This is Jade. She is a 6 year old iguana. Jade belongs to a friend of mine that I grew up with and reconnected with on Facebook.
A few days ago, I got an email, asking me if I would be willing to adopt Jade, because he and his wife no longer have time for her since having their daughter (who is now 3) and with both of them working. We agreed to take her in. She comes with her two enclosures (which he built himself), one for indoor/year round and one for outdoor/summer for hanging out on the patio during the warm summer days.
He says she used to be quite tame, but with not being handled as much she has started to tail-whip him when he comes into her enclosure. She's never bit, he says. We're hoping to be able to get her used to human attention and contact again. If this isn't possible, then we'll just care for her as we would any other pet.
I am, to be honest, not an iguana fan - I really believe these animals should not be sold in the pet trade, not because I don't like them but more because they are so often abandoned once they reach adult size, become sexually mature and/or become more aggressive. I've read a TON about iguanas and there are very different opinions on whether they should be pets or not... I lean towards not, but not having had personal experience, I could just be full of it. And it's not the animal itself that I dislike... the real issue is whether humans will buy an 8 inch lizard as a baby and still want that same lizard when it reaches 4 to 6 feet! I think the majority of people aren't prepared for that... my friend, obviously, was in terms of her enclosure. He knew, size-wise, what he was getting into. But, I see so many of these guys on craigslist and up for sale when they reach 'that age', and it upsets me.
So, we are taking her in, in a rescue-type capacity. It could be that she is going through a hormonal cycle (breeding season) or she could just not have had the attention she should have. Either way, if she becomes a sweet pet that can be held, etc. that's great... if she doesn't, she still needs people to take care of her, and we can do that for her.
This is her indoor enclosure. He spent a lot of money making this. It's 6'H x 6'W x 3'D.
This is her outdoor enclosure. He said she loves to be outdoors in the summer months.
This is Jade, formerly 'Kozmo' (they thought she was a he)...
I would love to hear some positive iguana stories, so if anyone has experience with these guys or has some good stuff to share, please jump in! She will be here on Sunday.
A few days ago, I got an email, asking me if I would be willing to adopt Jade, because he and his wife no longer have time for her since having their daughter (who is now 3) and with both of them working. We agreed to take her in. She comes with her two enclosures (which he built himself), one for indoor/year round and one for outdoor/summer for hanging out on the patio during the warm summer days.
He says she used to be quite tame, but with not being handled as much she has started to tail-whip him when he comes into her enclosure. She's never bit, he says. We're hoping to be able to get her used to human attention and contact again. If this isn't possible, then we'll just care for her as we would any other pet.
I am, to be honest, not an iguana fan - I really believe these animals should not be sold in the pet trade, not because I don't like them but more because they are so often abandoned once they reach adult size, become sexually mature and/or become more aggressive. I've read a TON about iguanas and there are very different opinions on whether they should be pets or not... I lean towards not, but not having had personal experience, I could just be full of it. And it's not the animal itself that I dislike... the real issue is whether humans will buy an 8 inch lizard as a baby and still want that same lizard when it reaches 4 to 6 feet! I think the majority of people aren't prepared for that... my friend, obviously, was in terms of her enclosure. He knew, size-wise, what he was getting into. But, I see so many of these guys on craigslist and up for sale when they reach 'that age', and it upsets me.
So, we are taking her in, in a rescue-type capacity. It could be that she is going through a hormonal cycle (breeding season) or she could just not have had the attention she should have. Either way, if she becomes a sweet pet that can be held, etc. that's great... if she doesn't, she still needs people to take care of her, and we can do that for her.
This is her indoor enclosure. He spent a lot of money making this. It's 6'H x 6'W x 3'D.
This is her outdoor enclosure. He said she loves to be outdoors in the summer months.
This is Jade, formerly 'Kozmo' (they thought she was a he)...
I would love to hear some positive iguana stories, so if anyone has experience with these guys or has some good stuff to share, please jump in! She will be here on Sunday.
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