Moon's Graden

by **Steve Fo** » Wed, 13 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

>Now I guess the question is, should I cool down the entire tank? just
>the cool side? just the warm side? I am really at a loss here... I
>keep pulling him out and in an hour or so, he's right back where we
>started.

My perry used to do that. I used a few well-placed rocks to hold the
carpet down. He still sometimes "digs". My enclosure has a pretty good
temp gradient, so I doubt that is the issue.

Anyway, I don't think your tank's temp gradient is wide enuff. You should
probably get a bigger enclosure and only heat one side. It's OK for most
of that heat to be radient (i.e. the air temp doesn't have to be 88 F so
long as there's enough I.R. coming off your basking light). My perry
probably spends a good 30% of his time on the cold side of the enclosure.
--

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by **Richard Gro** » Wed, 13 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> My iguana (4" SVL, not sure on age) has indoor/outdoor carpet in his
> cage and until now I've had no problems with it. A couple of days ago,
> he started hiding underneath it. Yesterday he spent almost all day
> under there (I wasn't home to get him out) and I've pulled him out 3
> times already today. I don't know why he's doing this although he *may*
> be trying to cool off. His tank ranges from 80F to about 98F but he
> always "digs in" on the cool side. The problem is that the glass can be
> kind of cool even when the air temp is warm and I'm afraid he's gonna
> get too cold down there. Also, if he's under the carpet, he's not
> getting as much UV as he should be.

> Now I guess the question is, should I cool down the entire tank? just
> the cool side? just the warm side? I am really at a loss here... I
> keep pulling him out and in an hour or so, he's right back where we
> started.

> Steph and Yippee--would you leave me alone? I like it down here.
> --
> Stephanie Wilson

> Center for Academic Computing
> Pennsylvania State University

Stephanie,
Do you have a place in the enclosure for him to hide other than
underneath the carpet? He might just be doing what it takes to get some
privacy. Also, do you have his lights on a time so his enclosure is dark
at night? If it's light all the time he may be looking for some dark
place to sleep.

Just some thoughts.

Rich

by **Stephanie Wilso** » Wed, 13 Nov 1996 04:00:00

My iguana (4" SVL, not sure on age) has indoor/outdoor carpet in his
cage and until now I've had no problems with it. A couple of days ago,
he started hiding underneath it. Yesterday he spent almost all day
under there (I wasn't home to get him out) and I've pulled him out 3
times already today. I don't know why he's doing this although he *may*
be trying to cool off. His tank ranges from 80F to about 98F but he
always "digs in" on the cool side. The problem is that the glass can be
kind of cool even when the air temp is warm and I'm afraid he's gonna
get too cold down there. Also, if he's under the carpet, he's not
getting as much UV as he should be.

Now I guess the question is, should I cool down the entire tank? just
the cool side? just the warm side? I am really at a loss here... I
keep pulling him out and in an hour or so, he's right back where we
started.

Steph and Yippee--would you leave me alone? I like it down here.
--
Stephanie Wilson

Center for Academic Computing
Pennsylvania State University

by **RSC Geolog** » Wed, 13 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> My iguana (4" SVL, not sure on age) has indoor/outdoor carpet in his
> cage and until now I've had no problems with it. A couple of days ago,
> he started hiding underneath it.

Does he have a hide box? It sounds like he's stressing and wants some
privacy.

I wouldn't worry about him getting too cool in the setup you
described. As long as he has access to warmth he should use it (unless
he is REALLY stressed out). As long as he is eating and pooping OK I
wouldn't worry about him not getting warm enough.

Phil Hughes

by **kirby smith** » Thu, 14 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> A couple of days ago,
> he started hiding underneath it. Yesterday he spent almost all day
> under there

For what it's worth: Our ig at about age 6 to 8 months went through a
"stage" of hiding under the towels on the bottom of his glass palace.
After a few weeks of this he went on to some new phase...don't recall
exactly what is was but do remember being amused at the time.

by **iguanas..** » Thu, 14 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Just my unimportant bit of info....

Sometimes my ig likes to hide in his fake plants, and sometimes he likes
to hide in his hidebox. He does this because he needs to cool down. I'm
sure if there wasn't a fake plant, a hidebox, a log, and a waterbowl, he
would feel tempted to seek shade from underneath the substrate.

He also likes his privacy, and he also likes to hide from *the bIg guy.*
;)

Saraaaaaa

by **Richard Schroede** » Tue, 19 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> My iguana (4" SVL, not sure on age) has indoor/outdoor carpet in his
> cage and until now I've had no problems with it. A couple of days ago,
> he started hiding underneath it. Yesterday he spent almost all day
> under there (I wasn't home to get him out) and I've pulled him out 3
> times already today. I don't know why he's doing this although he *may*
> be trying to cool off. His tank ranges from 80F to about 98F but he
> always "digs in" on the cool side. The problem is that the glass can be
> kind of cool even when the air temp is warm and I'm afraid he's gonna
> get too cold down there. Also, if he's under the carpet, he's not
> getting as much UV as he should be.

> Now I guess the question is, should I cool down the entire tank? just
> the cool side? just the warm side? I am really at a loss here... I
> keep pulling him out and in an hour or so, he's right back where we
> started.

> Steph and Yippee--would you leave me alone? I like it down here.
> --
> Stephanie Wilson

> Center for Academic Computing
> Pennsylvania State University

Definitely do not cool the cage down, the 80 to 98
degree temperature range is perfect, and if you
change it I can guarantee that you will have
digestive related problems. Reptiles do not always
know what is best for them. Unfortunately reptiles
do like to hide (particularly baby ones) and
they feel more secure in tight, dark places. Some
species of reptiles and individuals within a
species are more reclusive then others.
Unfortunately again, once they find these places
and learn how to get under things such as carpets
you have an almost impossible time keeping them
out. You need to fasten down the carpet by either
putting heavy decorative things around the edges,
or building some sort of frame to press down around
the edges. Since the Iguana may have a security
problem you may (to keep its stress level down)
also want to supply it with a hide box for now. As
it gets bigger and older, and as you hold it more
and it gets use to you, it will probably use the
hide box less and less and you will probably
eventually reach a point where it may not need it
any more. Good luck.......Rich

by **Stephanie Wilso** » Tue, 19 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

> Unfortunately again, once they find these places
> and learn how to get under things such as carpets
> you have an almost impossible time keeping them
> out. You need to fasten down the carpet by either
> putting heavy decorative things around the edges,
> or building some sort of frame to press down around
> the edges.

I can do this... i was also wondering about the possibility of using
some type of adhesive to keep the carpet down. Any ideas? It should be
something that can release so I can clean the carpet. I was thinking
velcro around the edges but I don't know if he'll be able to get through
it.

Quote:

> Since the Iguana may have a security
> problem you may (to keep its stress level down)
> also want to supply it with a hide box for now. As
> it gets bigger and older, and as you hold it more
> and it gets use to you, it will probably use the
> hide box less and less and you will probably
> eventually reach a point where it may not need it
> any more. Good luck.......Rich

He's got two hide boxes (one on warm side and one on cool side) but
never uses them... maybe once I get the carpet secured, he'll realize
that he can hide just as easily in them as under the carpet. Thanks for
everybody's advice. I appreciate it even if Yippee doesn't.

Steph and Yippee--You're gonna take away my favorite hiding place? :(
--
Stephanie Wilson

Center for Academic Computing
Pennsylvania State University

by **vzcan..** » Sat, 23 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Hi Steph! It sounds like Yippee is only hiding! He may be stressed by a
public exposure! These guys have a natural instinct to camouflage (sp?)
themselves. If he isn't using his hide boxes, try this little tip:

Cut many strips of dark green fabric, or garbage bags and tie the strips
to the top of the cage so they create thick bushy type coverage...make
sure the strips hang right to the floor of the cage. This should relieve
his need to hide and you can still see that he gets adequate lighting and
heat. Gradually remove a few strips at a time from the cage. By thinning
his "forest" slowly you are allowing him to become accustomed to a more
open envirionment. This really worked for a young Iggy I once had!

Vicki

by **Charles Clevela** » Mon, 25 Nov 1996 04:00:00

Quote:

>cage and until now I've had no problems with it. A couple of days ago,
>he started hiding underneath it. Yesterday he spent almost all day

Sounds like he may want a cooler temperature, or more likely, he
just wants a dark place. I noticed my old iguana, Norm, would
sometimes go into hiding and just relax in the darkness. I mean,
if you were in the sun all day every day, wouldn't you want a
cloudy day every once in a while? I also think it might be a
way to "let his defenses down". While he doesn't have anything
(probably) to fear on a day-to-day basis, I'm sure iguanas still
have instinctual survival tendencies that are always going. I would
lower the temperature a little and also get an old kitty litter
box, cut a door out of it and place it upside down in his tank.
This will give him a little hide-out without being too cold.
Hope it works out!

-Charlie

Moon's Graden

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding

Iguana hiding