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Sept 2, 2006 9:46:46 GMT -8
Post by rayo725 on Sept 2, 2006 9:46:46 GMT -8
My iguanas don't seem to eat anything but carrots. They look through all the food i put in, and pick at tthe carrots, leaving everything else. I have 2 iguanas and i don't see one of them eat. It never really comes out from the hiding place i have for them. The other one eats and is always out. How do I get them to eat other things and get the other iguana to eat more?
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eating
Sept 2, 2006 10:03:33 GMT -8
Post by IguanaKing on Sept 2, 2006 10:03:33 GMT -8
First, you'll need to give your iguanas separate living areas. The ig that's hiding all the time may be getting some intimidation from the other ig, and its almost impossible to see some of the messages they send each other just with a look. Next, don't offer carrots anymore. Carrots are not all that great for iguanas in the first place. Try parsnips instead. They're better for the igs and taste and smell just like carrots. To get them to eat other things, I recommend getting a food processor and just chopping everything up together. That way, they don't have the option of only picking their favorite food items. What other food items are you offering?
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Sept 2, 2006 15:46:26 GMT -8
Post by Marie on Sept 2, 2006 15:46:26 GMT -8
The one that is hiding is not only not eating, it is not thermoregulating, and not basking in the UVB. Those three things are absolurtely critical. If it does live for any length of time, it's growth will be stunted and it will become deformed and die an early death. So please give it it's own home where he can thrive.
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Sept 3, 2006 22:47:51 GMT -8
Post by prism_wolf on Sept 3, 2006 22:47:51 GMT -8
It's own home either be providing it with it's own enclosure...or knowing it's time to find it a home with someone else. Sometimes the latter is best. This way you can concentrate on the care of just one rather than two...especially if they are sick. This means twice the vet bills. If you do decide to find another home for one, send them here and we can help them, too...if they have the Internet, of course.
Go through the basic care sheet provided on this forum and concentrate on heat, UVB and a proper diet...and proper housing. Those are the basics and will get you on track.
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Sept 4, 2006 4:31:23 GMT -8
Post by crazybaby on Sept 4, 2006 4:31:23 GMT -8
I'm with everyone on this, you've really gotta seperate the two. The one who's hiding is suffering because it's not allowed to eat and doesn't have access to the light and heat as the other one does. When you do decide what's to be done for seperating the two, just remember as Prism said, it might be best to concentrate on just one. The total enclosure space needed to house two iguana's is 14ft x 7ft x 4ft min (seperated in two that is). I understand that they're small now but within a year (depending on what you have for them now, it may be sooner) you will be requiired to upgrade to either the fullest size enclosure or continuously build and re-build enclosures for both iguanas. Another thing to be considered if you decide to keep both, is if they get stressed at the sight of eachother. This is very common because of territory, and dominance factors (not to mention breeding season behaviours). If this happens you will need to remove one from sight of the other so they will not be affected by the stress. These are the big cahuna's of problems which a lot of owners are faced with when acquiring two hatchling/juvenile iguanas. Even when acquiring one it often becomes an issue to provide space among other requirements. This all being said there are a great many other things to consider such as double the lighting (UVs for both enclosures as well as basking lights), double the food, handling and socialization for both iguanas (important), vet checks for both (not to mention urgent vet visits if they happen), and since they are iguanas you will eventually have to deal with aggression x2. It's a big deal to be owned by an iguana, just consider all the things that are required by one for care and then multiply by two ;D. Anywho, just thought these should be considered hope it helps in putting things into perspective a bit. Hope the lil iggy eats soon he must be pretty hungy. Hope to hear good news about them.
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Sept 5, 2006 18:19:26 GMT -8
Post by rayo725 on Sept 5, 2006 18:19:26 GMT -8
I got some good news guys. The hiding iggy is no longer hiding. Its been out alot more these past few days. Its basking at this moment, lieing next ot the other one. I have 2 plates of iguana food, i put it in the cage in the morning, and when i come bak its all gone. I know 1 juvenile iggy cant eat all of that. They are currently shedding and I'm keeping the humidity at a constant 85-90% to help them. So yeah...the iggy that was hiding is out so mush more than it was when i first got it. Yeah, I'm feeding them iguana food now and they seem to love it.
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Sept 5, 2006 18:36:27 GMT -8
Post by IguanaKing on Sept 5, 2006 18:36:27 GMT -8
What do you mean by "iguana food"? Could you please list the items you are feeding your iggies so we can help you with the diet. If you are talking about commercial iguana food, please stop feeding them that. Commercial iguana food has virtually no nutritional value, and in many cases can actually be toxic to your iguana I'm glad to read that things have turned around, but its still going to be necessary that you give them separate living quarters in the very near future. As they grow they will become more territorial and they WILL fight, there is no question of if, its a question of when. At only 2 years old, one iguana can inflict a single, fatal bite on the other in the blink of an eye.
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