Green Iguana Care

If you want your iguana to be as happy and healthy as possible, then you’ll need to provide him with proper living conditions. There are a few things you need to know when setting up an iguana habitat. Here are some of the most important things.

Size

One of the most important things to consider when setting up your iguana’s housing is size. Baby igs can exist fine in a regular aquarium. However, these lizards grow very big, so you’ll have to upgrade the aquarium as it grows.

A healthy adult can grow up to six feet and will need an enclosure that’s at least six feet long, three feet wide, and six feet high. Sometimes it can be pretty hard finding cages large enough in stores that are relatively affordable, so most owners end up custom building one or having it done for them.

Substrate

It’s also important to think about the substrate when setting up an iguana habitat. Suitable materials include carpet, paper towels, and newspaper. Make sure the newspaper has non-toxic ink though.

You should avoid using loose materials such as dirt and sand. Sand and dirt can easily be ingested since iguanas frequently flick their tongues. The ingested materials can lead to a blockage in the digestive tract.

Branches

Iguanas live in trees in the wild. They love to climb. Therefore, it’s important that you provide your ig with plenty of branches and perches to climb around on. The perches and branches can also be used for basking. Just make sure that everything is sturdy enough to support the weight of your iguana. This can become a problem as they grow larger.

Heat

Since they’re tropical creatures, you’ll need to provide plenty of heat for your iguana. You should setup a basking area with a temperature between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in the rest of the enclosure should be upwards of 80 degrees. Make sure that you have multiple thermometers and humidity gauges setup.

Food

It should go without saying, but make sure you provide food and water dishes in the iguana habitat. It’s important that these dishes are shallow enough for easy use. For your sake, it’s best that they can be cleaned easily too.

Besides having a suitable enclosure, there are many more important aspects of iguana care. To learn everything you need to know, make sure you read The Comprehensive Guide to Iguana Care. Every owner wants to make sure that his/her pet will live a long and healthy life. Then make sure you get your copy of the iguana care guide right now.