Iguanas/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions about the best types of lighting and heating sources. I also am very knowledgeable of metabolic bone disease, foods of which to comprise a balanced diet, growth rates, personality and decoding of iguana body language. I cannot provide any medical diagnoses, but can instruct you on the best home care in addition to a veterinarian's instructions. I can recommend when to seek professional medical advice.

Experience in the area

President and founder of Louisiana's only nonprofit iguana rescue mission and sanctuary called Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary. I am an iguana owner of over 5 years and specialize in the rehabilitation and rehoming of pet iguanas. I currently have 10 iguanas in my home all of which receive medical attention when needed, fresh food diets, freedom to roam, top quality sun-simulating lamps and playtime with other iggys. See my website at www.RaptorRescue.org for more info.

Organizations

Partnered with PETA, Resource for Iguana Care and Adoption, and Petsavers

Publications

Currently have article under review for publishing in the Shreveport Times; I am currently in works with ZooMed, a popular reptile supplies manufacturer, to revise their advertising on their popular reptile basking bulbs to alert customers that their bulb does not emit UVA and needs to be used in conjunction with a UVB source. I am also having a bill introduced next spring that aims to mandate that retail pet stores be required to distribute veterinarian-approved informational literature with the sale of any exotic animal.

Education/Credentials

No formal education in herpetology or veterinary medicine, all knowledgeability on this subject has been gained through personal research and years of hands-on experience with this animal; I am a military meteorologist.

Awards and Honors

Nothing formal as of yet.

Past/Present Clients

15 rescued iguanas since May...Currently, I house 10 iguanas in my home by the names of Trogdor, Isador, Balthor, Mr. Pop, Amy, Twizzle, Spunky, Baby, Puffy and Medina.

What do you like about this subject?

The ability to help people understand their iguana's needs better since the animal itself cannot speak. I feel I connect with iguanas and can decode their body language and behaviors fairly accurately. My passion in life is to help save iguanas from captivity-induced illnesses and death.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I wish to learn a lot more about breeding and also the medical side of iguana care, which I may pursue eventually.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Iguanas need to have 10-12 hours of exposure to UVA and UVB. Most reptile basking bulbs do not emit UVB and if your iguana does not have this wavelength of light, he/she cannot digest calcium and a calcium deficiency will result, making your iguana prone to fractures, stunt his/her growth, cause paralysis and even death.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Some people do not agree that humans should own exotic animals and a bill is currently in the works to make it illegal to import certain exotics (non-native species) into this country and across state lines. If this is what the future holds, we could see the end of the exotic pet trade industry and may be unable to keep our own exotics as pets lawfully. Are you in favor? Think of the animals.