Aug 22 2008
7 Steps to Keep Your Iguana Happy
Reptile Rescue is not for everyone. Although iguanas have become popular pets, their quality of life and their life span has suffered due to improper care. With proper attention to diet and habitat, and attention to the preparations listed below, an iguana and his owner can experience many years of companionship.
Step 1: Get informed. Consult a reptile expert, check out some reading material at your library (you can even start with Iguanas for Dummies) and search the web for more information about the responsibility of maintaining a healthy iguana.
Step 2: Clear a large space in your home. The ideal iguana enclosure should be approximately 6 feet tall. Seriously. Without the ability to explore, hide and sun itself, an iguana will become listless and ill. Young iguanas can be happy in a 55-gallon aquarium but will quickly outgrow such an enclosure. Iguanas grow to be very large!
Step 3: Purchase structures for your iguana to climb on and place branches, sticks, rocks, small trees and other climbing materials in the enclosure. You also need floor covering or substrate.
Step 4: Purchase food and water dishes. These should be shallow and not easy to tip over. You might need several water dishes as the iguana might begin to use one to eliminate waste. Iguanas are herbivores and you should plan on feeding yours a variety of fruits and vegetables. Plan on feeding your iguana daily, preferably in the morning.
Step 5: Purchase a small spray bottle that you will use to mist your iguana with several times a day. This will also add humidity to the environment.
Step 6: Lighting and Heating are crucial aspects of an iguana’s habitat. The enclosure needs to be at least 80 degrees at all times and should be lit with a full spectrum spotlight, which will mimic sunlight. You also need a basking spot that should be 90-95 degrees and can be achieved with a basking light. A reliable thermometer is a must.
Step 7: Cleanliness is an important factor in an iguana enclosure. Plan on purchasing materials to sterilize and disinfect everything in the habitat often and thoroughly. This includes the walls, dishes, branch materials, etc. Any soiled substrate should be removed immediately, as well as feces and other waste material.
As you can see, preparing for the arrival of an iguana can be a costly and time-consuming investment. The best thing you can do for your pet iguana is to educate yourself on the specialized care that it needs to live a long and healthy life.
About the Author: written by Jessica Taylor and provided by pet-super-store.com a pet site featuring aluminum dog crates, dog doors and dog beds.