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Iguanas Plus Frogs

This is what our member has to say: I'm aware that in general mixing herps is not recommended. Are there any reasons other than this maxim in particular that it wouldn't ...


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Iguanas Plus Frogs

Iguanas Plus Frogs



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  #1  
03-20-2008, 01:52 AM
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Iguanas Plus Frogs

I'm aware that in general mixing herps is not recommended. Are there any reasons other than this maxim in particular that it wouldn't be a good idea to house my foam nest tree frogs with my green iguana? The frogs are pretty sedentary during the day, they like humidity like the iguana, and they generally hide underneath greenery. (My iggy likes to be in the most visible spot right next to the light.) I suppose there is a possibility of a territorial iggy hurting a frog but for some reason I just cant see them venturing near him anyway. There wouldn't be food competition so that shouldnt present a problem, except I suppose the occasional cricket snackin on iggy's greens. The tank currently has plenty of space so they could stay pretty far away from each other if they wanted to. I'm not dead set on doing this, the frogs are currently in a 20 gallon, I just think it would be neat to have a multispecies tank. IF I did, I'd keep the 20 empty in case of immediate problems so I could separate them... what do you all think? In general I've seen recommendations against mixing, but Ive also seen some great successes and think it may be worth the risk for a cool "jungle" style tank.

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 I helped move the meter!   03-20-2008, 02:19 AM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Semanticprison View Post
In general I've seen recommendations against mixing, but Ive also seen some great successes and think it may be worth the risk for a cool "jungle" style tank.
Who's taking the risk here? You or these animals. Even if the iguanas never really bother the frogs (and im not so sure how that would go) There is still a good risk of parasites being transmitted, also all the added stress the animals put on each other, not to mention you really shouldnt feed crickets to iguanas, and they may go after a few if there hungry.
I've always wanted to build a multi-species tank, but it really is something that should only be done when you have quite a bit of experience behind your belt, significantly more than I do, And I don't think i'd ever mix iguanas and frogs of any kind.
Im not telling you you can't mix species, cause i've seen it done, but just cause it worked once does not mean it will work again. I would advise you to leave them each in there own tank, especially if there already doing okay.
I think the only way i'd make a multispecies tank, is if I were to mix something fully aquatic (fish), with something fully terrestrial, and something fully arboreal, all close enough in size to not think of each other as food, a match in temperature and humidity requirements, and with an enclosure big enough for them to all get away from each other (and I dont mean big as in a 200 gallon tank, i mean big as in a full bedroom converted to a enclosure.) even then, it would be tough.
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 I helped move the meter!   03-20-2008, 03:08 AM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

Okay,, that is an absolute no no. First of all you are talking about a fish tank, so in all actuality you do not have a tank big enough for the iguana, let alone a frog. If the iguana is young and lets say you have a 55 gallon or even 70 gallon, that might last you 6 months, maybe a year. With the proper diet and care, iguanas can grow up to 6 feet snout to tail length.
I am assuming you are going under the assumption that iguanas are herbivores, is the reason that you think the frog will hide during the day and the iguana wont care. Wrong,, iguanas are VERY TERRITORIAL animals and have been known to kill cagemates and sometimes eat them just because they do not want to deal with them. An iguana needs to be the king of his or her own castle without the added stress of anything in the cage. Iguanas do have a very good sense of smell, so the idea that the frog will just hide and the iguana will not find it, is not going to work, they can and they will find it, and they WILL KILL IT.
Also the crickets and the bugs in the tank to feed the frog are horrible for the iguana,, yes the iguana will eat them, sometimes because they want to, other times because they are annoyed with it and eating it is the easiest way to get it out of their house. This will in the end cause the iguana to have kidney/renal failure, as their bodies are not built to digest animal protein, that type of death is very painful and lengthy. It is heartbreaking to witness.
I could go on with a million more reasons as to why this wont work out, but others will chime in here and pretty much say the same thing.
I do understand where your question is coming from, as all of us probably dream of having our own ecosystem, but in actuality, there probably is not one of us on here that has the space to do it where the animals could co exist safely (I am talking an acre or two)
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 I helped move the meter!   03-20-2008, 08:43 AM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

This will only create one thing, dead frogs. (For all the reasons the other users suggested).

And see my sig. Don't do it because you think it would be "cool"
Don't do it because that's what's best for both animals.
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03-20-2008, 08:54 AM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

Quote:
Are there any reasons other than this maxim in particular that it wouldn't be a good idea
The reason its a "maxim" is exactly because its NOT a good idea!
As stated this is trouble waiting to happen. Iguanas are very intolerant of anything in "their" space!
I knew a keeper in Florida who had a problem with the local wild green anoles coming into his outside iguana enclosure. the iguana would vigorously chase them down and eat them!
Not only was this very rough on the anoles its was a dietary nightmare for the iguana!
Successful multi species environments are usually very large, zoo type enclosures with ample room for all the inhabitants, which by the way should come from the same area of the world!
In even considering a multi species tank the first consideration is to not include animals that would compete for the same space in the enclosure. Tree frogs and iguanas would not fit in this scenario.
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 I helped move the meter!   03-20-2008, 09:55 AM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

I'm hoping that you will listen to everything everyone has said. It really would not be a good idea.
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03-20-2008, 01:04 PM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

Ouch, OK.

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 I helped move the meter!   03-20-2008, 01:29 PM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

Not "ouch." Everyone here just wants you, your iguana, and your frogs to be happy and as stress-free as possible!
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 I helped move the meter!   03-20-2008, 01:56 PM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

We really aren't trying to be mean or hurtful, just want what is best for you and your animals. Some of us have very strong opinions and are very much so animal advocates, so we sometimes can come off a bit strong when we see something that is not in the best interest of the animals. Sorry if we offended you but really I think we were all just trying to get across to you just how bad of an idea mixing an iguana and frogs would be....
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03-20-2008, 02:16 PM
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Re: Iguanas Plus Frogs

No Problem. I wouldn't want to put the animals in any danger, which is why I asked. Has anyone tried a multi-species tank with dividers? Or does the sight of each other present too much stress as well? Not necessarily the iguana and frogs, just wondering if anyone has tried this with success or failure.

 


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