| A pet iguana can make a wonderful companion. If | | | | require tropical living conditions. The amount and type |
| you are considering getting an iguana for a pet, there | | | | of lighting and heat required for your iguana depends |
| are a few things to consider beforehand. Iguanas are | | | | partly on your specific geographical area. |
| very interesting creatures and can provide you with | | | | There are many products available for providing |
| hours of enjoyment and entertainment. If you decide | | | | proper heat and light for your iguana. Do not assume |
| to become an iguana pet owner, take time to | | | | that just any light or heat source is safe for your |
| understand what an iguana needs and be prepared to | | | | iguana. There are certain ultraviolet light sources that |
| provide it so that your iguana experience is a | | | | are not safe for your pet iguana, including specific |
| rewarding one. | | | | types of fluorescents. Be sure to provide iguana safe |
| The most popular pet iguana is the green iguana. | | | | heating and lighting sources to avoid problems. |
| Iguanas are herbivores, or vegetarians. You need to | | | | Pets usually require some type of training. They also |
| establish a well balanced nutritional diet for your | | | | need socialization. Just like a devoted dog yearns to |
| iguana early on. If a young child is asked to plan his | | | | be petted and loved, your iguana needs attention, |
| diet, he might tell his mother he'd prefer a diet based | | | | too. Just as the devoted dog has to be trained to |
| on sugar, candy, sodas, and ice cream. His mother, | | | | behave properly, your iguana needs to be trained, |
| however, knows very well that is NOT what he | | | | too. You will have to work with your iguana regularly |
| needs, and it is her job to teach him early in life how | | | | to gain his trust. |
| to eat properly. It is no different with your green | | | | Your iguana will respond to touch, snacks and treats, |
| iguana. Your iguana's diet should be rich in | | | | exercise, freedom from his enclosure, and your love |
| carbohydrates, high in fiber, and low in fat. Get your | | | | and attention. You might be finding this hard to |
| iguana on a proper diet in the beginning. | | | | believe. You are thinking this is an iguana, right? Yes, |
| When you hold a hatchling iguana in your hand, it | | | | it is an iguana, and while iguanas are rarely |
| seems harmless enough. How much space could he | | | | domesticated and socialized in their natural wild |
| possibly need? How much could he possibly eat? | | | | habitat, they can be tamed. It is up to you to do it |
| Iguanas get big. There is an old wives' tale that you | | | | properly. |
| can control the size of your iguana by limiting the size | | | | If you do not tame your iguana early and regularly, |
| of his enclosure. Nothing could be farther from the | | | | you will end up with a wild uncontrollable iguana that |
| truth. Attempting it is not healthy for your iguana. | | | | won't allow you near him. There is, unfortunately, no |
| When setting up the initial habitat for your pet | | | | guarantee that every single iguana is capable of |
| iguana, allow for future growth. An iguana's habitat | | | | training regardless of the time and effort you invest. |
| should be at a minimum 1.5 times the length of his | | | | That is a chance you take when you decide to own |
| body. Remember that other things have to fit into his | | | | an iguana. |
| living space besides him, such as lighting, feeding | | | | It is similar with dogs. Dogs in the wild are similar to |
| dishes, water bowls, heating equipment, and iguana | | | | wolves and rarely trained or domesticated. Dogs |
| "playground" accessories. | | | | respond to touch, snacks and treats, and your love |
| Your little hatchling will grow at least a foot per year | | | | and attention. Dogs require early and regular training |
| and eventually reach five or more feet in length. Your | | | | in order to become well behaved, controllable animals. |
| iguana needs room to move around in his enclosure. | | | | A dog treated badly, cruelly and totally ignored has |
| There are many choices when it comes to iguana | | | | the potential of becoming uncontrollable. |
| enclosures. Just keep size in mind when setting up | | | | An iguana can make a great pet for you. It is best |
| your iguana's living area. | | | | that you know up front what will be required of you |
| Using a smaller enclosure in the beginning is fine. Just | | | | to be a responsible iguana pet owner. Owning an |
| bear in mind that your iguana will continue to grow, | | | | iguana as a pet is not for everyone. If you are willing |
| and he needs sufficient space to do so. Be prepared | | | | to follow iguana pet care guidelines properly and give |
| to modify or replace the enclosure if you choose to | | | | your iguana the care and attention he deserves, you |
| start out small. | | | | will have a very adventurous and rewarding |
| Green iguanas are natives of a tropical climate, | | | | relationship with a wonderful animal. |
| specifically South and Central America, and they | | | | |