Pet Iguana Care

The commonest of pet reptiles purchased today are the Iguanas.  These animals grow about 4-6 feet in length.  They reach a weight of about 10-15 pounds maximum and live for about 12-15 years.  With proper care and attention, iguanas can live up to 20 years.
Housing for Iguanas:

A young iguana can be housed in a 30 gallon to 50 gallon aquarium.  But within a few months, this housing would have to be changed.  Enclosures of different shapes and sizes of different materials like glass, wood or Plexiglas can be used.  Make sure that sand, bark or oil are not used as iguanas tend to eat them and are sure to experience stomach problems.  Branches and pieces of drift wood, rocks and bark can be used for climbing and this keeps them active.

Water:

Iguanas require water to survive.  They like to be in and around water areas.  They enjoy drinking water from the dishes provided.   The dishes have to be cleaned regularly and disinfected so that they do not suffer from bacterial infections.

Your iguana needs to be bathed twice daily.  Some iguanas love to bathe, while some are scared and panic when bathing.  Understanding their psychology helps.

Outdoor Sunlight

Iguanas are very active during day time. Iguanas love to bask in outdoor sunlight for about 5 to 10 hours weekly.  Make sure while selecting the cage that, other wild animals are not able to enter the cage and also your iguana is not able to escape from the cage.  Glass cages should be avoided as far as possible.  Make sure that you provide proper diet consisting of wholesome and nutritious diet and water.

Handling with care

Regular handling of iguanas helps in taming them.  Iguanas also are able to express their emotions if they are handled properly with care and affection.   Iguanas can be aggressive sometimes, so take care while handling them.

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Basic Info On Green Iguanas You Need To Know

Geographic Range:

Green iguanas are found in South and Central part of America.  This huge sized lizard also lives in islands through the Caribbean region and also in coastal eastern Pacific.

Habitation:
Green Iguanas inhabit at tree tops.  Younger iguanas live in the lower canopy areas.  This typical tree type habitat helps them in sub basking.  They come down only when they have to dig burrows for laying eggs.
They are superb swimmers and they prefer to stay in and around water areas, so that they are able to fulfill their requirements of swimming and diving deep beneath the water.  Even though they prefer the forest environment, they are pretty adaptable and they adjust very well to an open area as well.

Other information:

A three year old Iguana weighs about 1kg.  When the egg hatches, the length of the iguana measures from 17 cm to 25 cm.  Well formed mature iguanas weight about 4 to 6 kgs.  When fed and looked after properly, they also weigh close to 8 kgs.

Even though they are described as green iguanas, they vary in colors.  As they grow older, their color is uniform.  Younger iguanas have both green and brown color shades.  The color change assists them in thermoregulation.  Especially during the mornings, when the temperature is low, the skin grows darker so as to easily absorb heat from the sun’s rays.  These color changes are identified especially in males and they are due to the sex steroids present in their body.  6 to 8 weeks before courting, the males pose a bright gold or orange color.  Fully grown and mature females adorn the green color.
Development of the Iguana:
Close to 65 days after they have mated, the female iguana lays eggs.  The number of eggs laid depends on the size of the female iguana, her health condition and her maturity.  The egg of the iguana measures about 15.4 mm in diameter.  These dull cream colored eggs are deposited by the female in the nest.   Once she has laid the eggs, the female goes back to have a look at the nest to ensure that the eggs are safe, but she does not necessarily stay back to guard the eggs.

The incubation process takes about 90 to 120 days.  The temperature should be around 85 degrees to 91degress Fahrenheit.