Suggestions Please

[Lori Jordan]

We are in the midst of redoing our Basement,We are not even close to being done.

Long story short we had a break in a little over a month in,The basement window was kicked in,As i am not down there every single day i did not notice a thing.

Numerous male cats were found,They were all Barn cats,I took them to the shelter,We caught 2 with a live trap,They were too timid to catch.

They had sprayed over everything we had to throw everything out,It was all ruined.

Point to my long winded story,When the basement is finished it is going to be our main living area.

My Husband wants to get a iguana,Something like that he wants to get a big encloser.

I know nothing on reptiles.I was just wondering if someone could help me choosing the right animal.I want something that does not smell.(I know you have to clean up after whatever i choose)

But with the kids and husband they are Lazy when it comes to our animals i do everything,And i love it i wouldnt want it any other way.

So any suggestions on what is easy to care for the better,My husband wants a big Iguana.They fasinate me i just want to care for whatever we get the right way.

This probably won't happen until June with the paste we are going at now i think it will take until then.

Thanks in Advance!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Iguanas are wonderful animals and I love having one as a pet. They are a great deal of work though and very expensive to care for. I wouldn't recommend them to most people. So many iguanas end up in rescues or die premature deaths because people don't realize just how much work they are.

If you decide you are truly interested in one as a pet let me know and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I'd also HIGHLY recommend getting the book- Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual . It's a wonderful book and the only book I'd recommend. Get it now and read it cover to cover.

You may want to consider is a bearded dragon. I honestly don't know much about them, but they seem to be an easier pet. They don't get near as large either (which is part of why iguanas are so expensive). Iguanas can also become rather aggressive (especially adult males) I don't think bearded dragons are aggressive the way iguanas can be.

[Freedom]

You need to consider the adult size.

My cousin's son brought home this cute little iguana. Four years later, it was 6 foot long! At that size, most people convert an entire closet for the iguana, if not an entire room. They LOVE to jump, and he could go up to the top of her entertainment center.

She gave the iggy to iguana rescue. He is now owned by a person who has a total of 5; the entire basement is devoted to them, and a large outdoor enclosure for their use in summer weather. He is one of the lucky ones, he got a good final home.

There ARE reptiles whose adult size is still in the inches - less than one foot. I would think you need to lean towards that type of pet!!!!

Just my thoughts.

[Lori Jordan]

You need to consider the adult size.

My cousin's son brought home this cute little iguana. Four years later, it was 6 foot long! At that size, most people convert an entire closet for the iguana, if not an entire room. They LOVE to jump, and he could go up to the top of her entertainment center.

She gave the iggy to iguana rescue. He is now owned by a person who has a total of 5; the entire basement is devoted to them, and a large outdoor enclosure for their use in summer weather. He is one of the lucky ones, he got a good final home.

There ARE reptiles whose adult size is still in the inches - less than one foot. I would think you need to lean towards that type of pet!!!!

Just my thoughts.

You maybe right i dont want something that big i was looking at Gechos,Money is not an issue,I just want something that is easy to care for.

And yes i have to do lots of research before deciding,I really know nothing about reptiles,I was looking at everything even frogs.

Before i decide i want to know everything about the animal we choose,I do not want to take a life of something i have no knowledge up so off to the Books!

[Chilli]

Everyone has warned you about certain characteristics of iguanas I was going to point out, so I won't repeat that. =D

What are you looking at in a reptile? One you can handle? Or more of an observation pet? I don't know the most about reptiles and such, but I do have some experiance (I helped rehome a gecko once and I currently am providing a home for a White's Tree Frog). There are SO many species of geckos and frogs(if thats what you're interrested in), so I'm sure you'll find something that suits you.

Good luck!

[CathyBogart]

Just a few I can suggest off the top of my head:

Leopard geckos: Small ( a foot long or under...usually unser a foot), don't climb glass, usually very easy to handle, and very easy care.

Crested geckos: about a foot long, they DO climb glass, they're also easy to handle. THere is a little more involved in their care than a leopard gecko but they're still pretty easy.

Bearded dragons: friendly, pretty easy to care for, though the setup can be pricey (I know you said money's no object, I'm just using that as a comparison to the other two)

If he really likes the LOOK of the iguanas, Chinese Water Dragons are similar looking but much smaller (I think they top out around three feet including tail) and generally friendly little guys. They still need a sizable enclosure, but not as large as an iggy.