I was thinking back to when we got Lizzy this August. He was housed in a 7’ aquarium with heat rocks and heat lamps. He was given fresh food and water every day and that was about the extent of his interaction with humans. Lizzy wasn’t mean, but didn’t like to be handled (you would take your life in your own hands when you would try to get him out of the cage), looked at or even talked to. What was his quality of life really like? When we finally decided to bring Lizzy home, due to his owner going to Iraq, there were major changes that took place in our lives. I know when we first got him, he was in too large for the aquarium we had, but we had to make due until a bigger cage could be made. I researched the Internet for information on how to make a bigger cage for a large Iguana that would suit his needs. The cage takes up one wall of my oldest son’s room, but it was a sacrifice he made, as it was his friend’s iguana. After the cage was made and Lizzy was put inside he wasn’t a happy camper. He eventually came around and figured out what the basking branch was for. I now see 150 % difference in the iguana that we brought home in August to the one we have now. Lizzy enjoys being hand feed, being carried around, having the opportunity to explore the house. When you hear the click of the nails on the floor you know you have company. This is a 4+ foot iguana who would have ripped your arms open trying to get down a few months ago, now enjoys being carried around like a baby, will lick you sometimes and enjoys playing around with the cat (a game called catch the tail). I really think Lizzy’s quality of life has improved so much since he joined our family. Taking Lizzy in, wasn’t a cheep endeavor, his new cage cost around $175 to build. But I feel that he has brought joy to the family and helps eat the extra vegetables around the house. He will be here until his last day on earth. Thinking back on buying our first iguana 10 years ago (he became mean and had to find a new home), I would have never pictured us with an Iguana this large, but he fits in just fine.
The important thing is you have to consider the quality of life of a critter before you get one. Think about what it is going to need 5, 10 or 20 years down the line. Will you be able to take care of those needs

Very true indeed.

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0.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa (Sakura)
1.1.0 Leopard geckos (Tasuki, Sango)
2.0.0 Ball pythons (Tsume, Kenshin)

You are right on the money colleen. It's a blessing to hear such things from dedicated owners such as you and your son especialy when you have done some iguana adoption in the past which has a very special place in my heart.

On a side note, it's even better that you got that ig out of that aquarium and away from the heat rocks. I'm sure that whatever kind of life he had before was nothing compared to the quality of life he had with you and your son. You cant really blame him for being a grouch...just look at where he came from. There really isnt any aquarium or commercial iguana cage big enough for an adult, and he was obviously cramped.

Thank you so much for posting about this. I share your concern and wish you and yours very happy holidays!

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

Well said Colleen! Very well said!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

So true Colleen... The saddest thing about herping is people don't realize when they get this cute little four or five inch lizard that it could end up being four or five feet in the long run. Funny, people know when they get a breed of dog how big it will end up, and what it will need, but they often just don't do the research when getting a herp. Thank goodness there are people like you (us too, with our Red Eared Slider) to help these unfortunate creatures that end up being posted for adoption for no other reason than poor preparation.

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I give up! I've officially lost count of the critters...