FAQ's
Q:
I have a year 1/2 old female iguana. I just recently purchased her, and I
heard that you could train them to defecate in a liter box. Any helpful hints
you have on this area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
A:
It's true you can train an iguana to use a litter box. Start with a container big enough for the iguana, then fill it up to the iguana's shoulders in water. Your iguana will most likely defecate in the water. After a few weeks, remove the water from the pan and replace it with newspaper. Your iguana
will now defecate on the paper instead of the water.
Q:
My 6 year old iguana started to lay eggs tonight. There are about 20 eggs in
the tank. They are obviously unfertilized and this has never happened before.
I called a vet and they said not to worry, just watch her behavior and if
anything happens bring her in but I don't trust their advice because many vets
are not trained in exotics. Could you please tell me if this is
a problem?
A:
It doesn't sound like there is a problem to me. Female iguanas can lay unfertilized eggs. Make sure she receives plenty of calcium rich foods, her body needs extra at this time.
Q:
My daughter is trying to decide if green iguanas are color blind or/and if
they eat by sight or smell. She divided Rep-cal food into 5 colors and the
iguana seemed to eat the red first, green second, then purple, red/orange and
then left alot of brown. Your thoughts.
A:
Iguanas perceive colors a little like humans do with a few exceptions. It is believed that iguanas can actually see ultraviolet light (U.V.). They can also perceive different colors from one another, they are attracted to bright colors, and be "choosy" about what color food they eat.
Q:
HI I'M A NEW IGUANA OWNER. HER NAME IS LIZZY, SHE IS 4 FEET LONG. I WOULD LIKE
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER COLOR. SHE IS BROWN ON HER TOP AND GREEN ON HER
BELLY. IS THIS NORMAL OR IS IT STRESS? SHE SEEMS TO BE HAPPY, SHE HAS A NICE BIG
CAGE, AND WHEN I'M HOME THE RUN OF THE HOUSE. THANKS, STEVE
A:
Your iguana's color sounds pretty normall. After iguanas mature, their bright green color turns to a brownish hue on top. They usually keep the green on their bellies.
Q:
How often are iguanas suppose to have BM's? My four year old green female
iguana hasn't had a BM for about a week or so. Maybe it's the bananas. She
is eating and drinking well. Can you give me any insight?
Roberta
A:
Iguanas are supposed to defecate everyday.Your iguana sounds like it is constipated and needs veterinary care. I also advise you to stop feeding your iguana bananas (they are high in phosphorus, and low in calcium).
Q:
I have had my green iguana, Iggy, since last May. What are those small round
abalone looking like spots near his neck? Someone said ears, someone else
said that is where their poison is? Also--how do you know if it is a girl or
a boy--not that it matters just curious.
A:
Those "spots" you are referring to are the iguana's ears. If you want to tell what gender your iguana is, look at my "Is it a he or a she?" page.
Q:
Hey , I got a Question about my iguana...well I have 2 but am only concerned
about the female. I have a huge cage thing that I built, and both of them are
in there. M & F, for the most part they get along. Recently I noticed that
she was getting bumps on her tail. I was thinking that they were bites from the
male, but am not real sure. Any way, she's been acting real lazy and not
wanting to eat, is there any thing like antibiotic type stuff for the liz. or
medicine? I have been giving them there vitamins and calcium type stuff.
so I have no clue.
A:
Your female iguana sounds like she is in a serius condition. The bump on her tail is probably an abscess that developed due to the male's aggression. The abscess needs to be treated by a qualified veterinarian immediatley if this is the case.
Q:
I have recently seen an iguana near a pond in Naples, FL. Is it possible that
iguanas might survive in the Everglades or that they have been found there?
George Benas
Naples, FL
A:
It is possible that some iguanas either immagrated or were let loose in the Everglades. Florida ia warm most of the year so it is an almost ideal place for an iguana.
Q:
I'M NEW TO IGUANAS FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW .I GOT A YOUNG MALE AND FEMALE I'VE GROWN
ATTACHED TO BUT THEY STILL LIKE TO RUN FROM ME. COULD THIS BE BECAUSE THEY LIVE TOGETHER? I
HANDLE THEM DAILY. I'M ALSO LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD INDOOR HOUSING THAT LOOKS NICE AND
WOULD BE LARGE ENOUGH FOR THEM BOTH. IF YOU COULD HELP ME PLEASE DO .
A:
Your handling technique may need some fine tuning. When you go to handle one of your iguanas, keep your hand underneath them instead of reaching over them. Also try offering food by hand, but not always because iguanas tend to get used to that!
Q:
My iguana is almost 5, and for the past 4 years everything has been
fine. She laid 1 clutch of eggs, but none since then. Lately, she
hasn't been eating(2-3 weeks)and she's loosing lots of weight. I took
her to the vet and got some medicine along with some calcium
deposit, but she still refuses to eat! I'm leaving for college soon and
I am scared that she won't get better!! Do you have any suggestions
as to what the problem might be? THANX !
A:
It could be possible that your iguana is either egg-bound or just going through the breeding season. I urge you to take her to the vet for an X-ray just to be sure about it.
Q:
Dear IguanaMan,
My name is Dwayne Smith. I live in Bourbon Mo.I had a iguana named Sassy.I
got her on December 12 and she died on January 12.I only had her for a very
short time.I was getting to be very close to her.I was wondering since your
the IguanaMan if you could tell me how she died. Her body got stiff
and she just stopped eatting. I could lay her on the floor but she justlayed
there. When she was in her cage all she would do is sleep all day. If you
know why she died e-mail me.
A:
It sounds like your iguana died from MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). If an iguana doesn't get enough calcium, then it's body takes it from the only source available, the bones. After a few weeks an iguana will seem lifeless and not eat due to a soft and painfull jaw.
Q:
Hello...
I got my first Iguana a long time ago. It is about two feet long, and he loves to eat. Do you now what would be the best size cage
to put him in? He is in a 4"x 2"x4" with one branch about as wide as his body.
A:
The best size cage you can build for your iguana is as big as you can. Iguanas need a lot of space and the more the better.
Q:
Hi! I found your site on the net.
I have a question.
I have 3 iguanas. They are getting really big and are starting to fight for
territory. Would they be alright to release in my backyard with the other wild
iguanas that are around? We have fruit trees and live on a lake. If they
wouldn't be alright, I won't release them.
Thanks,
Tracee
A:
I don't think it would be a wise idea to release your iguanas into the wild. They are probably used to a captive environment and couldn't survive in the wild. Try builing seperate cages for them away from each other.
Q:
Do female iguanas reproduce eggs by herself?Great site!Kia
A:
Yes they do! Iguanas, like chickens can lay unfertilized eggs by themselves.
