| Iguanas are probably the most popular lizard kept as | | | | recommended because they can cause burns. |
| a pet today. Many pet stores tell people that they | | | | Iguanas need to be kept warm in order to be |
| are very easy to care for, but this isn't true. They | | | | healthy. Keep a thermometer in their cage so you |
| actually have very strict care requirements. They also | | | | can monitor the temperature. The cage should be |
| can grow to be extremely large! | | | | kept around 85 degrees in the day and in the low |
| Many get baby iguanas not realizing how large they | | | | 70s at night. You will also need a spot close to the |
| get. They aren't one of these animals that just grow | | | | heat source where your iguana can lay in the heat. |
| as large as their tank. When they get bigger, they will | | | | This basking spot needs to be between 95 and 100 |
| need a very large cage, or their own room. | | | | degrees. There should be an area in the cage that is |
| When you select an iguana, try to get one that looks | | | | shady so your iguana can go there if they want to |
| alert and healthy. Make sure there are no sores or | | | | get out of the sun. |
| abrasions on their body and also look for bright, clear | | | | Iguanas need to be fed a diet that is low in |
| eyes. You should also be sure that the place you get | | | | phosphorous, high in calcium and contains Vitamin D3. |
| your iguana cleans the cages regularly. If the iguanas | | | | They should be fed lots of greens, such as collard |
| are living in dirty conditions, they could very well be | | | | greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, and turnip |
| sick. | | | | greens. Greens should be the large majority of their |
| The first thing you will need for your iguana is a cage. | | | | diet. Fruits and vegetables like squash, yams, zucchini, |
| If you got a baby, it is best to start with a thirty to | | | | raspberries, bananas, and blackberries can also be |
| fifty gallon aquarium. As your pet grows, it will need a | | | | added. |
| larger cage. You will probably end up having to build a | | | | Iguanas don't actually drink very much. They get |
| custom cage. The cage needs to be at least one and | | | | most of their water out of the air. You should mist |
| a half times longer than the length of the lizard, two | | | | your iguana regularly or put a humidifier in their tank. |
| thirds times wider than the length of the lizard and | | | | Humidity in their cage needs to be between 95 and |
| the same height as the lizard's length. Iguanas love to | | | | 100 percent. |
| climb, so try to get a tall cage. | | | | When you bring your iguana home, let it settle in for |
| You will need to keep some kind of substrate at the | | | | about a week. Don't try to handle it during this time. |
| bottom of the cage. Artificial turf, orchid bark, | | | | After that, start to hold it for brief periods daily. Your |
| carpeting, alfalfa pellets, or newspaper all work well. | | | | iguana will soon become much calmer. Stroking their |
| Do not use wood chips or cedar chips. Bark and | | | | neck and sides also seems to help a lot. Never pick |
| wood chips can attract insects while cedar chips can | | | | up your iguana by the tail. |
| be toxic. | | | | To keep your pet happy and healthy, you will need |
| In the cage you will need to have branches set up | | | | to keep their tank clean, provide food and water and |
| for your iguana to climb on. Iguanas live in trees in | | | | spend as much time with them as you can. You |
| the wild, so branches are a necessity. The branches | | | | should also find a vet in your area that treats iguanas. |
| should be large enough so that the iguana doesn't | | | | Bring your iguana to the vet regularly for checkups. |
| have trouble laying on them. Hot rocks are not | | | | |