Acushnet Reptile Passes After Decades-Long Battle With Disease

Alf, the infamous red iguana that called an Acushnet pet store home for decades, has passed away – but not without leaving her mark on the community.

If you have never met an iguana, then you may not understand their majestic and calming demeanor. However, those that met Alf over at Cold Blooded Pets in Acushnet will tell you just how amazing this reptile truly was.

Alf was surrendered to Cold Blooded back in 2008, and while her age was not certain, she just about spend the better part of 20 years in a home where she was cared for and loved.

Alf suffered from metabolic bone disease, similar to that of osteoporosis in humans, where the bones just aren't getting enough calcium.

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Hillary Chandanais, who owns Cold Blooded Pets with her husband Nick, said Alf was special in that she allowed them to educate people on how to properly handle and care for reptiles such as iguanas or the very popular bearded dragons.

"We used her a lot to teach people about proper care and what can happen if you don't provide the right things for them, as it's very common in reptiles," Hillary said.

Alf's daily life was pretty chill otherwise, between eating bananas and loving other pets.

"Alf was regularly seen poking her head up over the window graphic, looking out onto the street," Hillary said.

Alf was a local legend in the reptile sense and touched the lives of more humans than most other reptiles, and she will be sorely missed.

Make sure you stop in and visit our friends Hillary and Nick over at Cold Blooded Pets on Main Street in Acushnet. Maybe your next pet will be one of their amazing reptiles.