Everyone has the misconception that Iguanas are one of the hardest pets to take care of due to the specific requirements in captivity. You have to understand that Iguanas in their wild life have these requirements and lead a healthy life. It is necessary to provide proper cage for Iguanas which is called Iguana terrariums.
Before creating a cage for Iguanas, you must know the behavior, living habitats of the Iguana. Also you have to understand about its food habits also.
Iguanas are cold blooded animals and they are highly dependent on their immediate environment in order to function properly. In the wild, an Iguana will ask for two to three hours in the sun, just so it can excrete the waste generated from yesterday’s meals.
Iguanas won’t be able to eat, digest, and excrete waste without a consistent source of heat. Wild Iguanas are also known for spending most of their days on the branches of trees. They rarely come down to the ground if they don’t have to, because they are arboreal or tree-dwelling reptiles.
Iguanas take different plants to feed, roam around for different plants and get all the nutrients they need. It is no small wonder that Iguanas of all shapes and sizes can be found (also in abundance) in tropical territories because tropical rainforests are extremely abundant in plant matter.
Iguana terrarium is somewhat different from other reptiles’ terrarium. You should provide branches to climb over and you have to give proper environment which should not be too cold or too hot. It is essential to have water sources around Iguana terrarium.
If you want to build an adequate cage for Iguana, there are some points that you have to keep in mind:
1. Adult Iguanas can grow up to six feet in length. If you take care of your Iguana well, it will most likely grow up to at least four feet in length.
So your Iguana terrarium has to be at least twice as long as your Iguana. It is alright to start off with a small aquarium in the beginning, but over time, you will have to create a special cage for Iguana to a larger enclosure.
2. A mesh enclosure is fine if you live in a relatively warm part of the country. But if you live in a state where temperatures are very cool (below 79 degrees Fahrenheit on most days), it is better to have large glass Iguana terrarium, because glass is capable of keeping heat in.
You will also have to install heating lamps and UVB lamps to supply the reptile with ultraviolet rays and heat. UV rays are needed for calcium-related metabolism. Heat is needed to warm the reptile’s body enough so he will be able to function well.
3. Since Iguanas are tree-dwelling reptiles, climbing structures will also have to be installed in the Iguana terrarium. Climbing structures have to be wide enough and strong enough, to support your Iguana. If you purchased an adult Iguana that is around four to five feet in length, the reptile probably weighs close to five kilos.
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