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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU To ask my partner to sell his iguana?

111 replies

ihatecbeebies · 17/04/2011 12:42

My 4yr old DS and I are about to move in with my partner (his place is much bigger than ours so we chose his place over ours) but about 6 months ago he bought a 1 yr old iguana. Am I being unreasonable to ask him to sell the iguana before we move in as they grow to 6 foot, are very dangerous and this one certainly isn't tame, I am worried about the risk to my very curious DS.

OP posts:

grovel · 17/04/2011 14:03

Valhalla, I would die before giving up my dogs (flatcoat retriever and cocker). But if circumstances required me to give away my two miniature shetland ponies -to a good home- I wouldn't think twice about it (in terms of their welfare, mental stress etc. They wouldn't mind.).
It's a bit like the difference between getting rid of Frank Lampard and Winston Bogarde.

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 14:03

springlambkin, I'm wondering too but I also don't want to offend Iguana owners! :o

thefirstMrsDeVere · 17/04/2011 14:05

I will probably get moaned at by the people who have exotics and look after them beautifully but

I dont think anyone should own an Iguana or any sort of reptile/snake/exotic pet.

They are just not suitable house animals and are very, very rarely cared for adequately let alone well.

An iguana should have its own huge space, a perfect diet and perfect living temperature. These are things that are very difficult to provide unless you are an expert.

Your DP should never have got the thing in the first place. I wouldnt want to move in mainly because it would give me a headache to see the poor animal living in substandard conditions.

That is not to say your DP is cruel or neglectful, I just dont think these animals are meant to be pets.

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 14:06

Grovel PMSL.

I have been sitting here trying to be kind and not equate an Iguana with Wayne Rooney personally.

And failing.

Expensive, not attractive and a liability. :o

springlambkin · 17/04/2011 14:09

Just googled a pic - that's gonna give me nightmares now.

I'm quite disturbed that people let those things out in their gardens actually!

Itchywoolyjumper · 17/04/2011 14:11

I think you need to look at the timescales here, if your moving in was on the cards before your DP bought the iguana then I don't think YABU to ask him to rehome it as, in that case, it was pretty unreasonable of your DP to buy a pet that is so obviously not suited to life with small children.
If the iguana was there before you discussed moving in I would say YABU.
I'd be worried about salmonella as well, I remember hearing about a little boy who caught it when he swallowed iguana droppings on holiday.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents · 17/04/2011 14:11

Don't you get bored saying the same thing on every thread? Is there anyone on MN who doesn't know about your dogs and how anyone who rehomes an animal is purest evil blah blah blah.......

I tend to see children as more important than animals. A bizarre stance I realise, but I think I'll stick with it.

EggsOnLegs · 17/04/2011 14:13

yabu

grovel · 17/04/2011 14:13

Winter, are you a Gooner?

GypsyMoth · 17/04/2011 14:14

the child doesnt live there yet.....the iguana is a HUGE responsibility,op has a choice wether she lives there or not !!

and how bloody rude about another poster!!

Goblinchild · 17/04/2011 14:15

Wow, that's bitchy NITWOODT
We've all got our personal obsessions interests and tend to pop up on threads that concern them.
I think the OP is worried that if he has to make a choice, he might choose the lizard.

grovel · 17/04/2011 14:18

We're all missing the point here.
Has anyone asked the iguana if it wants a 4 year old moving in with it?
Well, have they?
Thought not.

EasterChickAndRabbitKurri · 17/04/2011 14:18

Totally agree with TheFirstMrsDeVere - I don't think these type of large essentially wild animals should be kept as pets, they need specialist care and I would assume huge amounts of space. Maybe a zoo would like it and it could have proper housing (or at least something slightly more similar to its natural environment).

blackeyeddog · 17/04/2011 14:22

Yanbu at all. In fact his pet sounds so gross I expect he is waiting for you to speak up and tell him to be rid as doesn't want to lose face and admit he is frightened of it himself.

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 14:23

"Don't you get bored saying the same thing on every thread?... blah blah"

No, Winter, but I get bored with arseholes very quickly. So much so that after the first couple of times of them being an arsehole I tend to act as if they just aren't there and ignore them in all future commnts on the subject in hand.

Anyway, OP, did your DP consider that you might move in when buying the Iggy? And Grovel, do you reckon the Special One will ever return?

Wamster · 17/04/2011 14:24

To be honest, ihatecbeebies, I think you are in a no-win situation here.
You will win short-term if he evicts iguana as that is what you want, but I think this may result in you losing long-term because a person who will give up a beloved pet without a second thought (is this what you want) will have no hesitation in getting rid of you and your child if it suits them. If he does give it a second thought, he won't be happy about giving up the pet. Bear this in mind. Loyalty to pets=loyalty to humans, I find.

thenightsky · 17/04/2011 14:25

YANBU - I wouldn't want to live with one after reading that link.

How the hell does your DP afford to keep his house at 30 - 35c all the time?? I couldn't live with that heat, coupled with the humidity quoted in that link.

grovel · 17/04/2011 14:26

No return for Jose.
It would not be good for Roman's manhood - so it won't happen IMO.
We might get Avram back though ........................

And now I've spoilt your week-end.

Other readers of this thread - Avram Grant looks like an iguana so this post is relevant. Just.

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 14:28

From what the OP's saying I believe that the Iggy is in a viv atm, thenightsky so it's not a room or house which is being heated to silly temperatiures.

But if it were, jeez, that would be intolerable.

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 14:29

I reckon you're right, Grovel... on both counts again!

carriedababi · 17/04/2011 14:30

yanbu, bloody silly people having reptiles as pets wtf is the point of that

of course it should be rehomed, as if the iguna gives a shit where it lives

probably just wants to be left alone

Bogeyface · 17/04/2011 14:30

The OP said that it will be in its own room soon, so I guess the temp will become an issue. Either the whole house will be like a sauna or, more likely I suspect, the iguana will be too cold.

Tbh, the more I read about these animals, the more I think it should be rehomed somewhere approriate for the animals sake as much as for any risk to the OP and her child. They really are not pets and certianly not suitable in a family home.

Wamster · 17/04/2011 14:33

Why don't you simply stay put and just see each other? A man who could discard a pet without feeling serious guilt would also do same to another human. Live apart and just see each other and hope iguana dies of natural causes would be the best strategy. Then move in before he gets chance to get another!

GypsyMoth · 17/04/2011 14:33

we do NOT want Avram back,please god,NO!!!!!

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 14:36

:o dragonfly. DITTO!!!

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