Blue headed iguana???

[DeanKoupe]

Hi all

I bought a 5 month old iguana yesterday, and the guy told me it is a blue headed iguana that is very rare.

It looks pretty much the same as the baby iguanas that I saw at the SOS reptile show today.

I'm thinking of swoping mine for one of the much smaller babies at the show.

Anyone with suggestions?

Thanks.
Dean

[Aaxel]

Any pics?

[imperial exotix]

Pictures will help allot, some iguanas are born with some blue on them, as they get older and shed the blue color fades away.

[DeanKoupe]

I swopped the iguana for a much smaller baby at the show yesterday, it also has the blue torquoise/blue hue around the head area and seems to have a much better temprament than the previous one.

A few guys that I spoke to at the show said that a blue headed iguana is a myth, and that you do get Green Iguana's with torquoise/blue hued heads which can eventually fade as they get older.

Another question I have is the lighting for the Iguana, I have a UVB 10.0 and a basking lamp for during the day, and a night glo lamp (purple light) for the night time... Is this sufficient?

Thanks.
Dean

[imperial exotix]

Your lighting sounds good but temperature and humidity also needs to be kept right.

[DeanKoupe]

What are the right temperatures for day and night? And my cage has screen mesh on top and both sides, with glass sliders on the front... what is a good way of keeping humidity levels right in this cage?

[Jamster]

It is not a myth. A friend of mind had an iguana called iggi and it was about 1.4 meters and bright green and black with a light blue head. It was Iguana iguana rhinolophus (dont know if spelling is right).

[Jamster]

They shouldnt rip you off though and say it fetches a higher price.

[DeanKoupe]

Oh well, the one I got looks identicle to the one I swopped, (I think even better looking) and I feel more comfortable starting off with a baby rather than a juvenile!

[Bushviper]

Search for info on iguana keeping and you will find lots of info. The basking spot should be above 32 degrees or else your iguana will eventually die.

[imperial exotix]

I personally don't belive in the "blue headed iguana" until it is genetically proven. I have seen many babie iggs with blue bodies and heads then they fade away with age.

As for the temps if you google green iguana care you will get allot of different care sheets and peoples views. I find that a good temp for iguanas are around 35 and if it gets to hot they will move lower down the branch. Concerning humidity, the levels of humidity will drop pretty fast because of the mesh. What you can try and do is place a heat mat under the water bowl( you should have one big enough for the igg to swim in) and mist him a couple times a day. It is important to mist the iggs them self as they can absorb water via they skin and in doing this you will be sure that your igg is happy!

Regards and best of luck
Aadil

[Jamster]

I dont think its a specific genetic morph, if you look at green iguanas as a whole there is a lot of variation.

[imperial exotix]

Thats with all reptiles, some are lighter in color and some are dark, some have more pattern some have less etc, etc...