Buying Iguana poo

Steve · #1 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 12:05 PM

As I now have my new Iggy I have been reading up as much as I can from as many different places as possible and I stumbled across this:

A fairly recent discovery has provided a probable explanation for the premature deaths of young iguanas despite apparently adequate diets. In the wild, young iguanas obtain needed intestinal bacteria and protozoa by eating the feces of adult iguanas. The microorganisms acquired this way are essential for digestion of plant material. Baby iguanas are not born with these microbes, so young iguanas reared in captivity never acquire them.

So feel free to send me a bag of Iggy poo anytime

smart275 · #2 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 12:07 PM

would it be the same for CWD they are kind of the same arnt they?

Steve · #3 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 12:12 PM

I don't think so But it makes you think. My CWD is 3 years old But we have a 16 year old one at college and hes CB. Depending on how old and how credible the discovery is they might even have a supplement for it who knows?

smart275 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 12:14 PM

you can imagine it now in all the local pet shops there is a big tub of iggy poo in the supliments part lol

its mad lol but if it helps them nothing is too crazy

DeanThorpe · #5 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 02:27 PM

lol
its just like the germs all around us build up our imunity...

I Have seen reference to this in many many places, mainly its the baby iggys who hang out low in the trees get to eat the poop of the older iguanas higher up in the trees... and the bacteria in it does give them certain imunities and the like...

I didnt realsie it was a necesary [in captivity] thing related to digesting fresh clean plant matter though lol

If your after iggy poop...ur gona need to get wild caught adult iggy poop... which may be more difficult lol

Ally · #6 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 02:29 PM

Must admit, I've read the same about baby Iggies...

Steve · #7 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 03:03 PM

Dont worry guys im not going to be buying it anytime soon

Just thought it was an interesting fact.

DeanThorpe · #8 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 03:07 PM

it is indeed interesting lol.
I do find it very hard to swallow that they think the lack of this is the reason for many deaths in captives though.

nicky · #9 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 03:13 PM

i'd offer you my fella's but i'm afraid he only ever poo's in his water bowl, little bugger thought i'd give him a mini swimming pool at bottom of enclosure and it's ended up just being the loo......(at least he's easy to clean lol.0

Ssthisto · #10 (**permalink**) 23-10-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanThorpe

it is indeed interesting lol.
I do find it very hard to swallow that they think the lack of this is the reason for many deaths in captives though.

Keep in mind that herbivorous mammals actually get a dose of the necessary gut flora from their mother's milk - that's why a baby horse or cow needs to nurse from mum and get colostrum from her. For that matter, baby horses also eat their mother's poo for the same reason.

I wouldn't be surprised if iguanas DO need some sort of gut flora introducing to help them digest their food...

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