| Exotic pets have a whole different set of needs than | | | | solution, but make sure that your pet can also move |
| what you expect from your typical dog or cat. If | | | | away from the lights to cool down if he starts feeling |
| you're considering a pet like an iguana, one of the | | | | over heated. |
| first things you'll need to do is learn what's necessary | | | | 3) Humidity is necessary for iguanas to live |
| to keep them housed comfortably and in good | | | | comfortably and healthy. They come from native |
| health. Below is a guide to some of the main | | | | habitats with high air humidity, which prevents |
| considerations you should keep in mind while planning | | | | dehydration, so it's necessary for you to simulate this |
| a home for your iguana. | | | | in your pet's home. Lack of humidity can cause skin |
| 1) Size is the first consideration when buying an | | | | problems, and can even lead to death from kidney |
| iguana cage. Many people believe the myth that an | | | | failure. There are many ways to provide humidity, |
| iguana will not grow large if it's kept in a small cage, | | | | from regular daily mistings and baths, to keeping a |
| but this simply isn't true. A healthy iguana can grow | | | | humidifier in the room with the iguana, to elaborate |
| up to 6 feet in length, so you'll have to be able to | | | | automatic misting set ups. |
| make arrangements for it - either an outdoor cage, | | | | 4) Finally, let's not forget the importance of light to |
| or a room in your home dedicated to a very large | | | | an iguana. For their health, it's vital that iguanas |
| cage. Of course, if you're buying a juvenile iguana, | | | | receive both UVA and UVB light, and the best way |
| you won't need a cage that large to start off with. | | | | to do that is let them sit out in the sun. You should |
| But the cage that you do use will need to give your | | | | be aware though, that many plastic and glass |
| iguana room to move and climb, and shouldn't be | | | | habitats filter the UV rays - and can become hot as |
| cramped in any way. | | | | an oven inside if left out in the sun. A screened |
| 2) Iguanas, of course, are reptiles, which means | | | | outdoor enclosure is the best option, but make sure |
| they're cold blooded creatures and as such can not | | | | that it's secure and escape-proof, and don't forget to |
| self-regulate their body temperature; they depend on | | | | have a shaded area. It's also necessary to have lights |
| their environment for that. The habitat you use for | | | | in your iguana's cage that provide an artificial source |
| your iguana needs to keep them warm enough to | | | | of the needed UV rays. This way your pet won't |
| allow them to proper digest food and stay healthy. | | | | suffer during shorter winter days or when you can't |
| Heat lights on the top of the cage are a common | | | | take it out for direct sunlight. |