Iguana Pet Care

Before buying an iguana as a pet one should collect proper information about the reptile. Iguanas are often known to be a giant reptile which reminds us of a dinosaur! Iguanas are cold blooded reptiles.

Highlights on iguana pet care :

1. Habitat/Enclosure
   1. Habitats or the enclosure should be larger in size. Enclosure should make the iguana feel comfortable
   2. The width and depth of cage should be 3 times the length of iguana
   3. The height of the cage should be 4 times the iguana length
   4. Iguana likes moving up - down rather then right – left i.e. climbing on tree
   5. An iguana grows very quickly so the cage provided to them should be large enough to make them comfortable
   6. Iguanas are arboreal .They like to climb on trees a lot. The enclosures should contain trees and plants in the cage
   7. If iguanas are kept in a small enclosure/cage then they don’t grow properly. Iguana growth gets restricted. They need proper space for growth
2. Temperature in enclosure
   1. Iguanas are basically from the tropical region and they are cold blooded reptiles. They require warm temperatures to maintain their body temperature.
   2. Temperature in the cage or enclosure should be kept around 80-85 degree C.
   3. Basking temperature required by iguana is around 90 °C.
   4. There should be a warmer place as well as cooler place in cage. Iguana can maintain the body temperature constantly by moving around the areas.
   5. If the temperature in the enclosure is cool, it will lead to indigestion of food to iguana.
3. Lighting and humidity in enclosure
   1. The habitat of an iguana must have proper lighting. Lighting should include UVA and UVB light. UVA lights helps to get natural light. UV lights can be given to iguana through sun.
   2. Iguanas can maintain D3 level in their body with help of UV light. Calcium and Vitamin D3 is very important for iguana.
   3. Providing a cage with both UVA light and UVB light is very essential for an iguana.
   4. Iguana requires a high level of humidity. Humidity level should be around 65-75% in the cage.
4. Food and water care for iguana
   1. Iguanas are vegetarians. They should be fed with proper amount of good green leafy vegetables like Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelions, escarole, rapini, green beans, pea pods, string beans, clover and alfalfa.
   2. food which can be occasionally provided to iguana are bock choy, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, grapes, and broccoli.
   3. Providing an iguana with cukes and celery will provide water through it at the same time.
   4. Water is needed to iguana for the proper functioning of their body cells. Iguanas do not drink water from tray or dish like other animals. They lap up the water from rocks in cage. So it is recommended to wet the enclosure 2 or 3 times a day. Humid environment should be maintained in the cage to keep the skin of iguana from getting dried.
5. Heath care
   1. Iguanas should have clear and bright eyes
   2. Heath of the iguanas should be in good physique
   3. The plump physiques indicate that the iguana is well feeded. It also denotes that the animal is happy as well comfortable.
   4. The skin of the iguana should be in a vivid shade of green. Skin should be free of bumps and discoloration.
   5. Iguanas should not be given any stress. It will keep iguana safe from disease
6. Why iguana should be kept and cared as a pet?
   1. Iguanas are vegetarian and easy to care for
   2. Iguanas live for a very long time. It has a record of about 67 year life time.
   3. There is no hair or fur on the body of reptile which may cause any allergy or infection.
   4. Iguanas can be trained very easily

The above information explains about the iguana pet care. Care should be taken of the iguana as a pet.