I HAVE A BABY GREEN IGUANA AND I DON'T KNOW WAT TO GET SO PLEASE HELP?

Question

I HAVE A BABY GREEN IGUANA AND I DON'T KNOW WAT TO GET SO PLEASE HELP?

Answer 1

I've actually been in this situation. Someone dropped it off at my house and i had to learn really quickly. First off you'll need a place for it to live. They grow rather quickly so if you get a small home know that pretty soon you will have to get bigger. If possible get a 40 gallon aquarium. That should last for a little while. Another important thing to know is that they can grow to be very large. If possible then try building one. Then you will need to get juvenile iguana food. You can get it at most pet stored. You will need to provide fresh water and food at ALL times. Then you need something for it to climb on. Remember that they love climbing and they love being on high places. For bedding it really depends on your choice. I buy crushed walnut shells(available at many pet stores) you should use whatever works best for you. The most important thing is a heat light. It should be on for about 12 hours a day. They are from very warm areas and love the heat. Occasionally spray it with water. They enjoy that. Go to a pet store and they should be able to tell you what will work the best.Be sure to handle very frequently so it gets used to people. Good Luck

Answer 2

let me give you one important piece of advice: DON'T LEAVE IT OUT IN THE SUN TO SUNBATHE! ! ! ! ! A lot of people kill their iguanas by putting them in the sun because people have the impression that iguanas are desert dwelling lizards. NO THEY ARE NOT! ! ! ! Iguanas are actually tropical, and are from rain forests that are shaded and very moist places. Iguanas can eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and you can feed them crickets, but I heard that might bring out a little aggression in them. I might be wrong, you can double check that. Also, I don't know why but bathing iguanas in gatorade is good for them. Maybe because of the electrolytes in the fluid and maybe their skin absorbs it cause like I said, they are adapted to moist shaded environments. I don't suggest you feed the iguana gatorade though, ask a vet first.  

Answer 3

Iguanas do not need massive amount of things in there enclosures, you should have some fake silk leaves, some branches that you can buy at stores (if you get any outside please soak in bleach/water then bake in over to remove any possible bugs), 2 water dishes, food dish, UVB, heat, right enclosure size, proper food.

Best advise read, read, read, know the things that your iguana can get health wise, learn about aggression, learn about breeding season, even tho you wont know your iguanas s*x til he/she is about a year of age.

Here is a basic information I give to newbie iguana owners:

Young iguana (8-12 months of age) should not live in anything smaller the a 55 gallon tank. Smaller the tank you can not process the correct temps threw out. Enclosure needs to be at least 1.5-2 times it's total length ... an adult you will need a space of 6-7ft tall x 8-10ft long x 4ft wide.

Temps:

never let drop below 70F ...

basking 92-96F if temp is too low digestion is slowed too high food digests too fast and nutrition is lost

medium/middle (overall) 88-92F

cool 75-84F

at night 73-84F ... having a temp gun works the best to know what your igs body temp truly is.

*** NO HEAT ROCKS PLEASE ... they can cause major burns on the under belly ... igs dont feel heat from below so they will sit there not knowing they are burning themselves ***

- Depending on enclosure size, depends on wattage, but for basking light (along w/ UVB tube) you can use a house bulb for heat during the day, you don't have to use one of those costly basking bulbs you buy at the store (night if your house gets below 70 a CHE should be used - produces heat no light)

- Stick on glass thermometers do not work, they can read incorrect, get a good thermometer w/ a probe at the end, and place where your iguana is basking under and at his/her level, you will get more of a correct temp reading

Humidity:

Iguanas are tropical and do need humidity. Spraying/Misting a few times a day will help some, silk fake leaves (bigger then your igs head) will help hold some humidity, having a humidifier or vaporizer next to the tank will help (figure out a way to pipe inside would be better but think child proof also), daily baths will help and learn to go potty in the tub less mess in tank.

UVB: (12 hrs on during day - 12 hrs off during night no light)

US: ReptiSun 10.0 distance 8-10 inches from your igs body

Repti Glo 8.0 distance 6-8 inches from your igs body

ReptiSun 5.0 distance 6-8 inches from your igs body

UK: Arkadia distance 6-8 inches from your igs body

- You will need to adjust the distance as your ig grows

- Using a shop light from a home improvement store works the best, get one that has 2 tube plugs and using 2 UVB tubes

- The UVB listed are in tube form, using the 36-48inch tubes are the best more length for your ig

- Surface under the UVB tube lights need to be a flat surface if at an angle your igs body will not get the proper UVB threw out

- There are UVB's out there on the market now that can cause eye damange to your ig

- W/out UVB your ig may end up w/ MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)

- UVB information that you may find interesting:

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm - http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttube...

Floor covering:

BAD floor covering: bark, dirt, moss, sand, pellets are all bad ... at some point your iguana will try and l**k swallow and then possibly cause blockage which will then need to be surgically removed or possibly death ... SAFE floor covering: newspaper (unprinted), paper towels, towels, vinyl flooring, indoor/outdoor carpeting - if you have any lose fibers from the carpeting or the towels please remove and replace - unprinted newspaper if you possibly can use is safer just in case your ig likes to try and eat the newspaper some ink may contain soy

Food:

Daily food should have 5-7 good staple greens (2-3 cups a day if not more younger igs may eat less then 1/4 cup) ... collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens (if you can find), endive, radicchio, arugula, mache (if you can find), watercress ... some greens to give occasionally kale, bok choy, escarole ... adding basil for young igs sometimes helps them eat ... romaine is mostly water no nutrience, you can add small amount and occasionally in w/ the good staple greens (collard, mustard, etc) but do not make romaine just your iguanas choice of greens (or any other type of lettuce most of us humans eat) ... some things to add (small amounts) snap peas, bell peppers (every now and then), parsnip, sweet potato/yam, acorn squash, butternut squash, buttercup squash ... fruits should only be given every now and then once or twice a week type of thing fruits are like junk food to iguanas ... some fruits to try papay, kiwi, mango, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, honeydew (great water source), canalope (great water source), 12 grain wheat bread ... if anything has seeds make sure you remove seed before you give it to your iguana anyth

Answer 4

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Farm/...