How To Take Care Of An Iguana

An iguana is the most popular reptile kept as a pet. This reptile requires extreme care and also a bit attention. Iguanas become a great pet!

Things to consider for iguana care

1. Proper housing for Iguanas: Proper housing should be provided to iguanas. The enclosure of a reptile must be twice the size of an iguana. The space in the enclosure should be large and comfortable for an iguana to move around and also to perform some exercise.
   

   As iguanas grow very quickly, the cage should be of proper size so that the younger iguana can grow properly and quickly. A smaller cage restricts the iguana from growing at a proper rate.

   Iguanas are arboreal, they like climbing on trees a lot. Cage should contain trees and plants to climb and hide. It is very essential for an iguana since it helps in maintaining the body structure.

2. Proper temperature for Iguanas : Proper temperature must be maintained in the habitat/cage. There should be around 85 degree F temperature in cage. Good health of an iguana requires a warm temperature in cage. Basking temperature required by an iguana in cage is around 90-95 °C.

   Inadequate amount of warm temperature will result in indigestion problem in the iguana. The proper range of temperature will also ensure the iguana to maintain the body temperature. If the temperature in the enclosure is too cool it will make the iguana inactive. At night iguanas should be provided with heat but not light.

   Humidity levels in the enclosure should be very high. The range of humidity level in the cage must be around 70-75 %. This will prevent the skin of iguana to get harder.

3. Proper lighting for Iguanas: Proper lighting is needed in the enclosure. UVA light and UVB light should be used in the enclosure of the iguana. UVA light helps to maintain the natural behavior of an iguana. UVB light helps in maintaining vitamin D3 level in the body of the iguana. Sunlight is the best source of providing UV light to an iguana.
4. Food for iguana: Iguanas are herbivores. They should be fed with green leafy vegetables, fruits, trees, plants, grass etc. The green leafy vegetables include Kale, collards, arugula, watercress, turnip greens, mustard greens.

   Iguana loves to eat flower of hibiscus as well as fruits like grapes, cherry, mango, banana, lemon, and orange. Vitamins are very important for an iguana which helps in eradicating the diseases.

   Iguana must not be fed with animal protein. Feeding iguana with animal protein will not be called as a proper care.

   Iguana should be provided with water. Water is very necessary for the growth and health of iguana. Iguanas do not prefer to drink water directly from the dish. They lap up water from the rocks or cage.

5. Health issues pertaining to Iguanas: Metabolic bone disease is most common diseases found among iguanas. This disease occurs due to malnutrition, when iguana is not feeded properly.

   When iguanas get more aggressive, hide a lot, skin gets dull or loose it can be symptoms of disease. Proper care should be taken of iguana.

Keeping an iguana as a pet is not an easy task. If the iguanas are properly taken care of they can give you company for a quite a long period of time. This above information helps you to know how to take care of iguana.