| Subject: |
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3.5 yr old male ig needs experienced home |
| Name: |
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Heather |
| Date Posted: |
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Jul 6, 05 - 11:56 PM |
| IP Address: |
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209.43.113.138 |
| Email: |
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heather_7696@yahoo.com |
| Message: |
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Irwin is approximately 3.5 years old and approximately 22" SVL and 4.5' STL. I have had him since he was about 1 year old. I feel bad about not keeping him, but I just feel he would have a better home with a more experienced owner. I took him in when my sister-in-law and brother moved to China for a year. When they returned, they could no longer care for him as they didn’t have the space and time. She bought him as a tiny baby and I guess she didn't realize he was going to get very big. Unfortunately, most people don't know much about igs. They just see the cute little bright green lizard. And, it doesn't help that you can purchase them for next to nothing! When I took him in, I knew he would get very large, but it didn't bother me. I actually got him to be very tame, sweet, and calm. When I first took him in, he was very skittish and tail whipped all the time (like most young igs). However, last October he started to become extremely aggressive. He would launch himself into the side of the cage to bite me. I avoided getting bit luckily. He is quite large now and would have done quite a bit of damage. For a long while (about 8 months) he remained very aggressive and as a result of slamming into his cage had scabs all over his nose. We built him a larger enclosure 7' high X 5' wide and 4' deep. He has mellowed out considerably. However, after seeing him so aggressive, I am scared to even try to get him out. He still takes aggressive stances at times (walking tall on all fours, swinging tail, and making his body appear larger) however, he doesn't do it all the time. He has begun to take grapes from my fingers again and he is very gentle when he takes them. I am also able to pet him through the cage wire. I think with the right owner he would be just fine. I think he knows that he intimidates me even though I try very hard not to show it. Anyway, I never really wanted an ig, but I couldn't bear allowing my sister-in-law give him to someone who knew nothing and would not research the proper ways of caring for an ig. I knew that I could care for him properly. I think his appearance speaks for itself. He is a gorgeous guy! He eats a variety of vegetables and fruits such as collard, mustard, dandelion, and escarole greens, green beans, green peppers, thawed mixed vegetables, grapes, various commercial ig foods occasionally, squash, zucchini, etc. His favorites are collard greens and grapes. His basking spot is usually about 93+ degrees and the overall temperature of the room is 75-80 degrees depending on whether or not the door is kept closed. His humidity levels are usually around 50-54%. I use a humidifier to keep the humidity high. I never, ever thought that his personality would change as much as it has. I heard about breeding season, but his lasted so much longer than the norm, and he isn't quite the same ig that he used to be. Even so, when I took responsibility of him, I thought I would always be able to deal with him. I don’t think that is the case anymore, unfortunately. He used to climb down from his basking spot just to be pet. But, like I said, he may very well be just fine out of his enclosure, but I just don't want to take any chances. I hope I can find an experienced home for him so he can once again roam out of his cage and lead a more interesting life.
I will only place Irwin in a home that I am sure can deal with him
properly. Please let me know if you have any experience with reptiles and/or iguanas. This is just so that I can feel comfortable that he will get a good home. I’ve never sold any of my pets before and this is very hard!
I am located about 1 hour north of Indianapolis, Indiana. If I can find the right home, Irwin will be free. I am asking $130 OBO for Irwin, 2 new 48" UVA/UVB bulbs and new fixture, 1 basking light and fixture, 1 ceramic heat emitter and fixture, temp/humidity gauge, ceramic water dish, humidifier, timer for lights, and a binder of ig info. I also have a custom built enclosure 7' high, 5' wide, and 4' deep. For everything (including Irwin) plus the enclosure I am asking for $350.
There are some pictures of Irwin here:
http://photobucket.com/albums/y84/IrwinsMom/
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks, Heather |
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