Sunday, April 6, 2008

Iguana Care - The Basics

If you're after a pet that is different and sure to get lots of attention, then an iguana may be the right one for you. Looking after an iguana is not overly difficult or time consuming once you have organized a suitable habitat and understood the basics of iguana care. Some things to consider before you bring your pet iguana home include the following.

When feeding your iguana you should only feed it fruits and vegetables. Even though they may eat insects or meat if you feed it to them, it is not good for them to do so. Their digestive system will struggle to absorb the high levels of protein found in these foods and it can lead to health problems for your pet.

It is not true that you must feed your pet iguana meat for it to grow really big. By sticking to a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables your iguana will not only grow extremely quickly, it will also be healthy and free from many of the diseases that can trouble them.

When either buying or making a home for your pet you need to make sure that you include areas within it that have different temperatures. Iguanas are cold-blooded and will move from one area to another to warm up or cool down. Having one spot where you pet can bask at around 95 degree Fahrenheit will keep them happy too.

The size of your iguanas home is also very important. Iguanas can reach up to 6 feet in length within the first 2 years of their life, so it is important that a prospective iguana owner plan ahead for such a large pet. Keeping your iguana cramped in a small space will not stop it from growing but it will make it unhappy and most probably ill.

Lastly, all iguanas need ultra violet light. This helps their bodies make vitamin D3 which aids in the absorption of calcium, needed for strong bones and teeth. You should give your pet as much time outside in the sun as possible as well as provide a secondary artificial source within your iguana enclosure.

These are the basics of proper iguana care and are a bare minimum that any iguana owner should know. It is highly recommended to anyone considering getting an iguana as a pet that they learn as much as they can before bringing your new pet home.


Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com/Article/Iguana-Care---The-Basics/67030

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