Iguana Care Sheet: Take Care Of Your Iguana The Right Way
Iguanas have become some of the most popular pets available and many pet stores sell them at cheap and affordable prices. People of all ages seem to be attracted to these exotic lizards. They have a sense of strangeness but cuteness, weirdness but wonderment and they are definitely out of the ordinary, making them a one of a kind pet to have.
Iguanas require adequate care and attention just like any other pet. But they are very different from average pets and you must be very knowledgeable and equipped with proper information before buying one. The internet has a vast amount of information, pictures, and videos to assist you in the process and you should be sure to do your homework before getting a pet iguana.
However if you are just getting started, you might find these tips in the following iguana care sheet to be helpful:
Habitat/Cage
It is essential that you provide a proper habitat or at the very least a cage or similar enclosure for your iguana. Otherwise they will roam around your house freely and may cause damage to themselves and others.
A habitat is needed to house your iguana, unless you want them to roam freely in your house. The habitat must be large enough to house your pet and give him enough room to roam around in. The size of your habitat or cage will vary based on the size of the pet iguana but the ideal size for a small iguana is usually in the range of 6 feet long. It is also important that there’s a sufficient supply of water in the habitat, some stuff for the animal to climb on, a basking area and a hiding place. The habitat should also be twice the size of the iguana since they are considered to be arboreal, meaning they love to climb and roam freely around.
Food
Iguanas are strictly vegetarian and therefore they should be fed green leafy vegetables and fruits such as broccoli, lettuce, berries and oranges. They can also eat tofu up to twice a week. Water that you supply should be clean and fresh and the food should also be fresh at all times. Unclean water and spoiled food can lead to illnesses and therefore you should be very careful when choosing the right foods for your pet. Feeding your iguana in the morning will allow adequate time for digestion and therefore it is recommend to feed your pet as soon as it awakens.
Temperature
Your iguana must receive sufficient heat either from a light or heat pad because it aids in digestion. The best temperature for a cage is between 80 -95 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to proper heat, the habitat should maintain a high level of humidity (60-70%).
Lighting
If your iguana does not receive proper exposure to UV light then he is at risk of getting MBD or Metabolic Bone Disease which can be very serious. Make sure you allow your lizard to bask around in direct sunlight and use fluorescent lighting in its cage. These lights can usually be bought at your local pet shop.
Sanitation
Hygiene is very important to the health of your iguana so make sure the cage and your lizard is cleaned regularly in order to prevent illness. Iguanas often carry the dangerous bacteria called salmonella and cleaning your lizard regularly will kill or deter this bacteria from spreading.
Follow these simple guidelines and you will be well on your way to having a healthy and happy pet iguana.
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