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my daughter has a iguana, it seems alrigh
Sent to Pet Experts July 02 07:36 PM

my daughter has a iguana, it seems alright but i noticed today he seems to be losing his scales or something. There is brown patches on him, what should I do and what causes that? Thank You

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 2 7:50 PM (13 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hello,

Several weeks prior to shedding, an iguana's skin may appear dull and take on a gray or yellowish-gray cast. Unlike snakes, iguanas, and other lizards do not shed the skin over their entire surface at one time. White patches will appear where the skin loosens, just prior to being shed.

Male iguanas develop an orange to orange-red coloring as breeding season approaches. In some iguanas, the orange color may be diffuse over the entire body. In others, the orange can be concentrated in several areas including the dewlap, spikes, body, and legs. Female iguanas can also develop this orange coloration, though it is usually less intense.

Darker raised areas can also be a result of fungal infections.

Any color changes in your iguana, not related to breeding season or shedding, are an indication that your iguana may be ill and should be examined by a veterinarian


Reply
July 2 8:32 PM (41 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deborah's Post: could this problem be due to not being humidified
Answer
July 2 8:42 PM (9 minutes and 54 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
This could also be a consideration Does he have a pan of water in his cage? If not, this could help.

An iguana who is under severe stress will slowly turn from green to dark brown, then black. The color change will start first on its body and head, extending down its tail, legs and belly. The belly and sides may first go from green to yellow before finally going brown and black.

Edited by Two_Westies on July 2 2006 at 8:44 PM



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