Having an iguana rescue meant access to a lot of iguanas, just for the taking. But there was one type of iguana I really wanted that I could only find through buying: a hybrid Cayman Blue iguana. Only a hybrid, because it is illegal to own pure-bred blue iguanas. I wouldn’t want to take one out of its natural environment, anyway.
The story was that the two parental species, one Rock iguana and one Cayman Blue, had accidentally created the hybrids. Very fortuitous for the pet trade. Another version is the hybrids were made specifically for the pet trade.
Either way, I wanted one. I contacted a breeder and put my name on his list. Rock iguanas only lay a few eggs, so supply does not meet the demand. But I was lucky and was soon told I would be receiving one of the four hatchlings. I lived in NJ and the breeder lived in California, and he would send the baby iguana in an overnight express package. I prepared the hatchling’s enclosure. I was eager to meet my new family member.
The next day, no delivery. Okay, maybe he sent it second day delivery. But, the second day, still no delivery. I contacted the breeder and yes, the iguana had been sent overnight to the correct address. I contacted the postal service and yes, they had received the box, but had no idea where it was. I called a series of offices trying to track the whereabouts of the iguana. The box had been insured so we could file a claim, but I wanted my baby. I didn’t want the iguana to perish trapped inside a shipping box.
Every day I called. Every day they had no idea where the iguana was. I spoke to my friends who were employees in my town’s post office. They were equally upset by the missing package and would do everything they could to help. With each passing day, I grew more distressed and vowed I would never ship another animal.
Meanwhile the country was in the grip of snowstorms. Snow, ice and cold temperatures were making it one of the most dangerous Thanksgiving weekends in recent memory. My baby iguana was out there in it. On the eighth day I got a call from my post office friends. The box had arrived! It had been put in parcel post instead of express, although it was properly labeled. But what of the precious cargo? The box was quickly cut open and the body of a small rock iguana was revealed. The iguana didn’t move.
“Oh no, it’s dead,” said one of the postal workers.
“No, look at its eyes,” said the other.
Sure enough, Blue opened his eyes! I am happy to say that Blue, short for Lucky Blue Lazarus, completely recovered from his ordeal and today is a very large, easygoing rock iguana hybrid. I take him to schools and outreach programs to teach children and adults alike about reptiles.
A last note: Recently I had an iguana sent to me via USPS. The iguana traveled from New York to Arizona in less than 24 hours. I was very impressed by the care given to that iguana.
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