How about a great story??

[herp_chick]

Everyone always hears horror stories of reptiles who were neglected, abused, and ignored. Well, I have a story of 2 who were very fortunate not to belong to someone like that. Started last Saturday when I got a phone call. Lady called me and said she had to move, but could not take her iguanas with her. Said they were 5ft and wanted to know if she could just give them to me. So I told her sure, bring them up. She brought them Tuesday. I could tell it really bothered her to give them up.
She has had these guys since they were babies. They have had nothing but the best fresh greens and veggies. These folks grew a garden and froze their own stuff so the iguanas would have good food during the winter. They have had UVB, calcium supplement, and plenty of free roam time out of their enclosure their whole lives.
I have never seen iguanas so well-loved and cared for. And you could tell that they got personal time every day. They are the sweetest lizards! They do not whip tails, gape at you, or show any sign of aggression whatsoever.
They are 10, yes TEN yrs old. How many iguanas live that long? I'm sure lots do, but not in comparison to how many are sold, and how many are in this kind of health and temperament at that age?? This lady gave them excellent care their whole lives.
I cannot bear the thought of being responsible for anything bad happening to them, so I have decided rather than risking adopting them out to a place where they might not get attention, good food or lighting, or time out that I will keep them the rest of their natural lives.
Very cute.........I have 3 cages stacked in front of the window at the shop. They laid up there for hours watching traffic in the parking lot and dozing. They even let me trim their nails.
Kudos to this lady for 10 years of AWESOME care she gave these guys. In the pic is the female, Rafiki. Quakezombie, who some of you may remember from here awhile back comes in the store often and I got a nice pic of Rafiki hanging out with him.

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[NicoleRussell]

great looking iguana !

	Iguana Iguana

[louise]

it is so nice to hear a good happy story for once.
kudos herpchick for you keeeping them. these animals get a great life forever

[NicoleRussell]

it's a huge undertaking with iguanas...you get alot of credit sheri!

	Iguana Iguana

[herp_chick]

I think that's what alot of people don't understand when they buy those cute little, I mean Little green iggys. They don't realize the time and money that goes into fresh greens, veggies, and fruit. Making that up every day, and then socializing. without a good amount of socializing, iguanas get grumpy. I get alot of calls about iguanas that are mean. I always say, what are you feeding it, how are you lighting it, and how much social time does it get. The answers are usually disappointing. They are awesome animals with alot of personality, but they are not an animal you can ignore, or take improper care of and expect them to be fine. I always am a sucker for the underdog

	Iguana Iguana

[Mark_scuba]

its nice to hear about some reptiles being cared for correctly.....

[NicoleRussell]

I think one of the most ignored aspects of iguana husbandry is the lighting. High outputuvb seems to be a corner alot of people like to cut either buy buying a cheap bulb or by not replacing it enough---and the yearly cost for heat and uvr is nothing to shrug at either.....