How to properly care for a pet iguana.
Iguanas are not easy to care for. The iguana has become a very popular pet but few people are aware of the difficulty of caring for them. Iguanas are very expensive to care for. They require a very large cage, a varied fresh diet, proper temperatures and UV lighting. Adult iguanas can become very aggressive.
UV light
An iguana requires at least 2-3 hours of direct UV light a day. If they don't receive this light through direct sunshine they must receive it through artificial UV-B lights. Direct sunshine means direct, not through glass. Iguanas that don't receive UV lighting will suffer from MBD (metabolic bone disease). Without UV light iguanas will also have off-colored skin, shedding problems, and appetite problems. If artificial UV-B is used the iguana will need a full day's lighting. A full day's worth of lighting is a twelve-hour light cycle. The UV-B tubes must be no further than 18" away from the iguana for the iguana to receive the UV effect from the light.
The reason why UV light is so important to the iguana is that the UV light triggers the release of vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the vitamin that allows the absorption of calcium. Iguanas cannot utilize dietary D3; in fact it can be harmful. They must receive it from UV radiation
Heat
Heat and maintaining the proper heat gradients is very crucial to the iguana. The iguana's cage will have different levels. Each level will be a different temperature. The iguana in nature goes in and out of warm and cool areas to keep a proper internal temperature. You must supply the same gradients in the iguana's cage. The gradients will go from top to bottom 70 degrees to no more than 95 degrees. The iguana needs a minimum temperature of 85 degrees to digest his food.
To obtain the proper temperature a space heater is needed. A simple ceramic space heater will work as long as it has an internal thermostat. Hang the heater so that the iguana can never reach it and get injured.
A basking spot is required on the top gradient of the cage. The basking temperature should be 95 degrees. To reach these temperatures use two 75-watt bulbs. Hang these lights so that the iguana can never reach them. Iguanas can jump. As an added precaution place a wire guard around the light bulbs. Hot rocks have hot spots and should not be used for an iguana. Any means of heating the iguana from the underside of his body will not work. Iguanas naturally bask in the sun in trees. The veins in the iguana's body run mainly through his back. The sun heats these veins and the veins heat the iguana's body.
At nighttime the iguana will need a full 12 hours of darkness. The temperature at nighttime should not go below 70 degrees. The ceramic space heater will work the best at night to maintain proper temperatures.
Nutrition
An iguana needs a leafy green diet that is high in calcium. Serve the iguana no less than 8 different leafy greens a day. These greens can be supplemented with fruits twice a week.
Greens (High in calcium)
Collards
Mustard spinach
Escarole
Turnip Greens
Amaranth leaves
Arugula
Beet greens
Chinese Cabbage (pak-choi)
Chinese Cabbage (pe-tsai)
Dandelion greens with flowers
Kale
Mustard
Spinach
Water Cress
Leeks
Swiss Chard
Fruits (High in calcium)
Orange Peel
Papaya
Figs
Prickly Pear
Raspberries
Blackberries
Mango
Grapes
Cherries
Peaches
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
Metabolic Bone Disease is a horrendous disease that is cause by lack of calcium or the iguana is unable to utilize calcium. Another words MBD is caused by calcium deficiency. MBD is also caused by the improper ratio of calcium and phosphorus. The proper ratio of calcium and phosphorus is 2 to 1. The symptoms of MBD are swollen limbs and jaw, rubbery bones, brittle bones, recessed jaw, lethargy, and death.
The cause of MBD is improper UV radiation, diet too low in calcium or too high in phosphorus. MBD can also be caused by too low of temperature so that the iguana can not digest his food.
Housing
A baby iguana needs a cage that is at least 40 gallons or larger. Adult iguanas can grow up to 6 feet in length. As the iguana grows he will need a larger cage. An adult will need a cage that is at least 8-feet tall and 12-feet wide. The cage can be built out of wood. The top should be made out of wood so that the cage will not lose heat. The front side of the cage should be made out of glass, acrylic or Plexiglas. The front can be made out of any transparent material that is strong. Several levels should be built into the cage. Each level will be a different temperature. The bottom temperature should be 70 degrees, second level 85 degrees and the top 95 degrees. Three layers are necessary but more layers are better.
A nice clean pond in their cage will be much appreciated by the iguana. The iguana enjoys swimming and floating. The water helps with shedding and the iguana's overall health. The temperature of the water should be around 85 degrees.
Purchasing a Healthy Iguana
Purchase an Iguana from a reputable breeder or pet store. Make sure the iguana's general appearance is healthy. Make sure his skin is clear. Make sure his vent and belly is free of dried feces and urates. Make sure his limbs are strong. Look for mites by looking for black, dark reddish brown or bright orange dots. Look for swelling in the limbs and joints. Make sure the eyes are bright and clear. Check the nose for wet or dried mucous.
Summary
Be prepared for your iguana before you purchase him. Remember that baby iguana can grow up to six feet long. Adult iguanas can become aggressive. Feeding and housing an iguana can be very expensive. Please give purchasing an iguana serious consideration. Many iguanas have suffered excruciating deaths and agonizing existences because of improper care.
