Unusual pets

The Blue Print staff is collecting information for a story about unusual pets owned by students and staff at Yosemite High School. Anyone who would be willing to share their story and a photograph of their pet is asked to call Earlene Ward, ext. 338, and leave a message. A reporter from the Blue Print will return the call. Pictured at left, is Joe, a three-year-old iguana owned by Ryan Brazil, a junior at YHS. Joe is a green aguanid, species iguana iguana.

When Brazil got Joe he was four to five inches long; today he measures five feet-11 inches from the tip of his tail to his nose; he weighs between 15 and 20 pounds. Brazil says his pet lives in their house, in fact, he has his own room. He is allowed to roam around in the house and can go outside if someone is with him. Usually when he is outside he wears a cat-like harness. Brazil says they really have to watch for hawks when Joe is outside because they would kill him. They have to be careful that they keep closet doors closed because Joe likes to get inside and climb around. He eats cherries (he spits out the pits), squash, lettuce and radish tops. About once a month he eats African mealworms for protein. Brazil carries him around "very carefully" because of his claws.