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Post by flatout on May 28, 2006 20:52:45 GMT -8
since we live where it's fairly warm (75 ish in the am and in the 90's in the afternoons)we have been putting lucy outside in a large cage for about 5 hours or so. half the top is covered and the other half is mesh. my question is, is it ok to do this everyday, she seems to eat better, when she is inside we hand feed her and outside she eats on her own and she is shedding more and more after being out, we also have been misting her every now and then, i just don't want to hurt her in anyway.
thanks in advance,
M&D
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Post by flatout on May 28, 2006 21:17:34 GMT -8
here's a pic of the cage  the towel is for taking her out, since the pic she now has a large tub with water in it about 3 1/2 in. deep |
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Post by IguanaKing on May 28, 2006 23:26:02 GMT -8
As long as her outdoor cage is fully ventilated from the sides, and she has a shady area to retreat to, she'll get along great. Igs are tuned to the sun, and they often will regulate their IR and UV exposure at the same time. Just keep an eye on her...if she starts gaping for no apparent reason, she's too hot and needs shade immediately. Otherwise, I think you're doing a great job with her.
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Post by prism_wolf on May 30, 2006 7:23:15 GMT -8
I would seriously consider changing the bottom portion plexi to the same wire you have for the top portion. All it takes is 15 minutes for the ig to not move from in front of the plexi and you not notice for there to be serious, permanent damage from the heat magnified there. Keep a thermometer in there just as you would indoors. In fact...many places sell remote thermometers. These are wonderful for monitoring temps without having to go outdoors to do it. Set the receiving part where you can read it easily and the temperature gauge out in the enclosure.
Otherwise...all day long is an excellent way to spend good weather days...:-)
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Post by crazybaby on May 30, 2006 9:30:21 GMT -8
She must be one happy girl...Sun is so good for them, I just wish I could get my guy the same time out as you have for Lucy.
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Post by flatout on May 30, 2006 9:53:54 GMT -8
there's no plastic on either of her cages they're both wood and mesh wire, the mesh on the door is smaller than the rest
M&D
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Post by MAR on May 30, 2006 19:01:35 GMT -8
I would do two things there (1) add a large tub of water and you have noted that you did that (2) add a bunch more climbing things.
Make sure the areas of sun and shade are each large enough for the whole iguana to fit in and turn around in.
As for time outside. The only thing I have really seen is what would be the minimum outside time to receive enough UV and even those numbers vary a lot. Remember this iguanas come from the tropics where they live outside in areas with both sun and shade as well as cool water to swim in.
As for the mouth agape due to heat. I have to question this theory after watching my ig in the lawn for years. My ig will sit in the middle of the lawn knowing full well he can move around and into shade when he likes yet he will continue to sit there with his mouth open. If I were to move him chances are good he would return to that basking place. Now if you were to contain the ig in a small cage (6x9 footprint or less) this is different but if you provide a cooler area let the iguana move to it on his own.
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Post by prism_wolf on May 30, 2006 19:02:34 GMT -8
Sorry...it looked clear to me...;-P
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Post by IguanaKing on May 30, 2006 19:44:53 GMT -8
As for the mouth agape due to heat. I have to question this theory after watching my ig in the lawn for years. My ig will sit in the middle of the lawn knowing full well he can move around and into shade when he likes yet he will continue to sit there with his mouth open. If I were to move him chances are good he would return to that basking place. Now if you were to contain the ig in a small cage (6x9 footprint or less) this is different but if you provide a cooler area let the iguana move to it on his own. True...but we also need to consider how accustomed to the situation the iguana is and whether or not he may be too stressed by something in the area that keeps him from moving to a cool zone. When the iguana is in an enclosure the size of the one in this thread, its important that she be supervised until things are figured out as far as her likes and dislikes, because every ig is different in how they react to our alien world. You know Bob quite well, and you know when he's stressed or isn't stressed...but there's no guarantee that another ig, placed in an unfamiliar situation will sit when overheated just because they feel like it...they may, possibly, be afraid to move from that spot.  |
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Post by flatout on May 31, 2006 12:01:34 GMT -8
i have plans to add sum branches or logs of some sort, but i'm on graveyards right now and it's pouring down rain so my plans are on hold till this weekend ;D
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