From: nvonstein@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.herp
Subject: Re: Stop an iguana from digging?
Date: 29 Sep 92 15:27:06 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

In article <1992Sep22.040617.63861@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu>, jwg0@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (JOHN WALTER GEWARTOWSKI) writes:
> I have a new iguana (about 4" without tail), and since he's in heaven in a 50
> gallon tank, my sister thinks he digs up the entire tank because he thinks
> he's outside.  Every so often, I make the tank look nice by leveling the peat
> moss, unearthing the rocks, etc., but then he'll just dig up the tank and
> burry everything again.  Is there any way to make him stop doing this?
> I was originally going to buy children's play sand for the bottom, but my
> sister warned against this, saying that the temperature extremes are too
> great.  What do other iguana owners put on the bottom of the tanks?
> 
> After reading the great response a woman got after asking for advice about a
> snake she found in a lab, I've decided to beg for some myself:
> 
>     All you iguana owners out there:  What should I know about my iguana?
>     What mistakes did you make with yours that I shouldn't.  What's the best
>     diet for a young, healthy eater?  How fast can I expect him to grow?  How
>     can I tame him enough so that when I go to pick him up from the cage he
>     doesn't whip me with his tail?  Any other info. you have would be most
>     appreciated.  I have a book, but have not had time to read it due to my
>     MBA classes.  I do, however, waste time on the network.
> -- 
> 
> *--------------------------------------*
>  Take a walk on the Wild side...Biffman
> *--------------------------------------*
> 
> What kind of tires does a DeLorean have?
>     Snow tires.
I'm new on this network so I may make a lot of errors here, but I have a baby
iguana too - about the size of yours.  

What I have in the bottom of my terrarium is a piece of artificial turf which I
got at the pet store.  This works quite well - it is simple to clean  his
habitat weekly - because all I have to do is lift the potted plants out and the
rocks and run the turf under a running faucet.  Works quite well.

I have rocks of varying size in a large clay saucer with a flat rock heater
under it.  The other heat source I have is a gro-lite which I finally found at
a nursery supplier.  

My iguana's name is Chivas (as in Regal) and he is already displaying some neat
characteristics.  Like when I take him out to give him his vitamins, I hold him
gently in my left hand and try to drop the vitamin in his mouth with the
dropper.  He plays dead - no kidding!  Shuts his eyes and goes limp.  First he
did this I thought I really had killed him.  Then one eye peaks open and I knew
then he was playing 'possum (as we say down South).  His favorite meal - leafy
green lettuce (which is quite tender).  He devours great quantities of it.

I talked with one of the biologists here on campus before I got my baby, and he
told me the three most important things are HEAT, LIGHT AND VENTILATION.  

In handling my iguana, I approach his habitat slowly and talk to him (that way
he knows I'm near and is not startled).  He has become familiar with my voice
now.  I then would gently scratch his side.  I made a point of doing this
everyday - then a week later I started just gently taking him in my hand. 
Sometimes he struggles quite a bit, but will settle down as I talk to him.  If
he is too squirmy, just for his safety sake, until I can put him back in his
habitat, I will hold his tail about an inch from the base.  This will stabilize
him quite well.

Well good luck!  Hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm enjoying mine. 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.herp