IS YOUR IGUANA HAPPY?

uExpress, September, 2007 by Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori

By Gina Spadafori

Universal Press Syndicate

For years those who care about iguanas have been struggling against ignorance and the toll it takes on these reptilian pets.

Iguanas are relatively inexpensive pets to acquire, which makes them popular, especially for children. But caring for them properly is neither cheap nor easy -- a point too often not realized at the time of purchase -- and there the problems start.

The cost of a proper setup can set a new iguana owner back a lot more than the price of the pet itself, but incorrect housing can kill an iguana. So too can an incorrect diet.

The good news is that the fashion in reptilian pets seems to be changing, with more people migrating toward pets that are easier to care for, such as the bearded dragon or other mild-mannered reptiles. (From 2002 to 2006, iguana popularity fell from 17 percent to 12 ...