What all do you need to have a pet iguana?

Answer 1

Iguanas are tropical animals and must have the same conditions in your home as they would in the wild. They need a good UVB light in order to create Vitamin D and process the calcium in their diet. They also need a good heat lamp to be warm enough for their body to function properly. Never put a heat rock in the cage as they can and will burn themselves on it. Some people may also opt to have a good full spectrum UVA light as well. This light just helps them get the other wavelengths they would normally get from the sun.

Iguanas need a good diet of greens, veggies and fruits. They should never be fed protein! A good way to remember what greens they need is to shop for anything that ends in 'greens' such as collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens; and never buy anything that ends in 'lettuce' such as romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, etc. Spinach is the one darky, leafy green that should not be feed in large quantities. Almost all veggies can be fed except for eggplant and rhubarb, which are toxic to them. Most non-citrus fruits can also be fed; although, they prefer the more tropical fruits such as mango, banana, melons, and papaya.

Your iguana needs humidity also. Misting the cage, using a humidifer, or letting them soak in a bath every day is a good way to get them their ambient moisture needs. Also include a large, but sturdy, water bowl for them to drink or lay in, and mist their food from time to time so they can ingest water that way. Water is crucial for keeping their kidneys functioning properly; however, unlike a dog or cat it is rare to see an iguana actually drink from their water bowls. They tend to ingest or absorb their water in other ways.

Lastly, your iguana needs a cage big enough to live in. Baby iguanas can live in a glass tank for the first 1-2 years. They need something to climb on; these are normally tree-dwelling animals in the wild. Larger iguanas need very large cages and time to roam free outside of the cage. Their cage needs to have room for them to climb, stretch out, and be able to move in and out of the heat as needed. An iguana over 3 years old should never, ever be housed in a tank.

Iguanas often make wonderful pets. Personally, I have 4 of my own iguanas and I run an iguana rescue to take in and find homes for other iguanas. Iguanas can live up to 25 years in captivity when properly taken care.