Green Iguana Information
The green iguana (Iguana iguana) can be a wonderful and interesting pet whether you are an avid herp collector or this is your first lizard. Although the green iguana may be found in a pet shop, it is important to understand this animal has many special requirements that will help ensure a long life of health. Below are some important recommendations to offer you iguana.
HOUSING:
Most iguanas are purchased when they are less than a foot in length. An aquarium is an adequate enclosure for your iguana; used aquariums can often be bought inexpensively. Used aquariums can easily be cleaned with a dilute ammonia solution (mix 1 part ammonia with 30-40 parts of water). Be sure to chose an enclosure that is an appropriate size for your iguana. It should be 2-3 times the body length of your iguana. This allows him the freedom of movement around tank while not having too much space. Too large of a cage can stress an animal and cause him to become ill. Healthy iguana's grow about one to two feet a year for the first 3 years of their life.
LIGHTING:
We know that the green iguana has a very sensitive balance between the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in his body. Your iguana needs to be either under a full spectrum ultraviolet light containing UVb radiation or in direct sunlight not filtered through glass. A light may be obtained at a pet shop (a trade name for the light is called Vitalight). The correct lighting for your iguana is absolutely essential for both a long and healthy life. He should have a regular room light so that his environment is bright. All lights should be left on for about 10-12 hours per day. Lighting can greatly affect the eating habits of your pet.
HEATING/TEMPERATURE:
The optimal temperature of the green iguana in the wild is 88-105 degrees Fahrenheit. By use of an overhead infrared or ceramic heat bulb and a heating pad under the enclosure, you need to try to achieve a gradient of these temperatures as you move across the tank. This allows the iguana to seek temperature he is most comfortable with throughout the day and night. By means of a small thermometer strip placed at different locations in he cage, you can establish this temperature control quickly. REMEMBER, as the seasons change, you will need to adjust accordingly.
FOOD:
We suggest that your iguana eats as wide a variety of fruits and vegetables as possible with the "base" of the food always being a high calcium vegetable. Collard and or mustard greens are a great source of calcium. Your iguana needs to eat everyday. Many will eat at dawn or dusk, so once you have observed your lizards eating patterns, you can adjust your feeding schedule accordingly. You should also have a shallow bowl for water (warmed in the winter by a heating pad under the enclosure). The bowl should be bigger than the iguana body size so that he may both soak (most iguanas also defecate in the water) and drink. For obvious reasons, the water needs to be changed more than once a day.
VITAMINS:
Repta-cal is a good supplemental vitamin available at most pet stores. Do not be confused with reptavet, which research shows is not appropriate. This supplement can be sprinkled over the food every 2-3 days.