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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 14, 2004 14:26:24 GMT -8
Hi, i just bought a baby iguana hes only a foot head to tail. I have had him two days now and hes very aggresive and has not ate much. i made some salad that inculded chopped collards, dandilions greens, and mustard greens i also made a glop that has some veggies in it like organe squash snap beans and some fruit. i then froze it to peserve it and when i feed him i thaw it out and add brewers yeast for B1 but he seems to not be intrested in ne food except the graoes i put in there. also today he was awake and alert at some points in the day and others he was out like a light. i was wondering if it was normal for him to sleep in the day? or is he sick? sorry for the long posts ;D
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Post by IguanaKing on Jul 14, 2004 15:07:45 GMT -8
First of all, its normal for him to be aggressive and not want to eat the first few days when you bring him home. Its important that you spend as much time as possible with him at this stage so he can learn that you are his friend. Don't be afraid of getting bit by him if he's that small, it'll only cause a little bit of mild discomfort, so use this time to pick him up and handle him so he gets used to you. One of the main reasons he isn't eating is that he is stressed by his new environment, it'll take him a few weeks to feel comfortable and the more time you can spend with him should shorten the amount of time it takes. I'm not sure about freezing his food, I've never tried that, but it usually damages the fruits and vegetables and they might not taste very good any more. When you say you're giving him chopped greens, how small are the pieces? The best way to chop them for your baby ig is in a food processor, he'll be able to fit much more into his stomach this way. Baby igs usually sleep at odd times of the day, just little naps, but actually, it might not really be that he is asleep. Closing their eyes and zoning out is something that igs do to relieve stress, once he realizes that you are a friend, most, if not all, of these problems should go away. He'll learn to recognize and trust you as you spend more time with him. Just keep at it and spend lots of time handling him and showing him you're not a monster that wants to eat him...chances are this is exactly what he thinks of you at the moment, its perfectly normal.
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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 14, 2004 15:23:08 GMT -8
thanks so much for your help
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Post by dominick on Jul 14, 2004 15:38:34 GMT -8
i made some salad that inculded chopped collards, dandilions greens, and mustard greens i also made a glop that has some veggies in it like organe squash snap beans and some fruit. i then froze it to peserve it and when i feed him i thaw it out and add brewers yeast for B1 but he seems to not be intrested in ne food except the graoes i put in there. Why are you supplementing with brewers yeast? Your diet is well-rounded and sufficient for his nutrients and vitamins. Just curious where that came from when all your other care is right on the money.
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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 14, 2004 15:52:48 GMT -8
well i was told since im freezing his food i should use brewers yeast because most of the b1 vitamin is lost when frozen. idk im a beginner lol
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Post by dominick on Jul 14, 2004 16:55:15 GMT -8
Hi Ull- We were all beginners once! That's a perfectly sound explanation and a point I intended to make (about vitamin loss in frozen veggies), but I neglect to put two and two together. Good job you are doing. Is there any reason you have to freeze the veggies? Location maybe? Or is it just for convenience. I've never had much luck with freezing them, Rex won't eat frozen/thawed, unless they are the aweful boxed Birdseye kind, he's such a junk food junkie. LOL As long as it's working, sounds like you are doing everything just right.
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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 14, 2004 17:09:13 GMT -8
its more of a convenience type thing and since hes such a tiny ig theres alot of left over so i freeze but im not sure hes liking it to much cuz he does not seem to eat alot so im going to try mixing some frozen with non frozen. because he loved them un-frozen grapes lol.
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Post by dominick on Jul 14, 2004 17:17:34 GMT -8
Generally they prefer fresh greens and veggies. I try to chop up a weeks worth at a time and keep it in an airtight container. I use it everday and it makes it through the week. This way I only have to cut, chop, slice and dice one day a week.
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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 14, 2004 17:29:18 GMT -8
sounds good im going out tomorow to get some new food for him. i have been hearing alot of arguments about uvb lights im on the side of geting one but wont beable to purchase it till next week (when i get paid ) lol i was wondering if this will effect him or if i need it. once again sorry for all the questions i just dont wnat my isaiah to die on me
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Post by prism_wolf on Jul 14, 2004 17:39:52 GMT -8
YES...your ig NEEDS UVB! Without it your ig will die...but for a short time it will be ok. If you take him/her outside for 30 mins a day this will work beautifully until you can get the right bulbs. Sun is still the better application... If you find the greens are to much and to many go bad...eat 'em yourself! You can have an awesome salad from the left ;Dovers...
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Post by dominick on Jul 14, 2004 18:22:30 GMT -8
I agree with Veronica. UVB exposure is critical to a healthy, long-lived Iguana. They need it to produce Vitamin D3 in their body, which helps their bones stay strong and healthy. Baring artificial light, as Veronica pointed out, the real, unfiltered sun is best (and cheapest btw ) So, until you can get a good bulb in the enclosure, secure your Iguana in a harness or cage and take him outside for a 1/2 hour everyday. I'm curious where you are hearing these "arguments about UVB"? There is no argument, Igs need UVB. There are discussions about the type of light to use, or the amount of exposure certainly, but is it necessary?....ABSOLUTELY! Keep asking questions, it's the best thing you can do for your new Iguana.
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Post by Merlin on Jul 15, 2004 3:33:39 GMT -8
Hi and welcome. No doubt UVB is a must have! Do a search for MBD (metabolic bone disease/disorder) and it will just make you sick what happens to them with out the light. Grapes are fine for a treat but not very nourishing. I too make up frozen fruit and veggie mix and freeze it. My Zok chows down on it. the brewers yeast is a good idea as you are correct that freezing long term destroy vit B1. For the short term it may not lose that much but better safe than sorry. Just don't try to freeze the greens. I did that one time ewwwwwwwwww! Looked like some sort of swamp growth!
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Post by Tesa on Jul 15, 2004 4:08:06 GMT -8
Hi ull, I used the "glop" method when I first got my girl too. She wasn't eating much and it was very difficult to give her a variety without buying WAY too much. (heck one good collard leaf will last a tiny guy a week!) ;D I used the food processor and combined the greens and the veggies. I'd drop it onto a tray in teaspoon sized portions and freeze it, then put the frozen globs into a freezer baggie and "voila", individual ig meals. ;D It sounds as tho you have been doing some reading and are on the right track. Good for you! Whether a person is new to iguana care or an "oldie", questions and concerns will arise. Feel free to make "long posts" any time you want. As you can see, none of us here are afraid of posting/reading more than one paragraph. ;D Longer posts=better info. Welcome to IZ! I'm glad you found us. I hope you'll feel at home and that we can be helpful.
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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 15, 2004 6:45:26 GMT -8
hey guys,
Im going to get the uvb light tomorow for my isaiah i did some reading on it and basicly with my set up it will be useless lol.... im using a 30 gallon glass tank with a screen top with 1/8 inch holes it is also about 15 in deep. any ideas on how to set the light up maybe in the cage?
by the way merlin i looked at some pics of igs with MBD and its awfull i def do not want that to happen to my ig.
by the way guys and girls thanks alot for the help you have been the best source yet on the the whole internet!! ;D im going to take some pictures of isiah for you guys and try to post em so you can see him.
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Post by ullilein1234 on Jul 15, 2004 7:00:07 GMT -8
hear is the pic
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