Iguana Care - What Is Important

Introduction

Iguanas are found in the forests of South and Central America.  They are wonderful adaptable creatures. They live on trees; deep inside the thick foliage and their places of habitation are close to sources of water.

Close to 30% of iguanas which are sold in pet stores are able to survive till they attain maturity.  This is due to the stress they have to undergo during transportation and also because of insufficient care and nourishment.  The ones which survive are rescued by agencies; some of them are left to their fate due to their large size, ferociousness and activity.  A good environment and proper diet and care would be of great help and they can be tamed into pets.

Housing Requirements

While buying a cage, be sure that you buy a cage much larger than required.   For a small iguana, you would need to buy a cage which is 3 feet in length and 1 ½ feet in width and 1 ½ feet in height.  The growth of an iguana is very fast in the first 3 years, so you need to buy or construct housing accordingly.

Temperature requirements

The cage should be made in such a way that your iguana is comfortable with the changes in the temperature.  Make sure you have placed thermometers so as to monitor the temperatures. Ideally the night time temperature should be maintained between 23.8 to 26.6 C.

Cage Furnishings

A good sized cage with plenty of warmth and lighting is ideal for a young iguana.  Make arrangements for some climbing areas.  If you place some real plants, the iguana would just trample it.  Real plants which are non toxic like philodendron, spider plants and pothos can be placed so that they do not cause harm to the iguana, even if eaten.   Make sure you create more green foliage with lot of leaves and branches, within the cage to make the iguana feel comfortable.

Food and Diet

Place a water bowl so that your iguana can drink fresh water.   Moisture requirements of an iguana are fulfilled from the food it eats; hence make sure the food you give him has lot of water content.

The diet of an iguana should consist of 35% of fresh greens.  The rest of the diet could be made from shredded and finely chopped fresh vegetables.  Fresh fruits can also be added to the diet.  Some of the greens like turnip greens, dandelion, collard greens, fresh hibiscus leaves may be offered.  Herbs like cilantro, oregano and basil may also be fed.  They also like to have carrots and oranges.    Make sure you feed your iguana with protein rich food like alfalfa tablets, powdered alfalfa and alfalfa food pellets.  Add these to the salad.    Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, plums, dates, grapes, soaked raisins etc are enjoyed by iguanas.

Personal hygiene of your iguana

Make sure you provide a large Tupperware basin or container where the iguana’s body can fit. He may want to defecate in this water area and cleaning becomes easier for you.  Encourage your iguana to defecate in this water area, so that maintaining the cage becomes hassle free.

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