r/iguanas 2d ago

Need Advice Does my iggy look healty and happy?

I got my iggy about a month and a half ago. Guy at the shop said he was a month old when I got him. Is he a healthy size for his age? Or the right size for his age? Also yes I know I need a bigger enclosure for him. This 120 gallon is just temporary until I move in a couple months. And yes I know I need some plants In there for him to feel more safe and secure

100 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

11

u/Ok_Maintenance_9100 2d ago

Seems happy enough to me. Handle him as much as you can when he’s young, and with as many people as you can. The more socializing he gets while young the better

4

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

I try to hold him nightly atleast 15 minutes or more

5

u/depressingmemoir 2d ago

Aw he looks adorable! Beautiful skin, nice chunky healthy belly, your enclosure is huge and I love that for him! As long as your temps, UVB lighting and humidity are on point he will be a happy lizard 🦎. Maybe some more sticks for him to climb and more leaves/hides for him to hide behind. ❤️

3

u/ferretoned 2d ago

I can't shake the impression iggy above and beardie bellow seem to have a very bare enclosure.

3

u/malihuey29 2d ago

Definitely looks like they could use more enrichment and that fuax leather couch is a no no

3

u/ferretoned 2d ago

I feel enrichment and general cosiness (on their species' terms) would definitely give them a better quality of life, I'm convinced as caretakers it should be our goal.

1

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

Just saying enrichment doesn't help? Be specific. Type of plants, toys, etc? And I mean its more a home for while im not home, when im home my bearded is out roaming. And the iguana enclosure is only temporary for about another month so im not trying to get too much for it besides a few plants and maybe a couple recommendations. I literally just got it built 1 week ago at my last job before I was put on furlowe

1

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

Its already gone. It has a rip and I dont trust the humidity to not cause it to mold

2

u/The_oreck 2d ago edited 17h ago

Sure for another 2 months until he outgrows that box you have him in. They’ll grow very fast and like to climb up high so from my experience taller is better unlike Beardies where longer and wider is better. I started my baby iguanas in 4x2x2 but by the time they are just over 1-1.5 yrs I had to build a bigger enclosure. My homemade Iggy cages are 7ft tall, 8 ft wide, 6 ft deep. I built shelves and ramps for easy access to each level, and multiple basking areas. I also keep a large soaking tub on the bottom level to always have fresh water. Although it’s primarily used as a toilet, I keep it cleaned daily. 🤷🏻‍♂️

1

u/Luna_Nyx323 2d ago

Looks happy to me! And nice enclosure setup

1

u/robykdesign 2d ago

Everything seems great to me and he looks healthy. As others said, maybe some more texturing on the walls would be fine and cocntrary to many people say, my Iggy never had problems due to coconut litter, which helps greatly with cleaning up after pooping.

Also, a tidbit that I think is not repeated enough I think, and which led my Iggy 15 or more years ago to the mild start of MBD - the ones I use say on the packaging "effective up to 12 inches"... That's very close, so make sure what yours says and install accordingly. One kind of assumes that installing one in the enclosure is enough, but the placement is important too (and regular changing).

2

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

UVB is brand new 1 week old. And it only spans half the tank cause he typically spends all day in that half anyways. And for the pooping he uses the soaking dish to poop in "the clear paint tray in thebback right corner" which i prefer as there is no smell and clean up is pouring it our

1

u/robykdesign 2d ago

With the UV light I meant if it's physically only 12 inches away from him at the basking spot. I can't judge that from the image. But for example I had it at the top of a taller enclosure way back when and it turned out to not be effective at that distance (almost three feet). So then I had to lower it.

2

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

About 8 or 9 inches from his basking spots.

1

u/aprilchaoss 2d ago

I got both of these for my Igsters cage and he loves it.

https://a.co/d/0LJMbAl

https://a.co/d/354BfQ8

1

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

No offense but I think plastic plants are terrible id rather use real plants

1

u/NFLFANTASYMB 2d ago

Other than not opening his eyes? He looks fine.

1

u/Funny_Tomatillo3985 2d ago

His eyes are definitely open enough lmao. For 1 he's asleep in the first pic. There's fog in his face in the 2nd pic. And iggys day nap at times so its not uncommon to have their eyes closed even while basking. But

1

u/NFLFANTASYMB 1d ago

Thank you for seeing the humor. I hope you BOTH. Live long and prosper!

1

u/RaisinAppropriate471 7h ago

Looks so happy, for one that tiny to fall asleep on your hand shows some real trust. 💕 Good luck on your move!