depend on the individual ig. Hercules loves water and would be perfectly happy to stay in the bath all day. Audrey, on the other hand, hates water, and I can always count on a battle with getting her into the tub. As far as trusting a wild animal, Merlin has it right, the most important thing you can do is to learn their body language. I, unfortunately, have learned iguana behavior the hard way (as I'm sure many of us have) and have had about 3 emergency room visits so far. As Merlin said, they can do a lot of damage if they want to, and I have the scars to prove it.  |
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Post by mar on Jul 4, 2004 13:12:59 GMT -8
I don't know anything about the water as Bob bolts from any bath or pool within 45 seconds but Tesa, Merlin, and Jay have it dead on. We are talking about wild animals here. Usually fighting is a last resort after a lot of telltale signs before going postal. BUT... Be vary careful after they seem to have calmed down.
Bob was posturing and opening his mouth at me one day then I scooped him up and soon thought I had him calmed down again. After acting normal for an few minutes I let my guard down until I noticed Bob move, a searing pain in my finger, and blood dripping from my hand. It is a generally good idea to keep your hands and such behind or well in front of those chompers.
Take Tesa's avatar for example. Doing that with any animal is not the brightest move.
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Post by Tesa on Jul 4, 2004 14:45:12 GMT -8
I resemble that remark. ;D but....ANY animal? Cmon, they aren't ALL psychotic. AND! At least Thrasher would only be able to take off my nose. Look at YOUR avatar! Bob could eat your whole HEAD! ;D Seriously: I totally agree, and I don't let anyone else get that close to her teeth. However, bear in mind that the whole body language thing plays a very important part in our relationship. When that photo was taken, she was very calm and had been for quite awhile. If there had been ANY indication she was even the slightest bit pissy I would never had had my own face that close either. |
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Post by IguanaKing on Jul 4, 2004 16:07:15 GMT -8
Yup, body language is what we all learn to read in our igs. Another thing I have noticed to indicate a stressed/pissy ig is that their pupils become a pinpoint. Everything else about their body/behavior may look ok, but if the pupils are pinpoints...stay away, because its a definite sign of a stressed and confused iguana. I put my face near my igs all the time now because I have finally learned how to read their emotional state, but, just like Tesa, I would never let anyone else do that. There's just too much communication going on that the uninitiated don't pick up on. I almost trust my igs completely, but I still keep my hands and other parts away from their mouths when I know they're stressed about something. I know them both so well now, I can almost feel when they're upset. Heh...I know it sounds like BS, but its true. ;D |
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puff
Junior Member
you remain responsible for that which you have tamed!!
Posts: 5
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Post by puff on Jul 5, 2004 20:41:41 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice!! Puff is doing very good. She gets out of her cage at least for 2 hours a day, wish it could be more but I took on a 2nd part time job recently. Plans for a new Iggy cage got out of hand, now I need a little cash. But my baby deserves the best!!!!!!! She eats most of her salad in the morning then has a little bit in the evening. As for the "wild" animal part I understand fully well the damage any animal can cause when frighten or stressed. I learn very quickly to learn body language, and pay special attention to MOODS!! I was worried at first that I would not be able to understand what puff wanted, however she makes herself perfactly clear, and I have done alot of research. This site has helped quite a bit. At first I thought when she closed her eyes when I was petting her it was like a shy away thing. I've sinced learned it means she comfortable. When I scratch/pet her and I touch her in a place she don't wanna be touched she moves away. Experience has also taught me to make sure my "kids" know who is boss. She can move away but I continue to pet her just in a different spot. When she is out of her cage I am with her every moment, and when she is in the bath I sit on the edge of the tub with my feet in the water, no exception! Speaking of petting her my new question is: Is there a spot or places I shouldn't touch? Might sound silly but when I got my 1st cockatoo she loved to be petted all over, but she would get real short of breath at times. It worried me so much I took her to the vet and was told there are areas on birds that shouldn't be touched, unless you were the bird's spouse! I don't want to put puff through that stress. Thanks again for all the help. I,m sure we'll be "talking" again. Cathy & Puff |
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Post by Tesa on Jul 6, 2004 7:00:31 GMT -8
See. Just listen to your instincts. The two of you are gonna be fine. |
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Post by Merlin on Jul 6, 2004 10:22:59 GMT -8
One thing, when they close their eyes it isn't that they are comfortable it is making you go away. Sort of like the old ostrich with its head in the sand bit. If it can't see you then you aren't there. It's an iguans way of de-stressing.
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Post by Tesa on Jul 6, 2004 17:57:00 GMT -8
Merlin? Don't ya think it can be both?
Thrasher LOVES for me to pet under her chin. She closes her eyes and raises her head waaaaaay up high and I can almost hear her say "aaaaaaahhhhhhhh" ;D
but.....I have also seen her do the "I'm closing my eyes so you'll go away" thing, especially to strangers.
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Post by Merlin on Jul 7, 2004 3:34:59 GMT -8
Tesa It can be both ways but its one of those things that can only be determined by someone experienced with ig body language. Some of them do actually seem to enjoy being touched while others just tolerate it. When dealing with novice owners I prefer to err on the side of caution.
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Post by Tesa on Jul 7, 2004 4:54:56 GMT -8
Gotcha |
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. I keep reading about igggys playing Jekel & Hyde. I can't bear the thought of this wounderful loving baby going postal on me. 
. OK so on with the "lizard" outfit and into the tub she goes. She lets me splash her, she walks around a little bit, then she finds a corrner streches out and goes to sleep. She seems content, it does not bother her when i run warm water, too keep the tub water warm. I put her on her ladder faceing up and she just goes back into the water. HOW LONG IS TOO LONG FOR PUFF TO STAY IN THE TUB?? 
