| Iguanas are exotic animals that make for great | | | | on a strict vegetarian diet with no animal matter |
| exotic pets. They are also becoming more and more | | | | whatsoever. If you assume that animal protein can |
| popular by the day. However, for some iguana | | | | assist the growth and development of your iguana, |
| lovers, the task of taking care of an iguana can be | | | | you are seriously mistaken as plant foods are more |
| quite daunting. Fortunately, once you learn about the | | | | than sufficient for maximizing you iguana's growth |
| two basic concepts of food and shelter you will be | | | | and lifespan. |
| well equipped to take on the challenge of caring for | | | | Shelter: It is vital to know that iguanas are cold |
| your own pet iguana. Here are some important | | | | blooded and therefore they rely on their external |
| guidelines to follow when providing for your iguana: | | | | environment for their survival. For this reason an |
| Food: During your research on what to feed your | | | | iguana owner must consider the various factors that |
| iguana, you may come across some information | | | | will affect the habitat and health of his pet. |
| stating that is alright to feed insects to your iguana, | | | | Here are some things to consider:a) Temperature - In |
| based on the premise that in the wild iguanas have | | | | their homes, there must be both hot and cold spots |
| been known to eat insects. This is gravely incorrect! | | | | for the iguana to utilize so that it can regulate its |
| Iguanas, in the wild, sometimes do eat insects but | | | | body temperature easily. There must be a spot just |
| only by accident (they sometimes mistake insects for | | | | for basking which should be between 90 and 95 |
| fruits and plants). They may also be forced to | | | | degrees Fahrenheit.b) Size - Even if you purchase a |
| consume insects due to a lack of available vegetation | | | | small-sized baby iguana, you must remember that it |
| around them. There are various factors that can | | | | will eventually grow up to 6 feet in length. Therefore, |
| affect the vegetation supply within the iguana's | | | | your enclosure must be big enough for the iguana to |
| habitat and during those times iguanas may consume | | | | move around in.c) Lighting - Natural sunlight is the |
| insects to survive. But for the most part, iguanas are | | | | best choice as a source of UVA and UVB light. |
| strictly vegetarian and herbivorous animals. | | | | Iguanas need these rays for survival. You may find |
| So why can't iguanas eat insects and other animal | | | | artificial lighting in pet shops that are specially made |
| proteins? | | | | for iguanas but at best these will be compliments and |
| Iguanas have complex digestive systems and are not | | | | not substitutes to your iguana's light needs. |
| able to break down and process the complex | | | | These are the basic requirements for taking care of |
| concentration of protein that is present in animal | | | | a pet iguana and this should help you get started in |
| matter. The unprocessed parts of the protein end up | | | | the process of caring for your own pet. However, |
| being turned into crystals, which are deposited in the | | | | more research on various other topics is |
| kidney tissue and this can lead to serious gout or | | | | recommended for maximum development and the |
| kidney problems. Therefore, if you want your iguana | | | | well being of your pet iguana. |
| to be well cared for and healthy, you must keep it | | | | |