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Jul 19, 2004 13:58:07 GMT -8
Post by AnneVeng on Jul 19, 2004 13:58:07 GMT -8
I just felt like introducing my self! I dont actually own a iguana yet, but im planing to.. And thats why i will be lurking around here I was wondering.... How are you guys feelings about Iguanas not living in cages? I use to have a friend who had one and it shared his living space and that did not course any problems... But im just curious... How do you feel about that? I hope you will not mind me snooping around! *Anne*
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Jul 19, 2004 15:29:40 GMT -8
Post by dominick on Jul 19, 2004 15:29:40 GMT -8
Hi Anne- Welcome to Iguana Zone. Good on you for researching FIRST! My 6 yo male has free-roamed since he was 2 years old. As long as you follow all protocol in terms of setting up a basking area, pooping area and sleeping area; as well as making the home "iguana-proof" it works like a charm. Please feel free to ask any questions you have. We're glad to help. When you feel the time is right, I would also suggest you adopt one of the abandoned Igs located in shelters around the country. We'd be more than happy to help you locate just the right Ig. There ar emany advantages to adopting over purchasing an Ig. Happy posting!
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Jul 19, 2004 18:00:37 GMT -8
Post by Tesa on Jul 19, 2004 18:00:37 GMT -8
Welcome Lurker ;D I'd love to have my igs free roaming, but I have too many kids and critters running around my house for the iguanas to be safe. I suppose if you happened to have an aggressive ig, it could pose a problem. Also, my vet just gave me a big lecture on the risk of salmonella. I'm glad you joined us. Feel free to lurk/post as much as you like. (and please do consider adoption)
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Jul 19, 2004 23:52:40 GMT -8
Post by AnneVeng on Jul 19, 2004 23:52:40 GMT -8
Unfortunately im from Denmark and here there is ( as far as i know) only one rescuecenter for Igs... So that will not be an option... That would have been my favorite choice, though.
Tesa, you mentioned children and other animals... My son is 7 and im not concerned about him BUT we do have other animals... mutiple turtles but they are caged..... I do have a large fishtank with an open top, i need to take care of... We have a gecko... Need to fix some mesh for the top of that tank:... My biggest concern is that we have two lovebirds ( that I actually adopted).. Thay are in a big cage in my livingroom... where I was planing on creating my Iguane-space... .... Will the iguana be interested in the birds... Probably were much, I suspect... How do I deal with that?
*Anne*
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Jul 20, 2004 3:06:34 GMT -8
Post by Merlin on Jul 20, 2004 3:06:34 GMT -8
Hi Anne and welcome. My feeling about free roaming is its fine for larger igs. Little iglets are too easily lost or stepped on. As far as the birds I have a cockatiel and a parakeet and the only interest my Zok has in them is to use their cages to lay on or as a climbing aid to get some where else! The parakeet has even tried to get down and sample some of the igs food while she was eating and the ig paid no attention to him.
One thing to watch though is to make sure any heating devices on the other cages are secured so the ig can't can't knock them off and start a fire or get aganist them and get burned. With a free roaming ig you need to baby proof the room.
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Jul 20, 2004 4:21:17 GMT -8
Post by Tesa on Jul 20, 2004 4:21:17 GMT -8
In the wild, Iguanas are prey to birds, so I can't imagine the birds being at risk of injury.
I wouldn't plan on allowing the ig to roam free until several months have passed and you have learned his body language/behavioral patterns. He will also need to learn about you. Otherwise you'll just be chasing a scared iguana who has the whole house to hide in. ;D
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Jul 20, 2004 5:08:34 GMT -8
Post by Lyn on Jul 20, 2004 5:08:34 GMT -8
Hi Anne and Welcome...Glad you could join us...to add to the great advice you are receiving, you mentioned an open tank (fish I assume) and an adult free roaming ig may just use that as a pooping place...or a swimming pool or both...so maybe a cover of sorts would be in order...good luck ...great that you are researching so well before buying or adopting...Lyn
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Jul 20, 2004 5:24:30 GMT -8
Post by AnneVeng on Jul 20, 2004 5:24:30 GMT -8
My birds are never "flying free" anymore... We tryed that at one point but it was not a sucess as they are NOT people-friendly ;D... So I was more concerned about the birdcage.
The fish-tank is acctually a turtle-tank and the reason its "open" is to sirculate the heat but im planning to cover the gaps in the top with some mesh.
Im a bit concerned about the fact that you think i should keep it in a cage for a while first... I know it sounds selfish but I just dont have space for any more caged... I would have no problem making a "Iguana-space" with lighting, heat and so on, but creating an entire cage, only for a few month would be kinda difficult, due to the lack of space....
Would it be irresponsible of me having it free-roaming when its small and new to the family?
Im so happy that you guys are willing to help me with all my ?. corz im not a big fan of getting animals without doing research first.
*Anne*
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Jul 20, 2004 10:15:39 GMT -8
Post by Lyn on Jul 20, 2004 10:15:39 GMT -8
Its just that they can get into any tiny space and will stay in there hiding...they also are not people friendly at first and will flee in fear...any small hole will be an outlet to safety forthem...Irresponsible no, but dangerous for the ig yes...better to be caged than dead....good luck..Lyn
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Jul 20, 2004 11:41:24 GMT -8
Post by AnneVeng on Jul 20, 2004 11:41:24 GMT -8
Thax guys. I do take this advice very serious, and I will definatly try to work out a cage-solution so that im not coursing any danger to my future Ig. Im going to a big reptile show(called Terraristika) in Germany in about 2 month and im planning to bring home my Ig from there IF I find that my home is ig-proof, so I will have until then to figure out a proper solution to the issues. I will probably end up bying a fairly young ig and I will definatly have a home prepared up front, BUT if im counting on only keeping it in a cage for a few month, how large would I have to build the cage? I wish I could say as big as possible, but some guidelines would be great One last thing: Its not possible to determind the sex of the ig when its small, right? I have read that MANY time but I just wanted to make sure. I dont know if I know if I would prefere a male or a female! Maybe a male, due to the fact that im a little scared about the egglaying :)I know thats silly but I have heard about so many complications concerning egglaying! Never mind, I will be thrilled whatever its turnes out to be.... As long as its healthy! I will keep you posted on how it all works out! You have all been very helpfull. Thanx alot *Anne*
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Jul 20, 2004 14:10:16 GMT -8
Post by Merlin on Jul 20, 2004 14:10:16 GMT -8
It is impossible to sex them when they are small. There are issues with both sexes. Females can have problems with egglaying, while males can become dangerously aggressive during breeding season and may have to be caged for your safety. Like it or not there is probably going to be a cage requirement at sometime either way you go. You'd be amazed at the trouble iguanas can get into.
And if you are going to have to build a cage I would suggest going with an adult size in mind, they do grow quickly! 6ft high, 6ft wide and 4ft deep is a good size. I know its big but you are going to be dealing with a very large lizard!
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Jul 21, 2004 7:04:07 GMT -8
Post by Kerrydaktyl on Jul 21, 2004 7:04:07 GMT -8
Hi! Sounds like youve got quite a zoo! My ig has always been a bit scared of birds, I think large birds in the wild are a threat to small iglets, but I know people who have all sorts of animals as well as igs and they generally get used to them. It would be best to wait until its bigger, as Ive heard of them lodging themselves in warm places like the back of fridges and cookers, then theyre found dead A new ig will be skittish for a while until it gets used to its new place and people, and other animals! so hiding will be the first thing it does! I think it would be ok to have a small viv, but let it out regularly and have an out-of-viv set up too. Ive spoken to people who have completely free roaming igs, but I wouldnt want that myself, as much as I love him, hes a bit too small yet and would always be up to mischeif, he needs to go in his viv from time to time to give me some peace if nothing else! He comes out alot though, but always goes back at night and spends most of the morning basking and lazing around with his doors open. So I think the general feeling is that its ok for bigger igs, but you might want to consider if YOU might prefere to have some where he/she can go to be out of your way for a bit, like when your out or busy doing house work etc! I think thats whats great about reptiles as oppose to dogs, I occasionally like to be animal free for a while, but its still nice to watch him potter about his viv happily ;D Also I have a blood python who might not like my ig peering in at her all the time lol! We always put the ig away when getting the snake out. Let us know what you decide! Kerry.
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Jul 21, 2004 12:49:53 GMT -8
Post by AnneVeng on Jul 21, 2004 12:49:53 GMT -8
After talking to you guys im convinced that compleat-all the time- freeroaming not is an option... For the time beeing... And that im not concidering anymore..
I have a friend who is a bit of a handyman and I will talk to him about building a wood/mesh cage for me... I do have the space....... well, im able to convert a LARGE part of my living room with a little help..... Im NOT handy... trust me ;D.... So I will talk to him and hopefully he will help me build a cage... Im not gonna build a small cage.... After all, theres no point to that.... unless I want to change it in less than a year.... So this is the solution, as I see it....
I hope this all works out.....Im keeping my fingers crossed
*Anne*
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Jul 21, 2004 17:45:07 GMT -8
Post by Tesa on Jul 21, 2004 17:45:07 GMT -8
AHA! A handyman ;D I'm sure you'll find a solution and very soon we are gonna be hearing all about your new baby. Keep reading all you can about thier diet and housing requirements. There's a book called "Iguanas for Dummies" by Melissa Kaplan that I think you'd enjoy reading. It's great for basic information and tips for care and taming. Good Luck with the handyman! Let us know how it turns out.
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