free range iguanas?

[remsin76]

anyone knoww hat it means to be free range? i think it means that the iguana is not to be kept in a cage and runs around ur house like a dog or cat. is it true that an iguana can be trained to use the litter box too? Thanks

[Hamster of Borg]

I had an iguana many, many moons ago that was free range, and would go on newspaper I laid on the floor. I don't know how you would go about training one to do so - mine just did it... but it is possible. :)

Ham

[reptile gallery]

Hey...
Don't know about the litter box, but I had a large male for many years that would only go in water, so I set up a 'kiddie pool' with a ramp, gave him a room with 4 foot 5.0 14" above his heat and he lived out his years.
Very misunderstood animals with special needs.

[remsin76]

i was thinking about getting an iguana one of these days cause i've already had cats and dogs and i think an iguana running aroud the house and being smart enough to go into his cage when he needed would be a nice change.

[Samba]

I agree with the above posts. 'Free Range' typically means the iguana doesn't have an enclosure to confine it. Mine can be considered free ranging since he has complete access to my bedroom. The litter training question is an interesting one. I used to have a very prim, proper and prissy female named Cloe that would only use a litter box. She would even refuse to do her business outdoors. She was a rescue in Puerto Rico and I knew nothing of her previous owners, but she was quite the spoiled one! I never questioned her litterbox use, but rather saw it as a blessing. I would have no idea on how to effectively train them to do this!

[Colonel SB]

Thats what free range means but I must point out it is very dangerous to both the iguana and your house. If you do not properly secure the room you Ig will get in a lot of trouble.

[eyespy]

Originally posted by Colonel SB
Thats what free range means but I must point out it is very dangerous to both the iguana and your house. If you do not properly secure the room you Ig will get in a lot of trouble.

I second that! I do have a free-roaming ig and she is active and curious. Many of my things have been boxed away!

Plus you have to be willing to live in high humidity for the sake of the animal unless s/he will soak in a bath for about an hour daily. My Gizmo will only tolerate about 20 minutes of soaking and was starting to show signs of dehydration so I now keep my home at about 75% humidity.

[Samba]

Iggy (as he was named by his previous owner), had MBD when I was called to pick him up. Sad to say, but his feet and toes are mangled, which makes climbing difficult for him. I'm not saying I like him this way, but it does make it harder for him to be destructive.

My room (er, his room, I mean!) is very secure. My Igger's and I like to shower together, sleep together, take long walks in the park together, etc. and No, this is not a joke! And we have a humidifier in our room, at about 80% (we live in NM so lot's of dry heat).

I wouldn't recommend 'Free Ranging' unless you are very cautious, are bonded with the animal, and can take the destruction to your curtains, carpets, etc. Having one of these guys loose is like having to watch a two year old child all day. The get into things, fall off things, eat things of the floor, etc. They should be crated when you aren't around to supervise them!

I prefer having my Ig free ranging, but no doubt, this isn't for everyone!