sasha2
Junior Member
Posts: 10
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Post by sasha2 on Nov 13, 2012 4:36:06 GMT -8
I put in some chopped collared greens and a cut up blackberry but he was just too scared to eat yesterday.
He was also too scared to get under the basking light.Lots to get used to here with yappy dogs and a noisy pair of cockatiels.So how long do i wait for him to eat before i start worrying?
Another question, while i do have his tank covered on all sides with a window left open we have a cockatiel cage about 2 ft from the tank.Will the birds scare the iggy?
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Post by JennaAndIguanaGwen on Nov 13, 2012 12:58:58 GMT -8
Good question about the birds! Yep, that will definitely scare the little guy. Birds are one of baby iguanas main predators so he/she is likely petrified. Fast movements and loud noises also easily startle iguanas of any age but young iguanas are more sensitive to them. I would suggest moving him/her to the quietest room in the house to lower his stress levels. Since he isn't eating yet try to get some fluids in him; get a squirt bottle and spray some water in his mouth (I do this with Gwendolyn when I mist her). With Gwen I just have to mist her a bit and she lifts her head and closes her eyes then I spray some water in the crease in her mouth and she drinks it. It may not be so easy for you if the little guy doesn't want to be misted. Baths are another alternative - that might be easier if he doesn't want to be misted. Some iguanas LOVE baths but some don't; Gwen isn't a big fan of them. Hopefully he will start eating within a couple days - just keep offering him food and add more treats for now like banana, strawberry, or soaked wheat bread bits to encourage him. If it goes on for much longer I would recommend contacting a vet - which would be a good idea anyway just for a check up to make sure he is a healthy little guy and there are no hidden problems. He has had one heck of a life so far - I know you will do your best and hopefully it will only get better from here  -Jenna |
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sasha2
Junior Member
Posts: 10
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Post by sasha2 on Nov 14, 2012 10:12:47 GMT -8
Okay I will move him over to the other side of the living room.Its the quieter side and much less traffic. Im having trouble with his setup though.Its a 40 gallon that has a custom made top.Its wood with holes on each side that holds a light fixture.I have the one light on one side with a flourescent uvb tube mounted inside.But because a 40 gal is rather short the basking log is too close to the light and overheating.If I get rid of the log he will have to bask on the ground.
I notice he is either in the log or on the cool side but never under the heat light.
Im thinking about building a mesh tank topper which would add more height to the tank.
But our house if very very dry in winter so that will complicate things.
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Post by JennaAndIguanaGwen on Nov 14, 2012 22:49:42 GMT -8
Even on the other side of the room the birds can still cause stress for him. Is he handling it better; started eating and/or being more active? As for the log, is there a way you can shift it (sideways or up-side-down) that will stop the over heating but still bring the little guy closer to the light? He likely is not getting much air flow in there due to the glass walls and the wooden top so the screen top might be a better idea. You can keep him/her humid by misting and having a tub of water in the enclosure (Tip: iguanas tend to use a water source, such as a tub or water dish, as a toilet). I don't know exactly how big he/she is right now but they grow fast so the little guy is going to need a bigger enclosure soon (preferably not a tank; it will be outgrown quickly and it's hard to regulate temperatures). A lot of people end up building their own custom enclosures, especially for when the time comes for a full size enclosure (about 6ft tall x 5ft long x 4 ft wide). I used PVC pipe for the frame, cloth for the walls, and sealed plywood for the selves/ramps with a linoleum covering the main shelf with her tub of water, a towel over the ramp she basks on and a pillow on the top shelf where she sleeps. Other people have build an enclosure with wood or converted old book shelves or cabinets into enclosures - there are lots of options. Pet store brand UVB lights generally don't give out much UVB so I would suggest a light from www.reptileuv.com/ I had a bulb that I bought from a pet store a short while ago and it hardly did anything. I had the bulb over the summer and whenever I brought Gwendolyn outside into the sun  her head would start to turn a light purple-ish brown color (which is good-it showed she was getting UVB) as opposed to grey. When I finally received my order from ReptileUV (the 160 watt self ballasted- which I would Never recommend for a tank and anything with a distance of less than 18 inches) and plugged the light in - within the first few hours her head began turning purple-ish brown! It took them forever to ship the bulb but it's great! Could you post a picture of your little guy? I haven't seen him yet -Jenna |
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sasha2
Junior Member
Posts: 10
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Post by sasha2 on Nov 15, 2012 11:46:46 GMT -8
I cant get a pic unless I mess with him so it will be a few days.He is not the size of the tiny hatchlings ive seen.He is maybe twice that size, but not over 12 inches total length.
I have the Zoomed flourescent tube that the Ig. society sight said was acceptable. Years ago when I had my tegu we used one of those MVB, I think it was a Powersun brand and it lasted 3 days and popped.We sent it back got another and it lasted two weeks and popped.It was a waste of 50 bucks.I think its because our electricity surges so much. I may try again but when I have his adult enclosure built.(although I will have him outside in summer)
Im not completely unprepared for a large lizard.Our Tegu was well over 4ft and was as heavy as our 20lb cat, I had him for 5 yrs..I only rehomed him because my hubby was very sick and on chemo off and on for two years..But I havent had an iguana before though and the fact that I got it from a cr*ppy petstore has me more worried then I normally would be..I think I will call the petstore today and find out what and if they fed him..
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Post by JennaAndIguanaGwen on Nov 16, 2012 11:50:55 GMT -8
Under a foot - he's a tiny little guy I'm sorry about the Powersun bulb  I've never tried one of those bulbs. The bulbs I have received from ReptileUV have been great quality and lasted over a year. I've never had any reptile other than an iguana so it's hard to imagine feeding a lizard meat - Tegus are meat eaters are they not? Did you feed him mice or what kind of meat? |
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sasha2
Junior Member
Posts: 10
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Post by sasha2 on Nov 16, 2012 13:32:57 GMT -8
Yes the tegu ate meat but also veggies and fruit. He ate lots of different stuff, I tried to give him something different each day.So he would get a couple of rats(prekilled) one day and the next ground turkey and salad.Then maybe a couple eggs with salad or fruit and even a whole fish once a week.He was super cool and mostly friendly.Had his days when he would chase me out of his pen but mostly mellow. Never got bit anyway.
H
I soaked the little iggy today.I also changed out his substrate. He was on organic soil(trying to make a bioactive substrate) but after reading more decided to just switch to newspaper.So I hope this doesnt set him back too much.
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her head would start to turn a light purple-ish brown color (which is good-it showed she was getting UVB) as opposed to grey. When I finally received my order from ReptileUV (the 160 watt self ballasted- which I would Never recommend for a tank and anything with a distance of less than 18 inches) and plugged the light in - within the first few hours her head began turning purple-ish brown! It took them forever to ship the bulb but it's great!
I've never tried one of those bulbs. The bulbs I have received from ReptileUV have been great quality and lasted over a year.