I have previously kept five green iguanas over a period of about 10-12 years. All were adults when I got them, and I kept all until they eventually died of natural causes/old age. So, I do have experience with the species. I have also kept CWD and Desert Iggies.

However, I haven't kept lizards for the last 5/6 years. I started keeping snakes at the beginning of the year and now have quite a collection. However, I have recently started thinking about getting another lizard, but have been put off by the insect feeding, as we live miles from the nearest decent rep shop. Also, obviously the set ups are much larger for lizards than snakes, and although we have room here, my husband is in the army, so if we move, which might be early next year, or might be in six years, we can't guarantee we'll always have masses of room.

Anyway, today I popped over to the rep shop, was chatting to the guy and aske dif he could ever get captive bred Desert Iggies in, as I was toying with the idea of getting them again. He knows I have kept Green Igs before and said he had a baby in that he had taken from someone who was moving abroad, in a 'job lot'. he said it would only go to an experienced keeper, as he won't normally sell them, and offered it to me at a good price, (virtually nothing) saying he'd keep it until I got a set up sorted if I wanted him to. I almost agreed on the spot, but decided to be sensible and give it more thought.

I am very tempted, it was a stunning example, but I have never looked after or had a baby ig before. It was tiny, about 3" long in the body. I have a spare 3ft viv, or a 2 1/2 foot if I move things about, if I set that up with lots of branches, plants, UV, ceramic etc, would that be suitable for such a small baby? How long am I looking at it lasting, 6-12 months? (I am aware they are an arboreal species so need a taller viv eventually/before too long)

How long before I can expect it to reach adult size? And what is the minimum size requirements for an adult iggy, assuming it has access to the living room int he evenings? Our adults were kept in a huge garage conversion with pond etc, and I it won't be possible to provide that sort of set up again by the time the iggy reaches adulthood.

Sorry if these qquestions seem basic, it is a while since I have had to think about these things! I do have a copy of 'The Green Iguana Manual' somewhere, so I'll dig it out and have a read.

I'm so tempted, but just not sure if I can provide what a full grown iggy needs. I do not want to take it on unless I am certain I can provide for it for it's entire life.

Thanks.

i have some 3and 4 year old iggys that are 5ft, , the vivs are 6x6x3 with full uv, ceramic heaters and spot lights. .but if you had adult iggys in the past i would have thought you would know the basic sizes for adult iggys

Thanks, it was just quite a while ago, and I have forgotten a lot. I was also unsure about at what age they'd achieve adult size, but I was guessing 3-4 ish.

We had a garage sized enclosure before, but I wouldn't be able to do that again. 6 x 6 x 3 is doable, or maybe even slightyl bigger, I think.

Thanks again. Any pics of your iggs?

i have pics on my phone we got an adult pair of red iggys, a adult pair of green iggys. spiny tailed iggy. dessert iggys now

if its 3inch body lengh i wouldnt both with 1 that small and i know loads of places thta sell baby green iggys for£15

Thanks. For what reason not bother with it?

I didn't think many shops still sold them any more to be honest, although I only use a few shops these days, and am never really looking for them.

I probably wouldn't have thought abou tit at the moment if they hadn't offered it to me, but the price is irrelvant, I wouldn't get an animal purely because it was a 'bargain'. Other than which, the set up would cost a fair bit.

I have a male green igg he has just turned 3 and body length is about 2ft including his tail he is about 5.5 ft long, and he is nowhere near adult size yet. The question you should be asking yourself is do I have enough space and time for a green iguana? Personally never buy a green iguana if you are serious about taking on the responsibility for a green igg then look into rescue centers there are plenty around that aim to find new homes for these animals find someone local who has adults and go and see them look at the set up and ask as many questions as possible. Bit of info here the set up for my male is as follows:

6ft high by 5ft wide by 3ft deep viv, loads of branches heat is provided by a exoterra radiator and living earth ceramic bulb each is contolled independantly by 2 pulse stats to create a thermal gradient 4ft wide uv and reflector on a 8 hour dimming timer. All together I speant roughly £450 on the set up alone. Not trying to dissuade you from getting one trust me I think they are the most rewarding of all lizards but I see to many neglected Iguanas to not let people know what they are getting into by buying a green Iguana. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

I have a male green igg he has just turned 3 and body length is about 2ft including his tail he is about 5.5 ft long, and he is nowhere near adult size yet. The question you should be asking yourself is do I have enough space and time for a green iguana? Personally never buy a green iguana if you are serious about taking on the responsibility for a green igg then look into rescue centers there are plenty around that aim to find new homes for these animals find someone local who has adults and go and see them look at the set up and ask as many questions as possible. Bit of info here the set up for my male is as follows:

6ft high by 5ft wide by 3ft deep viv, loads of branches heat is provided by a exoterra radiator and living earth ceramic bulb each is contolled independantly by 2 pulse stats to create a thermal gradient 4ft wide uv and reflector on a 8 hour dimming timer. All together I speant roughly £450 on the set up alone. Not trying to dissuade you from getting one trust me I think they are the most rewarding of all lizards but I see to many neglected Iguanas to not let people know what they are getting into by buying a green Iguana. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks. I do not know of any rescues that deal with reptiles in Ireland. Also, having had rescues before (rescue iggs are all I have ever owned) I have to admit to liking the idea of being able to have a baby. If it turns into an aggressibe adult male, that is fine, but I'd prefer not to start out with one, I have been there, done that, got the scars to prove it...

This shop do not sell Green Iggies. The shop owner took it in cos he was offered it, and he felt that he could at least attempt to find it a decent home insteed of it ending up in a pet shop.

I do have enough time, and finances, that is not in question, but space i spotentially an issue, and the one I am most concerned about.

little iggys like that can look ok but can be in bad shape if they cf and wc and when an iggys shows signes of illness it is usually very ill id go for 1 abit bigger rachel biggs in ireland rescues and rehomes iggys and that would very much recomed her