Post by miamiferret2 on Jan 4, 2011 16:26:46 GMT -5
i wouldn't get one as a pet. we see huge ones (about 4 to 5 feet tail included) in our backyard all the time. they don't mess with you if you leave them alone. some of those larger ones will take your finger right off if you mess with them. i have known people that have had them as pets. actually they are not native to florida. the ones that we see in the wild are descendants of iguana pets that have gotten loose or their owners dump them into the wild when they get too big and become hard to care for. another reason that they are out and about is because in 1992 hurricane andrew destroyed a rather large reptile breeding facility in the everglades. as a result, we now have a big problem with bull python snakes and after andrew the iguana population went up significantly.
when they are young it is easier to handle them and keep them as pets because they are small. if you handle them when they are young they are alot calmer and nicer. but if you get a wild one it will be a pain and it will bite you all the time. and they do grow to the point where it is difficult to keep them.
i will tell you that they poop alot and their poop smells awful because i've found iguana droppings in our yard and unfortunately our border collie took it upon himself to rub the iguana poop on his face and ears. i guess it is a wolf hunting instinct. anyway, i wanted to kill him. it was an awful smell. so i wouldn't get one but that's just me.
when they are young it is easier to handle them and keep them as pets because they are small. if you handle them when they are young they are alot calmer and nicer. but if you get a wild one it will be a pain and it will bite you all the time. and they do grow to the point where it is difficult to keep them.
i will tell you that they poop alot and their poop smells awful because i've found iguana droppings in our yard and unfortunately our border collie took it upon himself to rub the iguana poop on his face and ears. i guess it is a wolf hunting instinct. anyway, i wanted to kill him. it was an awful smell. so i wouldn't get one but that's just me.