Green Iguana Society Message Board

Buying an iguana

Posted by Richard on 7/14/2012, 12:47 pm

Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy an iguana in the next few months and before I rush out and get the first thing I see in the classifieds, Im asking if anyone has hatchlings or juvinile iguanas for sale or will be selling in the near future.
I obviously want to go to a 100% captive breeder and ensure that the animal is in good health and feeding, poo'ing normally too. As for my set up, it's a 36" viv exoctic vivarium which was previously used for my Royal python which is now happier in a 50L RUB. Anyway, the viv has a 100w basking light, i 100w infrared and theres also a 12" heat mat at the cool end which keeps a steady 78 degrees celius wiith s bit of help from a pulse stat, the hot end gives out around. 94. So if someone could point me in the right direction of the right person Id be very grateful.
Also, if there's any doubts about my setup then please shout and let me know if I need to change anything.
Cheers, Richard.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by SusanD on 7/14/2012, 1:59 pm, in reply to "Buying an iguana"
71.255.178.92

you could try kingsnake.com classified.

But do consider adopting one thats in a rescue or being offered on such sites as craigslist.com. Theres lots of young ones and you have the advantage of checking out their personalities etc before bringing them home.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Richard on 7/14/2012, 3:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"

Hi, that's great because I'm already a member of Kingsnake.co.uk forum as I have a Cali king. Never thought of looking there.
A resue Iguana might be hard to tame or may even have social issues. I think a captive bred hatchling would suit me better as in terms of size and a fresh beginning for both of us.
I'm keeping an open mind about it so I'm not saying 'no'.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by SusanD on 7/14/2012, 5:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
71.255.178.92

4 of my rescues turned out great, 1 turned out badly after owning him for sometime, he got very aggressive and I havnt handled him in 4 yrs except for the vet. theres just no way of knowing how they will be one day to the next, especially males.

One advantage to getting one a bit older in knowing the gender. each have pros but females often require a very expensive spay after having issues with egging even when they have laid fine in the past, and case you dont know, female igs become gravid ever year with or without a male present.

males go thru aggressive breeding seasons every yr, most last several months and can be very very dangerous...

so thats something to think about.

Where are you in the UK, I am familiar with a couple rescues over there.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Richard on 7/14/2012, 7:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"

That's definitely something I wasn't aware of so thanks for the warning. Maybe a rescue ig' is the way to go.
I live in High Wycombe which is about 25 miles north west of London. I know a guy who takes resue jobs (mainly snakes and inverts) who I bought my 2 Royal pythons from.
He's very thorough and is at the end of the phone if I ever need any advice. If I had the time, money and room I would do exactly the same. This is my hobby. From my first corn snake 6 years ago to now where I have 2 royals, I Cali king, and a bearded dragon, it's something I'm always going to make time for. If you can find a potential animal for me, I'm all set and ready to home him.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by SusanD on 7/15/2012, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
71.255.178.92

still waiting to hear back- are you interested in a Chinese Water Dragon by chance? Theres on in Stoke looking for a home :)

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Richard on 7/16/2012, 3:01 am, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"

Hi, no thank you.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by SusanD on 7/16/2012, 6:48 am, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
71.255.178.92

ahh well, worth a shot :) Ill keep a look out for igs then :)

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Burkely's Mom on 7/16/2012, 10:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
99.192.37.49

My ig was 2 yrs old when I got him.. I must have the best ig in the world.. never had any issues with agression whatsover. he is very affectionate and loves people and attention. I take him out to all the festivals and celebrations going on around and to schools to educate ppl on ig habits. I have never had a problem with him other than him trying to nibble on flowered sundresses and pretty crocs and sandals.. or painted toenails.. lol Oh he doesnt like pugs and is not really a dog lover for that matter but in his old age he is mellowing toward other breeds.. as long as the dog owner is made aware that he might whip the dog we never have an issue.. lol

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Burkely's Mom on 7/16/2012, 10:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
99.192.37.49

I am totaly aware that males can be sassy and aggressive though .. I guess they are all different .. I lucked out with my boy.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by roger on 7/14/2012, 5:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
70.36.215.249

Iguanas have natural personalities that vary from mellow to extremely viscious. It's not a matter of tameness, it's just their natural inclinations. When you check out iguanas for adoption that are at least two years old, you will be able to select for presonality. When you get a baby, you are throwing the dice.

If you are getting a baby anyway, US or European Captive Bred is the way to go. It lets you avoid all the tropical parasites and bacteria that plague pet-store iguanas, which are hatched in Latin America. There seem to be plenty of breeders.

One thing I noticed in your introduction. You didn't mention UVB lighting. Iguanas need adequate UVB as much as they need food to eat. UVB emitters are for sale in lots of Web stores. Get the right one, and be sure to avoid compact fluorescent bulbs.

Did your tropical snake happen to unexplainably die? Could it have been caused by lack of UVB? Your kingsnake needs UVB also. I live in California and have seen several species of wild kingsnakes over my lifetime. Some of them are magnificent, but by law I can't collect any. But I'm sure the black market thrives.

Roger

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Brian on 7/15/2012, 1:14 am, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
76.27.252.112

Look into Cuban and Rhino iguana's. They typically are more tame and intelligent. They have much of the same lighting, heat and dietary needs as a green iguana but their housing needs are different. Where as a green iguana's cage typically is verticle for climbing.. These guys need a lot of ground space as they are not active climbers. So you need to find a pretty large ground space.. You cannot find these at a petsmart of petco. Maybe a local reptile shop that knows what they are doing might have 1 or 2. Make sure whereever you if its a local pet store the cages are clean, the animals do not look sick, under fed and dehydrated.. And learn a few things like UVB, diets etc and ask them their thoughts on care. If they sound off scale then they dont know what they are doing and when you end up bringing home potentially sick reptiles and off to the vet ya go. Outside of local places like kingsnake are the way to go. Typically most of the breeders there have good reputations. It is comming up on breeding time so this is the best time of year to aquire a good healthy baby ig. You are looking at a bigger price tag but in the end I think it pays off - a Cuban or Rhino iguana, captive bred will cost typically 250-300 dollars. I find many people who buy igs from pet stores generally pop quite a bit to correct the pet stores mistakes (at least responsible owners).. So a good healthy iguana be it a cuban rhino or green iguana.. Is the way to go.. Like Roger said captive bred reptiles are the way to go.

Re: Buying an iguana

Posted by Richard on 7/14/2012, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"

Hi, yes I understand how each individual animal has its own personality and they can range from aggressive to dog tame.
I want to start with a young iguana purely because of the size set up I have and getting more longitivity out of the iguana.
Sorry I forgot to mention UV lighting. I have a exo terra 10.0 uv bulb that I also have installed in my Cali kings viv.
Snakes,unlike most species of Lizard, do not require UV lighting as some people say because many snakes are nocturnal such as Royal's, Scrubs, carpets to name but a few.
You may or may not be aware that many breeders keep their livestock in RUB's or storage boxes with only a heat mat or heat cable with no additional lighting.
I know some species of snake require light I.e Corns, some Kings, Milks, and Rat snakes to name but a few.
I think lighting is more for decor than life support in some cases.
It's good to have well informed people to talk to and I appreciate all your information.

Oh It slipped my mind.

Posted by roger on 7/16/2012, 10:42 am, in reply to "Re: Buying an iguana"
70.36.215.249

Carniverous reptiles do not need UVB to get their precursors to vit.D. It's already inside their prey animals.

Is your snake a California Kingsnake? Which kind? Do you have any pics? Does he eat pre-killed frozen/thawed mice? If not, how have you solved the problem of your Kingsnake naturally preferring to eat other reptiles?

Roger

Re: Oh It slipped my mind.

Posted by Brian on 7/17/2012, 12:49 am, in reply to "Oh It slipped my mind."
76.27.252.112

Well what Roger said is true but some of the omni's out there I would defintely have some form of UVB. Just a strip lite would be fine.. Animals such as bearded dragons, water dragons etc. From what I see of peoples reptiles they look healthier when exposed to uvb.

Re: Oh It slipped my mind.

Posted by Richard on 7/16/2012, 2:19 pm, in reply to "Oh It slipped my mind."

Hi, my Cali king is a banded kingsnake with chocolate and white stripes. I feed him 2 XL mice and he's never had any problems feeding apart from occasionly when he's shedding.
I don't and will never give him live food I.e mice, rats or lizards because of the animal protection laws we have in the UK.
The UV light in his viv isnt any harm to him and anyway, it's over 6 mths old now so wouldn't aid D3 nutrition anyway.
Thanks again.

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