PetSmart is a privately held American chain of pet superstores that sell pet products, services, and small pets. One of the leading pet store companies in North America. It has more than 1,650 stores in the United States of America, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1986 by Jim and Janice Dougherty under the name Pet Food Warehouse but changed to PetSmart in the year 1989 under new leadership. Let us know more detail about ‘Does PetSmart Sell Iguanas?’.
Does PetSmart Sell Iguanas?
PetSmart has the most significant line of pets and pet supplying inventories available both- in-store and online, but it has stopped selling iguanas. However, you may find Iguanas at Petco and other local pet stores.
Why Does PetSmart Not Sell Iguanas?
PetSmart did sell iguanas way back, but now you will not be able to see iguanas in its stores. The reason revolves around the “ethical concern,” and many customers also pleaded not to sell reptiles. But what are the ethical reasons that they stopped selling iguanas? First, according to PETA, there is a 75% chance of reptiles dying in human houses. Furthermore, reptiles are very subtle animals; they need special care, and most often, people buy them out of their immaturity and amusement.
It got observed that people who buy reptiles to keep them as their pets tend to spoil them completely. It is because reptiles need live prey, space, humidity, and heat to grow. As a result, iguanas or reptiles suffer from anxiety, depression, fear, and frustration when kept as pets.
Requirement Of Space
They are cold-blooded animals who need specialized care, they have different personalities, they want to live in an environment where they can enjoy jumping, borrowing, and swimming which requires ‘space’ and their owners are not available to provide so, they tend to live a life with sorrow and sadness.
It was found in many stores like PetSmart and Petco that the reptiles were confined in a very small space and denied basic amenities like food, water, proper space, temperature, and veterinary treatment. Iguanas, snakes, and lizards have died from malnutrition and prolonged illness. For instance, if you take a snake, many people purchase snakes only to realize that they can’t meet these animals’ extensive and expensive needs. As a result, many snakes are dumped each year or escape as a result of improper care.
It was found from the investigation that they were transported in plastic bottles which leads to their horrifying death. When the people found out about the reality, they stopped buying any kind of reptile from PetSmart and due to this reason and the investigation claimed by PETA, PetSmart has officially stopped selling Iguanas.
If Not PetSmart, Then What Stores Sell Iguanas?
You can find iguanas at Petco and on online websites such as backwater reptiles and underground reptiles. Also, interested ones can buy iguanas from their localized breeders. They sell it at reasonable prices as they claim, they do. Before really buying an animal, one should think of adopting, you can adopt an unwanted animal or iguana.
Although reptiles should not be kept as pets because it comes down to their survival, it cannot be denied they are available on the market openly. PetSmart does not sell them but let’s have a look at their availability, prices, and what precautions should one take before having them.
How Expensive Could Be An Iguana?
You can expect the price range to go from $20 to $600. The price can vary as there are different types of iguanas, so they would cost differently. Iguanas are one of the most exotic species, so if you are buying a hatchling iguana, then you can expect the range from $20 to $60 (minimum), red iguanas expect $40 to $50, blue iguana (blue axanthic iguana) $70 to $80, rhinoceros iguana, it is an expensive breed $00 to $600.
You can expect these prices on your purchase but be ready with extra expenses such as their foods, medicines, appropriate habitat, vitamins, minerals, adequate space, etc.
What Precautions Should Be Taken While Having An Iguana?
First and foremost, the ample space for the iguanas is likely to grow and crawl depending on their species. They are wild animals; the purchaser should keep the availability of space in mind.
The second thing is the veterinary treatment. One should have vet care in their proximity because iguanas always require veterinary treatments. The third can handle the extra expenses that come with having iguanas. Finally, you need to be sure of their good health and appropriate diet. Their diet is rich in healthy fruits and vegetables.
The last is their habitat. They require a certain amount of temperature around them to grow properly, so make sure to have heat patches and daytime heat sources to nourish them.
What Are The Alternatives Of Iguana Available At Petsmart?
You can find lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, chameleons, geckos, bearded dragons, etc. You can choose from these reptile findings. BUT you can also have varieties of frogs, spiders, scorpions, tarantulas are also available at PetSmart. And if you are wondering about who is the easiest reptile to keep, then the answer about be geckos, because they are affordable, do not require much maintenance, are amusing, and most importantly easy to handle.
The most prominent geckos are the leopard geckos, they tend to sell first out of all the other geckos. PetSmart provides every kind of accessory that is required by the Anglicans including their vitamins, minerals, reptile accessories, and other storage items.
Conclusion
The iguanas are not available in PetSmart and it’s visible why. But you can find your iguana in other stores as well. Reptiles need specialized care so make sure to provide all the requirements and think carefully before buying them. You can prefer Petco for buying the iguanas. Show love to your pets, all they need is love. Prioritize your needs and then make a decision.
