Introduction
According to Matt Davies Harmony Communities, iguanas have risen in popularity in recent years due to their unique looks, calm demeanor, and how rare they are. However, caring for an iguana isn’t simple since they require tailored living environments and a very specific diet. Let’s check out iguana house necessities.
The Necessities
- The enclosure – If you have a juvenile iguana, you can start small with a 20-gallon tank. An average iguana would grow up to 5 feet long. However, larger male iguanas can grow over 6 feet long and weigh around 20 pounds when housed and fed properly. As your iguana grows, you must transfer it to larger tanks and craft the environment for both vertical and horizontal movement. Otherwise, you can invest in a larger tank from the start and save cash in the long run.
- Building the habitat – Iguanas need horizontal areas for exploring, eating, walking around, drinking, defecating, and more. They need vertical areas like a branch where they can climb up for basking in heat and light and create the necessary vitamins for their body. You may consult your local pet store or vet while building the environment for your pet iguana. The usual options for facilitating vertical movement are disinfected and pest-free tree branches from the pet store. If you decide to get a branch from a backyard tree, it may contain toxic substances.
Usually, most iguana owners go with glass or plastic fiber enclosures with decent ventilation. Before you build the environment, you need to clean and disinfect the enclosure thoroughly and screen it properly to prevent the iguana from escaping. You may put a black strip in the enclosure at the iguana’s eye level so that it doesn’t rub its nose on the glass and develop sores on its face. The black strip acts as a visual barrier that lets the iguana know the limits of its enclosure.
- Bedding – When it comes to the bedding material or substrate it must be made from non-toxic materials and should be easy to disinfect and clean. For that, you can use butcher paper, newspaper, artificial grass for reptiles, commercially available paper pellets, and other such suitable substrates for reptiles. Avoid gravel, sand, corn cobs, wood shavings, and other such materials that may lead to gastrointestinal tract obstructions if the iguana decides to feed on them.
- Heat source – Like most reptiles, iguanas are ectotherms and depend on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. The heat in their environment is also responsible for their overall activity levels. That’s why an iguana enclosure should have a range of temperatures. You can achieve that by placing a heat-emitting bulb on the other end of the tank from the iguana’s shelter. You may also place a heating pad with variable temperature control under the substrate.
Conclusion
Matt Davies Harmony Communities suggests that you follow the above-mentioned tips while building accommodations for your pet iguana. It’s important to provide them with proper lighting and create a suitable environment where they can thrive.
