View Full Version : Gentle adult Iggy, perfect for outreach
Every now and then someone calls me about adoption, since the zoo has my phone# from about a million years ago. Normally I refer them to the Adoption Committee, but I told this lady that I would post this for her since I know our committee isn't able to take Igs right now. I explained how difficult it is to find someone to take one of these guys, but this one sounds special so I'm hoping someone will be interested.
This is an older retired couple in Oregon who need to find a home for their adult Iguana. They have had it for around 15 years. It's smallish, around 40 inches, non-aggressive, and free-roaming in their home with a branch set up in the front sunny window. It's potty-trained in that once a day she sticks it in the tub and it does it's business. It sounds to me like a female, partly from the size and also because it is never aggressive. It really sounds like a good Iggy for outreaches- she says her grandkids pet it all the time and it climbs in her lap frequently. She often carries it around on her shoulder (which I advised against.)
I know Iguanas are a lot of work, but I'm hoping that someone will want this one. Gentle Igs that are able to be free-ranging in the house are much less common than big nasty dangerous Igs. For those of you who like to do outreaches, this might be a perfect match.
Here's what she had to say about it:
".........believe the age to be around 15. Length 40 inches end of nose to end of tail and weighs 6 pounds.
He has never been in a cage since we got him. I have built up an area that runs most of the length of the bedroom to window sill height, there is a box at one end where he sleeps. There is a limb running part way on his area that he hangs out on quite a bit. When the sun is out he spends most of him time looking out the window and soaking up the sun. He can get down and move around when he wants to. Sometimes he gets down a lot and other times he never leaves his area except when I take him down daily for his bath or to take him outside to get fresh air. I do not let him on the ground as I'm sure I would never be able to catch him.
He is trained to go potty in the bathtub and we put him in there everyday between 5 & 6 in the evening. I usually put in 6 or 7 inches of water so he can swim around before doing his business. On very, very, rare occasions he will get down and go in on the linoleum floor in the kitchen and relieve himself. If I'm home I always pick him up and put him in the bathtub just to make sure then let him tour the house if he wants to. If we are gone that is where he always goes.
He likes to be held and petted. My computer desk is right by his bed and he often crawls down on my lap and sits, or climbs up on my shoulder which I will not let him do anymore per your advice.
Almost everybody that comes to the house wants to meet him and he has never acted aggressively to any of them......... everybody that has tried has been able to pet him and that has been a lot of people including children."
If you're interested, PM me and I'll put you in touch with her.
and even more pictures......
SeattlesGirl
06-12-2009, 07:59
She's just gorgeous, man I really wish I could have a house already! An iggy is deffinately a big baby that I would love to have once I have more space to dedicate. :)
Why do you suggest they not go on a persons shoulder? Is it a dominance thing? Like parrots?
I had parrots for 30 years and never worried about them on my shoulder until I started reading about some of the injuries that tame, bonded birds had done to the faces of their loved owners out of jealousy or because they were startled suddenly. You just never know.
My advice to anyone about any wild animal pet is to consider the worst that can happen and then take simple precautions. I never let a reptile near my face. Even the slight movement of your eyelid when you blink can trigger a strike from a snake. (A STRIKE AT YOUR EYE.) A large Iggy has tiny teeth, but they are sharp and backed up by powerful jaws. A bite in the face is a serious matter.
Having said that, let me reiterate that this is an Iguana with a proven 15-year history of mellow, gentle behavior in an uncaged household situation. For someone who wants a really great Iggy experience and loves to do Outreach, this is the one.
ChelsBrown
06-12-2009, 10:02
What an awesome animal. I love iggys, I wish I had the space, patience and time for one. Maybe when my son is a little older :D
I grew up in a small town where there was an iguana who lived in the elementary school library. Her name was Garth, and as a young child I remember the librarian assigning "jobs" to different children including myself who wanted to participate in her care. She had a huge enclosure inside and a roofless courtyard right off the library to herself when the weather was warm, but I remember her preferring to climb around the bookshelves and into our laps during story time.
She was one of the coolest Animals I've ever met, and knowing her was probably what sparked my passion for quirky animals at such a young age. When she passed away spring of last year, her death made the front page of the town paper and our valedictorian even spoke of her at our High School graduation.
It really saddens me to seen these animals so misunderstood and mistreated, i think it's really important to use these in outreaches because I've seen first hand how many people go into petco, pick a baby one up for 30 dollars and let it die or become unmanageable in a year or two because their son or daughter thought it was cool. I rarely see one who's had a life as good as Garth's or this one's, and thats pretty lame considering how common they are.
Wow, I really hope someone can take this Ig and give her an awesome home.
I can ask my landlady, she had an Iggy for around 12+ years long ago when her sons were growing up. She's on the East side of the mountains now and I'm not sure of her situation, but I will mention it, she is thankfully a reptile lover/appreciator. She even wanted me to call her when my fat tail eggs hatched, so thats something! :)
Just curious as to why these folks are rehoming after such a long time and after providing such a good home?
dalvers63
06-12-2009, 11:10
Igs are definitely not an easy pet to find a home for these days. Along with this one, we have another woman looking for a home for hers and have been contacted by a couple of other people that we have had to turn down due to lack of space.
My only concern with this guy is how much UV light he's had over the years. Sun through glass is not helpful, however he looks pretty good from the pictures.
I can add him to the petfinder page, too, if you like.
.........My only concern with this guy is how much UV light he's had over the years. Sun through glass is not helpful, however he looks pretty good from the pictures.
I was concerned and asked about that. She has had UV lights for him at various times in the past, though not now. She takes him outside frequently for "fresh air" and I'm assuming that the exposure to UV at those times has helped. I specifically asked for head shots to look for signs of MBD, and I don't see any obvious problems from the pictures.
I can add him to the petfinder page, too, if you like.
Thanks Deb, that would be great!
Adams Family
06-12-2009, 12:26
Cecilia you’re such a good friend to attempt to find a home for her iggy.
Your advice is always welcomed here and many of us look forward to your vast of fine knowledge. :yes:
Great to see your face Cecilia:flowers:
......Just curious as to why these folks are rehoming after such a long time and after providing such a good home?
I did not press this question. She mentioned her husband wanting to travel. The lady is 70, and I presume her husband is older. Their son had this Iguana 15 years ago, decided he could no longer keep it, and they gave it a home and have cared for it wonderfully.
Many, many issues come up unexpectedly as we age that impact our pets, especially the long lived and well-cared-for ones. Many of us insist that nothing but death will ever part us from our beloved (insert species here), only to find months or years later that in real life, the only thing certain is that life will surprise us.
......Great to see your face Cecilia:flowers:
Thanks Shauna! Actually, I was just thinking about you, and what a good Iggy mother you would be...........
And how much you love to do Outreach.........
And how teeny-tiny your current lizards are, so hard to see from the back of the classroom..........
Adams Family
06-12-2009, 12:53
ohh my dear 'c'..... how I adore u... but no iggy for me... our home is full..:flowers::flowers:
Hrmm a social adult free range Ig. Sounds like something my hubby would really want. Our cat might be an issue though. Her hunting instinct is going to waste in the house and seems to have been redirected twards staring at/stalking our other pets. I'll talk it over with him when he wakes up though.
Hrmm a social adult free range Ig. Sounds like something my hubby would really want. Our cat might be an issue though. Her hunting instinct is going to waste in the house and seems to have been redirected twards staring at/stalking our other pets. I'll talk it over with him when he wakes up though.
I'm not sure how to deal with cats living peacefully with Igs. I'm tempted to say that 1 smack of an Iguana tail would be enough to chastise your Kitty, but I just don't know. The Ig might not be as mellow if it is too stressed by a furry predator stalking it. I'll email the current owner and ask about cats.
And how teeny-tiny your current lizards are, so hard to see from the back of the classroom..........
Cecilia, you cracked me up! You are hilarious!
I agree, those cresties are difficult to see from way in the back.....
Adams Family
06-12-2009, 15:58
Cecilia, you cracked me up! You are hilarious!
I agree, those cresties are difficult to see from way in the back.....
Bren don’t encourage her...:nono:
Bren don’t encourage her...:nono:
Don't worry; I'm not encouraging her... you're just the best place in town to be an animal of any sort!
wow....I'd love to have this Iggy. But I'll need to ask my hubby first though. I would still need to find a home for my snake though. Also is there an adoption fee for this Iggy?
...... Our cat might be an issue though.......
I emailed and asked if this Ig has been around cats, and here's the answer-
"Yes he/she has but it was several years ago. We had an indoor/outdoor very independent large orange female that adopted us. They pretty much ignored each other and one day the cat disappeared........"
Also is there an adoption fee for this Iggy?
She has not mentioned a fee. Their primary concern is finding a home where it will be loved and cared for.
......I agree, those cresties are difficult to see from way in the back.....
Yes, tiny little microscopic lizardlettes, cute, but certainly not ideal for an Outreach. Imagine those poor little 6-year-olds, their eyes shining in anticipation, their chubby little fingers reaching out to touch a real live lizard for the very first time in their short lives...... but Sorry, no big sturdy 40-inch Iguana here to pet, only an itty-bitty little crestie....... their fingers can't reach it, it's too small....... sobbing, the children turn back to their seats, bitterly disapointed and secretly harboring ill-will towards PNWHS for the rest of their lives......
Oh Shauna, how can you let this happen?????
I had just thought of something!!!! We have this little balcony off of our bedroom & Hallway that we never use. It's covered, and just needs some screen for summer, and some insulation for winter time. Has 2 doors. But would be the perfect habitat for a large iggy when I'm not at home to watch. The iggy would be out and about when I'm at home. Plus I don't work. All I would have to do is get some ledges made, and get a nice UV lamp to hang (even-though there will be sun there in the summer). Oh...and some nice long branches for climbing.
And we lost our kitty of 18 years in January, so none of our other animals would do anything.
This is coming together! Just need to get the hubby involved.
I'll ask him tonight! And show him the cutesy pics of the Iggy.
But....I still need to find a good home for the Mexican Boa.
SQUEEEEEE! Hubby said I can have her!
So what do I do now?
stamp4hobby
06-12-2009, 19:08
Yes, tiny little microscopic lizardlettes, cute, but certainly not ideal for an Outreach. Imagine those poor little 6-year-olds, their eyes shining in anticipation, their chubby little fingers reaching out to touch a real live lizard for the very first time in their short lives...... but Sorry, no big sturdy 40-inch Iguana here to pet, only an itty-bitty little crestie....... their fingers can't reach it, it's too small....... sobbing, the children turn back to their seats, bitterly disapointed and secretly harboring ill-will towards PNWHS for the rest of their lives......
Oh Shauna, how can you let this happen?????
Ceciia, you are a riot!!! LMAO!
Well the big Iguana is showing up here tomorrow morning! I will take pics and post them :D
dalvers63
06-15-2009, 19:01
Enjoy your iggy, Jade!
Now, for all of you that missed out on this one, don't forget that we often get requests to place others! If you really want an iguana, just let me know and I'll point one your way the next time someone calls...
I've noticed quite a few of them on Craigslist as well
The Iggy is doing good for the first night. She's a bit scared and confused, but she is beginning to trust me.
I'll post some pics of her tomorrow. Just been sooo busy!
I'm very glad that this worked out so well for everyone concerned.
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