ISA & JERA
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Distribution: Iguanas are large arboreal lizards found in areas of Mexico, South Brazil, Paraguay and in the Lesser Antilles. Size: The size of your iguana depends greatly on country of origin and the conditions under which you keep your pet. On average, an adult iguana will range from 4-5 foot in length although many have been known to reach lengths of 6 foot and weigh around 10 lbs. Diet: Wild green iguanas are herbivorous consuming a primarily folivorous diet of leaves, blossoms and fruit. Diet should be altered according to age rather than size. Iguanas up to 2 years old should have a diet consisting of 80% green plant matter and 20% vegetation. Iguanas over 2 years old should have a diet consisting of 95% green plant matter and 5% vegetation. Housing Requirements: This will be the expensive part of your iguana ownership. As your iguana grows it will need new, bigger cages if it is to develop and live a happy, healthy life. These are some of the things to consider when designing a new iguana habitat. * Heat source - This can be either reflector (spot) lights in green, red or blue, ceramics or tubular heaters. * UV light source - True light, Activa 172, Reptisun UVB310, Reptisun 5.0UVB. These should be left on for 8 - 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. Housing:- This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with a glass frontage_ and adequate ventilation. Juveniles would require a vivarium measuring 2ft long by 2ft deep by 2ft high. An adult would require a vivarium measuring 6ft long by 2ft deep by 4ft high. These measurements are to be used as a guideline only. * Thermostat - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures within the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold. * Wire mesh guards - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal bums from happening * Thermometers - One should be placed each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate. * Hides - These are essential to prevent stress and to allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots etc all make excellent hides. * Water -These animals require a water container which will allow them to bathe without constriction. This water should be changed daily as this is also the water they drink from. Temperatures: A basking area of a minimum of 88F and a maximum of 97F. A background temperature ranging from 68F to 86F. Humidity 65 to 95 % with the occasional misting using tepid water. Longevity: Iguanas if kept under the right conditions and given the correct diet can live between 10 and 15 years with some exceeding this.  Some things about us that you should think of before buying a green iguana: While seemingly inexpensive to purchase, we are high maintenance pets that can grow to over six feet in a few years and constantly need bigger homes. We are not easy to take care of: We require special diets and environments. Sometimes we can be agressive and bite very hard. Some of us carry Salmonella. We are the most fascinating pet who will ever own you. |
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