
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 8, 1993                   TAG: 9307080460
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IGUANAS DON'T STAY SMALL AND CUTE

IN RESPONSE to the June 24 editorial entitled "New River's day of the iguana":

Before parents rush out to buy their children an iguana-starter kit, they should be aware of some facts about these animals. Iguanas need a precise combination of the right temperature, humidity, cage size and type of food in order to thrive and grow. For example, they need regular calcium supplements so that they will not develop crippling skeletal deformities.

While iguanas are usually sold when they are about 8 inches long, an adult male can reach a length of 6 feet, and females are only slightly smaller. An adult iguana can inflict a very painful bite, has long claws that scratch and can use its tail like a whip.

Anyone who is considering buying one should do some research to find out what conditions are necessary to successfully maintain these animals in captivity.

If parents are buying an iguana for their children because of the Jurassic Park hoopla, they would be better off buying them toy dinosaurs. Any pet, but especially an exotic pet, represents an enormous responsibility. We should not treat living creatures as throwaway-merchandise tie-ins to a popular movie. BONNIE BOWERS ROANOKE

by CNB