Iguana Information
How To Care for Iguanas as Pets
Iguanas are very popular pets. People who take iguanas as pets do so because they may find iguanas "exotic". However, some people are put off by the fact that iguana care can be very hard work. However, if you know the basics of food and shelter for iguanas, then iguana care can actually be quite easy. Here are some things you should know about proper iguana care:
1) Food - Iguanas are strict herbivores. Old books on iguana care still say that you need to feed small insects to an iguana. This advice is backed by the fact that some iguanas have been seen consuming small insects in the wild. However, you should know that wild iguanas usually eat insects accidentally, when some such insect lands on a piece of vegetable matter that the iguana is eating.
Another reason why some wild iguanas eat insects is because of the fact that they have nothing else to feed on. Sometimes, different factors affect the vegetation on an iguana's habitat and so the iguana is forced to feed on insects.
Why shouldn't you feed animal proteins to an iguana?
First of all, iguanas' bodies are made for maximum use of plant foods. This means that they are not ale to properly process the high concentration of protein contained ion animal products. The part of the protein that their bodies cannot process often ends up as crystals deposited in the tissue. This could lead to gout or kidney failure.
Proper iguana care requires that you try to keep your iguana on a strict vegetarian diet. Some people think that their iguana's growth will be stunted if they do not feed it any animal proteins. You should know, however, that iguanas which are fed strictly plant foods will grow bigger and live longer.
2) Shelter - this is the second consideration to take in proper iguana care. An iguana owner should pay very close attention to the habitat because of the simple fact that an iguana is cold blooded. This means that the iguana depends highly on its environment for its survival. Here are some things to consider:
a) Temperature - the enclosure for the iguana should have varying spots of temperature. This is so that the iguana can regulate its body temperature by moving between cold and hot spots. You should provide a basking spot for your iguana that has a temperature ranging from 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
b) Size - proper iguana care requires that you provide an enclosure which gives your iguana plenty of space to move around. Some people might think that iguanas require small habitat, but the fact is that an iguana that's properly taken care of can grow up to six feet long! This means that you have to be prepared for the future if you want your iguana to remain healthy.
c) Lighting - iguanas need a source of UVA and UVB light. Now while iguana care shops may have some artificial lighting which provides these, you should know that natural sunlight is still the best for your iguana.
These are just the basics of proper iguana care. These tips should get you started on taking proper care of an iguana. However, if you wish to truly master the art of p[roper iguana care, you should definitely research more about the subject.
| ReptileChannel.com(R) Partners With Zoo Med ... - Melodika.net Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:34:00 GMT Attendees will have access to eight featured sponsors where they can view video product demonstrations, species-specific care sheets, product catalogs ... Med, the show's title sponsor, and featured sponsors Blue Iguana, The Gourmet Rodent, ECO ... | ||
| Animals given to humane society - Marshall News Messenger Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:52:00 GMT An iguana was also found to have mouth rot and later died ... Hoffman and Lolling's balance for animal care and court costs of $11,566.56, which they were also ordered to pay in Parker's judgement. Ms. Hoffman, who had fought hard for her ideals ... | ||
| Fresno zoo revamps Stingray Bay - Fresno Bee Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:58:00 GMT The zoo also hired a Living Exhibits employee to care for the animals, which include cownose ... rainforest exhibit that features two-toed sloths, rare frogs and toads, birds and a West Indies iguana, was closed then. Tropical Treasures is free to ... | ||
| The Reptile Guy - Niagara Review Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:21:00 GMT As if on cue, his 15-year-old iguana Martin kicks out a hind leg and draws blood ... It won't help me to take care of all these animals if I got a bandaged up hand." London was once one of those kids who wanted snakes and lizards as pets, thinking ... | ||
| Scratching that seedy underbelly - Register-Guard Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:54:00 GMT He doesn’t care if you think he goes over the top ... Who but Cage could regard an iguana sideways in a look of suspicion and disquiet? You need to keep an eye on an iguana. The bastards are always up to something. “Bad Lieutenant” is not about ... |