Iguanas are one of the
most popular reptiles kept today in captivity. They
look very much like dragons with their powerful looking
head, long tail, and small spikes running on top of
their back. They grow up to 6 feet in length and are
truly magnificent creatures with their beautiful green
coloring and intricate patterns. They are one of the
very few lizards that does not require mostly live
insects to eat, as iguanas enjoy a much more vegetarian
type diet.
General Diet:
Iguanas eat mainly vegetables and some fruits
cut to a size that they can easily eat. They also
need to get some protein from meats such as cooked
egg or insects, especially the younger iguanas. Commercial
diets are available that help cover most of an iguana’s
nutritional needs, and these diets are very easy to
use.
Vitamins/ Supplements:
Reptiles need to have a vitamin/mineral supplement
with calcium and phosphorous. Most commercial foods
will have supplements already added. If not, a supplement
should be sprinkled on the adult’s food items
at every second to third feeding and more often with
very young reptiles. We will be glad to explain how
often to feed and give supplements to your new pet.
Foods to feed:
Good commercial diets are the best and easiest
way to feed your iguana as they include almost everything
an iguana needs. However, these commercial diets can
and should be supplemented with other foods mentioned
below. If a commercial diet is not used, then feed
an iguana vegetables as its main diet (about 80%),
especially dark leafy greens such as collards, mustard
greens, alfalfa sprouts, and spinach.
Some kale, broccoli, turnip greens, carrot, green
beans, and squash are good secondary choices. It is
best to avoid cabbage. About 15% of their diet can
be almost any type of fruit, although stay light or
away from bananas. The last 5% should be protein in
the form of meat like cooked eggs, insects, or certain
brands of dog food.
Housing:
Iguanas get big, so a 20-gallon tank is a
good starter for a young iguana, but as they grow
they will need a larger and larger container. A full
hood or screen can be used on top along with two types
of lighting systems. One type of lighting has a reptile
fluorescent bulb that gives off full spectrum light
including UVA and UVB. The UVB is especially important
for these reptiles to get so they can absorb calcium
properly. The second light system is for heat. Reptiles
are ectotherms, which means they get their heat from
an outside source, unlike humans.
Different areas of the habitat should be at different
temperatures, so reptiles can move around to heat
up or cool off. Iguanas are comfortable with a daytime
temperature in their habitat of 86-95 degrees, a nighttime
temperature of 76-82, and a basking area of 98-100
degrees. Use a strong daylight heat bulb in a heat
lamp during the day to keep the temperature up in
their habitat. Use two bulbs if the cage is very large.
If the place you live gets cold at night, use one
to two night heat bulb(s) (which give off heat but
not much light). One area of the habitat should be
a basking area where the iguana can lay and really
warm up if wants to during the day then turn off the
basking lamp at night. Do not use hot rocks with iguanas.
Iguanas like humidity (60 to 80%) in their habitat
and should be misted at least twice daily. Keep a
large shallow dish or tray of water to help with humidity
in the habitat as well. The dish or tray should be
large enough for the iguana to get in and out of easily.
Use a shallow sturdy dish for food. Some branches,
vines, or other decorations that they can climb should
be used in the habitat. Do not use any branches from
outside, or you might be introducing pesticides or
diseases. Use the appropriate reptile litter or substrate
on the bottom.
Sanitation/ General Care:
Change the water every day and clean out
the water dish or tray thoroughly twice a week. The
litter or substrate used on the bottom should be cleaned
as often as needed, and this will depend on habitat
size and your pet’s size.
General Maintenance:
Mist the tank twice or more daily, depending
on how the dry the air is in your area and time of
year. Reptiles will shed their skin periodically.
Mist them at these times to help them shed the skin
more easily. Be sure the habitat is at the right temperature
at all times, as a chilled reptile will not eat well
or at all and may get sick. Change the reptile full
spectrum light as often as recommended by the manufacturer,
usually every six months to a year. Although the bulb
may still be working, it will lose its potency over
a certain period of time.
Health Care:
Iguanas are generally very hardy and healthy
when kept in the right conditions. Have your new pet
checked out by a reptile veterinarian when first bought
for any problems or parasites, just like you would
for a puppy or kitten. Then have them checked only
if needed due to sickness or injury.
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