wild baby won't eat!

[btorgy]

Hey all! New to this forum, but not new to reptiles. I was given a rescue juvie green iguana about a month ago. Actually I was given two to watch for someone, but they took back the healthy one and let me keep this one! ::)I've done a ton of research, and have her set up in a 55 gallon tank for now. She is served a lovely salad with vegies and fruit as described by MK. Occasionally she will eat, maybe once a week, but just doesn't have a strong appetite like she should have. She has been wormed, and I was tube feeding her at first, she was that thin. But she is still as wild as can be, and just won't settle down and eat! I have 3 sides of the cage covered and lots of greenery for her to feel safe.
Any hope she will come around?
Beth

[bgingras]

do you have a uv light? how about heat? how warm is it on the basking area? cold area?

[rocmills]

When we were recently "given" a young 'un, it was about a month before the little bit would eat on its own, and then it was just the tiniest bits. When we moved it to a larger cage, it stopped eating again and now, two weeks later, is just starting to peck at her food. Keep enticing it with fruits and offer lots of collard - that's a good staple green.

Temperatures and other environmental factors could also contribute to not eating.

--Roc

[IguanaKing]

Yup. As long as you have proper UVB light and proper heat, she should start eating. I was just sure that Hercules was going to starve himself to death in the first month he was with me. He eventually came around...he's now 68" STL and 16 lbs.

She just has to go through an adjustment period. Although it seems counterintuitive, you should try being with her as much as possible. Its a big, scary world for her, and if she can find a friend she trusts...she'll adapt more quickly. This wouldn't necessarily be true in the wild, but if she's going to be around people...she'll learn to trust those who respect her limitations. Limitations? Just remember to always be slow and gentle...and speak to her softly. If she fights, just gently hold her (away from your face of course) and give her a few moments to calm down...then continue what you were doing with her. I'm sure you know about the last parts of my post though, reptiles respond well to slow and gentle. ;D

[btorgy]

Thanks all! Yes she has the right UVB and basking site temps. I've been taking her to the tub to swim in warm water, and try to work off some stuck sheds on her toes and tail.And I do believe she is calming down! I can hold her gently and talk to her, once I have hold of her she calms down. It's the catching she really doesn't like. I'd like to build her a front opening cage, that might help.
I'll keep you posted! I took pics, but they're still in the camera!
Beth

[prism_wolf]

If there is a favorite fruit she seems to favor? Grapes or watermelon? If so...you can squeeze grape juice from the grapes over the salad. With the watermelon...they're still selling them in the stores...but they're kind of expensive. To save on the cost without it going bad, you can put pieces of it in the freezer. About the size of icecubes. When it's time to feed, take one out and run it through a cheese grater over the salad. Adds good flavor and hydration at the same time. Maybe this will help entice your girl.

[burns]

I have a similar problem with my IG...info's here are very helpful...thanks peeps...