Iguana information

Green Iguana Habitat

The green iguana habitat can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose to make it. As long as the key elements, space, light, heat, and security are taken into account, you can make it an expession of your own creativity.

Space is important. Make sure that one dimension is at least twice as long as your iguana, as measured from head to tail. If it is an iguana of six inches or less, remember that it should grown to twice it's size within a year. It's better to start off with an oversized terrarium than to have to change it every six months.

Lighing is critical to your green iguanas health. It requires a source of UVB light to properly metabolize calcium. Without this, it will develop bone disease and eventually die. This light must be direct, not through glass or plastic. For this reason, it is important that the top of the terrarium is of wire mesh.

Your iguana likes it warm. Remember, reptiles have no internal mechanism for controlling body temperature. They need an external heat source to keep warm, and to keep their digestive enzymes functioning. Do NOT use "hot rocks" or similar direct heating devices. These provide heating that is too hot, and too localized to be useful. Incandescent heat lamps, ceramic radiant heaters and/or under-cage heating pads or tapes work well. Make sure you have at least one, preferably two thermometers in the terrarium. Don't guess, or go by what feels warm to you. The temperature should be about 85F in the hot area during the day, with a minimum of 75F at night.

Security has two aspects to it - making sure your pet doesn't escape, and making sure it cannot hurt itself. When making your habitat escape proof, assume that your iguana is ten times stronger than you think it is, has had an aprenticeship with Houdini, and can levitate.

Making sure your pet can't hurt itself is more difficult. Make sure there is no place that a toe can get stuck and broken. Make sure there is nothing sharp inside. Keep all heat sources outside the terrarium, or the iguana will burn itself. Use a safe, non toxic substrate. Never use sand (which can be injested), or carpet (loops can tagle toes, cutting off circulation).