Post by hardnipples on Aug 10, 2009 10:13:25 GMT -8
Well now isnt this a chipper little place to gather information 
About 5 months ago i obtained what i understand to be a juvenile Mexican Spiny tail Iguana, Guillermo is his name. Anywho, the one thing i have noticed is that it can be tricky to gather information on them, as there are many species, and a lot of conflicting information. I hope there are a few people out there who can clear things up for me, as i have a few questions about his care.
Food: this is an important one, no doubt. Anywho, i know they like greens (collared, mustard..etc..) but im not sure he actually eats the stuff, he makes a mess out of his tank with it, thats for sure. Now i know this is probably unhealthy, but it seems his favorite stuff to eat on a daily basis is moist green iguana diet, Nature Zone brand. im just curious as to if this is lacking in nutrients for him, and if there is some way i can get him to eat the greens for sure? I also feed him a cricket or 2 about every 3 days, as i have read they are omnivorous, unlike their green counterparts. If this is a myth, PLEASE set me straight, as once he gets big enough, i'll be tossing him a pinky mouse about twice a month
Substrate: I am using Zoo-Med vita-sand which is clacium fortified, and recommended for desert dwelling reptiles. but i see that sand can cause a fatal blockage in green iguanas, should i be sprinting down to the pet store and be finding a more suitable substrate, and put the mook who sold it to me in an arm-bar?
Water: is tap water ok for these guys, or is the chemicals, and metals in there going to harm him? should i be buying water conditioner as well as Vitamin D3 suppliment?
Behavior: It is taking a very long time for him to build trust, i have lived with him for 5 months, and he still gets very skittish when i attempt to pick him up, and these are fast little buggers. i wanted to give him a bit more time to grow before i handle him daily, as i hafta keep a tight hold on him, or he is able to sprint away, and apparently they are the worlds fastest reptile...and i have cats that'll prolly eat him.
Bathing: as he can be very hard to hold, and i wouldnt dream of letting him go, (i'd probably never find him again) i have yet to bathe him. he has a shallow dish of water that i see him sit in every now and then, but i doubt its for bathing purposes. Should i be bathing him, or just let him be?
Size: he hasnt appeared to have grown that much, if at all...this might be my eyes playing tricks on me, but either way, i'd rather know for sure that its not a nutrition issue. his tank is roughly 3'w x 2't x 1.5 length, so i doubt thats the issue
I'll attempt to post some pictures of guillermo shortly, and i hope there is someone out there who can give me some solid advice.
About 5 months ago i obtained what i understand to be a juvenile Mexican Spiny tail Iguana, Guillermo is his name. Anywho, the one thing i have noticed is that it can be tricky to gather information on them, as there are many species, and a lot of conflicting information. I hope there are a few people out there who can clear things up for me, as i have a few questions about his care.
Food: this is an important one, no doubt. Anywho, i know they like greens (collared, mustard..etc..) but im not sure he actually eats the stuff, he makes a mess out of his tank with it, thats for sure. Now i know this is probably unhealthy, but it seems his favorite stuff to eat on a daily basis is moist green iguana diet, Nature Zone brand. im just curious as to if this is lacking in nutrients for him, and if there is some way i can get him to eat the greens for sure? I also feed him a cricket or 2 about every 3 days, as i have read they are omnivorous, unlike their green counterparts. If this is a myth, PLEASE set me straight, as once he gets big enough, i'll be tossing him a pinky mouse about twice a month
Substrate: I am using Zoo-Med vita-sand which is clacium fortified, and recommended for desert dwelling reptiles. but i see that sand can cause a fatal blockage in green iguanas, should i be sprinting down to the pet store and be finding a more suitable substrate, and put the mook who sold it to me in an arm-bar?
Water: is tap water ok for these guys, or is the chemicals, and metals in there going to harm him? should i be buying water conditioner as well as Vitamin D3 suppliment?
Behavior: It is taking a very long time for him to build trust, i have lived with him for 5 months, and he still gets very skittish when i attempt to pick him up, and these are fast little buggers. i wanted to give him a bit more time to grow before i handle him daily, as i hafta keep a tight hold on him, or he is able to sprint away, and apparently they are the worlds fastest reptile...and i have cats that'll prolly eat him.
Bathing: as he can be very hard to hold, and i wouldnt dream of letting him go, (i'd probably never find him again) i have yet to bathe him. he has a shallow dish of water that i see him sit in every now and then, but i doubt its for bathing purposes. Should i be bathing him, or just let him be?
Size: he hasnt appeared to have grown that much, if at all...this might be my eyes playing tricks on me, but either way, i'd rather know for sure that its not a nutrition issue. his tank is roughly 3'w x 2't x 1.5 length, so i doubt thats the issue
I'll attempt to post some pictures of guillermo shortly, and i hope there is someone out there who can give me some solid advice.
