Building An Iguana cage - 6 Tips!

Iguanas are wild creatures that prefer to live in wide and large ecosystem. They stay high in the trees.

It is more for safety that they spend their day high up in trees, far away from predators and enemies. Iguanas have the talent to hide away from enemies. This is because they can jump from a great height without getting hurt.

Today, their lives are in danger. They are being eaten and caught by wild animals. Thus it is our duty to preserve them.

You can help iguanas from getting extinct in case you are a pet or animal lover by saving them from their predators. They can be taken as pets and brought up with great care and affection.

But this would need proper planning, here are some preliminary measures that have to be taken.

The first and foremost thing is to build an enclosure or a cage building an enclosure or cage. This can be done only if they feel home in the new cage you build.

Here are few tricks in building a nice home for you Iguanas:

1. Search for an enclosure that is secured and spacious. A big closet or a large room will be nice place where in they can roam. Artificial branches and plants can be hung for it to have the feel of a wild environment. The size should vary with age of the Iguana. A cage with no hole will be fine, else there are chances for them to escape. Once it grows you can keep changing the atmosphere to fit its requirement. This can be done once it gets habituated with the new home.
2. The air circulation is an important factor that has to be considered. A cheap comfy closet will be perfect to satisfy the need. For regulation of air a low-cost, quiet and a small fan can be used. The mildew can be prevented if there is proper regulation in the new cage. The humidity and temperature of the cage can be raised with circulation. The walls can be washed using bleach and water if in case a problem with mildew occurs.
3. A heating pad can be used in the night time to warm up the atmosphere. A bulb consuming less electricity can be used. A 75 watt light would do the job.
4. Give your Iguana time to adapt to the new home. They might hurt themselves or traumatize in a new home. Their reaction would be by scratching and rubbing the walls. It will be better that you spend the first few days with your Iguana. Try to create a bond with the pet till it gets used to the new environment.
5. The electrical connections have to be carefully placed. They are very intrusive creatures, you will find them trying to climb and jump hot light equipments and accessible wirings.
6.  Lastly, keep the cage far away from pests. The left over foods should be removed as early as possible.

The process of building a home for Iguana can fun and simple. You will have an accurate for your Iguana by just following the above given steps.

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The Iguana Cage

Iguanas are usually small in size. But sometimes they are so huge in size that they would require more space to roam about. Thus you need to learn to build a proper cage.

The aspect to be given importance is the size. The cage must be very spacious because they are reptiles who originally belong to the wild life.

There are people who believe that the growth of Iguana can be restricted to the size of the cage. This concept seems silly and is definitely untrue. The growth of Iguanas is faster in the first quarter and slows down gradually.

So it is better to make sure that proper space and resources are available before you buy an Iguana. Consider this; a newly born Iguana can fill a 60 gallon spaced aquarium in just a year's healthy growth.

A small and tiny cage is sufficient for an Iguana from its birth to a period of six months. A tiny aquarium is enough but you should be mentally ready to invest for the second time because after 6 months of age Iguana grows at a faster pace.

The humidity and temperature of the cage must also be considered before you build one. Iguanas are generally cold blooded so it must be ensured that the cage is warm enough and at the same time not too hot.

The installation of a basking point with temperature varying from 89 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit must not be forgotten and air temperature must be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Different parts of the cage should have different temperatures for the regulation of air and for the stability of body temperature.

Fluorescent tubes or mercury vapor lamps can be used to provide such conditions. The usage of hot rocks is also suggested. This idea is definitely against vegetarians. If they burn Iguana then it might culminate to severe bruises and infection or even death.

The cage should be assisted with proper humidity. A humidity range of 65 to 70 will do for an appropriate Iguana cage. A humidifier can do the job of providing necessary level of humidity. If not affordable, spraying water at regular intervals would be just fine.

The humidity can also be controlled by placing a big bowl of water in the cage.

The digestion process is assisted by certain lighting conditions in the cage. This helps in their survival. Sunrays contain ultra violet light that assists the growth of the Iguana. They perform several functions given below.

UVB and UVA lights are required in large amounts for their survival. The UVB helps in producing the vitamin D3 that is an important component required for the digestion process. The UVA promotes their natural behavior.

The most accessible and cheap way to provide UV rays is by letting sunlight into the cage. By providing windows the can be exposed to sunlight. These are certain aspects to note.

It is tough to create such a cage like that of a biodiversity at home but if these help in their healthy survival, they can as well be provided happily.

In case you decide to have a giant Iguana as a pet then one has to be mentally prepared for the arrangements he or she has to make. They are already on the verge of becoming extinct and hence buying them and not treating them well will not be fair on our part. So decide well before you are sure to have an Iguana as a pet.

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Green Iguanas Myths

There are many myths related to green iguanas. Many of these myths can prove quite harmful to the iguanas as it can interfere with the ability of a person to take care of the iguana. Many of these do not prove to be harmful but a few of these can prove vital to the healthy well being of an iguana. The following are a few common myths related to iguanas which you should give some importance to:

1. Green iguanas can be fed with lettuce – it is also partly right. It can be fed with lettuce with no second thought since vegetarian diets are best suited for iguanas. But you should be careful on not to make it a regular diet as most of the salad lettuce have only a little amount of nutritional value. Many realize this when it is already late to have a change in the diet of the iguana. A main reason for this is that a green iguana used to lettuce as its main diet will continue to feed on lettuce even if its diet is added with better food. Vegetables with high nutritional value such as turnip greens, collards and mustard greens must be added to your iguana’s main diet if you are focusing on the proper care of the iguanas.
2. Iguana’s growth will be constrained to the size of their cages – many people have this notion that if you keep iguanas in smaller cages then they will have shunted growth. To keep their iguana in handy sizes, definitely this idea will not work in the case of the green iguanas. A healthy green iguana which has been taken care of properly can show a growth of up to six feet. Hence keeping green iguanas in smaller cages will make its life very uncomfortable.
3. 3) Gravel is consumed by iguanas to help in their digestion – this myth is one of the most dangerous. To help their green iguanas in digesting its food, many people place gravel or small pebble to its enclosure. But accidental consumption of these materials may end up killing your iguana. Therefore accidental or purposely feeding gravel to your iguanas should be avoided.
4. Hot rocks are the best for heating – a few cages of green iguanas contain hot rocks as a few people think hot rocks will help maintain iguana’s body temperature. You should keep in mind that iguanas are actually cold blooded animals and when they are very close to hot rocks they have a risk of being cooked to death. The best heating equipment for your green iguana cages would be the special lighting which is available at most of the pet stores.
5. Pet food, insects and many animal products can be a part of iguana’s diet – many of them still say that iguanas should also be provided with animal proteins. However green iguanas are best kept on herbivorous diets. The metabolism and the body of a green iguana are best destined to utilize plant products most effectively. Animal proteins can pose many health problems to it. Gouts will be developed iguanas on the excessive diet of animal proteins.Serious kidney problems will also be a part of it. Wild iguanas eat insects only due to accidental mix up with its food.

These are just a few of the most important myths related to green iguanas. These truths about myths will help you to give best care to your green iguanas.

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Giant Green Iguana

The "in" thing among the reptile family is the giant green Iguanas. They are the most known reptiles that are in most households taken care of and are held captive in many places. So it is not going to be surprising if the demand for these giant Iguanas goes above that of the usual dogs or cats.

The word "giant" makes us to imagine a real huge Iguana. But they are the normal size when young and then they slowly grow to their maximum size. Hence it would be a waste to get the young ones accessories that can turn up worthless.

Thus the giant green Iguanas don't mean the literal sense. They grow to their maximum size only if one knows how to bring them up. Let's see about how we can do that.

A healthiest Iguana has to chosen for a start. Alert and active Iguanas can be considered to be healthy because such features can be easily found. Their body parts and others have to be checked. They must be carefully chosen without scratches, lumps or bumps. They should basically appear round and healthy to a lay man's eye.

The difference between a healthy and an unhealthy  Iguana  can be found out in their movements. A stagnant and dormant Iguana shows they aren't healthy. A very curious and active Iguana can be easily found out. You can find them constantly roaming in search of something or the other. Their eyes appear round and the tongue must flick constantly in and out.

The selection should not be on the basis of calm and composed nature of Iguanas thinking it will help us in bringing them up easily. Picking a sick Iguana with pity should as well not be done. These reptiles may even remain sick throughout. Hence it is important to chose an active Iguana as a pet.

The next criterion to be thought of is to give it a comfortable and suitable home. The size of the aquarium will depend upon the size and bulkiness of your Iguana. The young ones would require around 10 to 30 galloon aquarium.

A ready made cage would be the best idea to start off with. It will help in lessening the transfer aspects as your Iguana grows. Transferring from cage to cage would be difficult at one point of time. Even if the cage seems too large it will become apt at a stage. Because as Iguanas grow bigger and bigger they would require larger room to roam about.

The aspect of food is very important when it comes to bringing up Iguanas. The young ones have to be invariably fed everyday. At later stages the food can be restricted to once in two days depending upon the situation.

Feeding them green leafy plants would be preferred than non vegetarian stuff. A balanced and healthy diet is ensured this way. Care should be taken in feeding else problems like fat, lazy and obese.

Female Iguanas usually don't eat the food we serve. This usually happens when they are about to give birth. The lost appetite returns after the process of laying eggs. It is good to have your Iguanas thin and energetic.

When the necessary steps are taken you can find your Iguana growing healthy and active. It is important that you act on every aspect to give your Iguana a greater lifespan.

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Albino Iguana- Learning To Feed Them

Albino Iguanas rely on environment for survival. They are creatures that are very sensitive. Albino iguana as a pet has to be properly treated in every aspect that it survives in you captivity.

The important factor for bringing them up is the food that they must be given. Feeding them appropriate is the responsibility of the owner. They must be taken proper care. The following paragraphs give a detail on what, when, how and where an Albino Iguana should be fed.

Scientifically Iguanas are herbivores and hence their diet should mainly contain green leafy plants. But still, there are people who feed their iguanas with animal proteinacious  food and insects. They are very sensitive and even a minor fault can cause a major disorder.

It is only by accident that Iguanas eat insects. When there are insects on the plant that iguana feeds on then it so happens that they ultimately consume both. This is what we see on magazines and televisions. They are proven to be herbivores.

Vegetables are recommended to be fed than insects and animal proteins. These are valuable suggestions given by veterinarians and experts. The physical health of your Iguana can be improved this way.

Albino iguanas also require water, hence make sure that you provide them clean water. While drinking water they usually dip their heads into the glass, so make sure that you provide it a tall glass of fresh water. They can sometimes be seen quenching thirst by licking off small droplets of water from plants.

Fresh water must always be supplied to iguanas. They must not be fed with remaining vegetables because there are chances for their digestive systems to be affected. It might culminate to a sickness or sometimes death.

A regular basis should be taken to feed iguanas. It has to be fed everyday and the most appropriate time to feed it would be an hour after it is awake. Feeding at regular intervals throughout the day can be done but in small quantities. It should never be fed immense before sleep.

Feeding them in the morning helps in the process of digestion. The morning temperature is the most suitable and it gives the right environment for the digestion of food.

The bulkiness and size of the Iguana will give you an idea about how much you have to feed them. You can feed them how much ever they want. This will also help you note their appetite.

Food for Albino Iguanas should be given in shallow bowls made of plastic, glass or ceramic and must be regularly cleaned. It should be sturdy to hold it and should be safe from tripping.

There are varieties of leafy vegetables available hence you can feed them interesting. This will make them feel home and healthy. They are known to consume variety of wild flowers and fruits.

It is important that a proper sunshine and lighting is made available for Iguanas. Sunrays have calcium that help them digest their food.

Thus feed the Albino iguana the right food and in proper amounts to keep them hail and healthy.

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The Rhinoceros Iguanas

One of the largest of all the iguanas, rhinoceros iguanas can reach four feet in length. Their name is attributed to the three horn-like outgrowths on the end of their nose. They are gray or olive green in color, with dark cross bands, which blends in with the rocks of their natural habitat. As cold-blooded reptiles, these iguanas must warm up under the sun before being active during the day (diurnal.) Iguanas of the cyclura genus are found on many Caribbean islands, but the rhinoceros iguana is found only in the islands of Haiti and the Dominican republic.

Rhinoceros iguanas eat leaves, flowers and fruit. They have been observed to eat insects, land crabs, eggs. They are normally ground dwelling lizard, but they will climb trees at times to eat leaves and fruits.

They are primarily found near coastlines of Hispaniola in Haiti. However, due to due human civilization, many were forced to relocate inland. Majority of the populations live in the southern portions of the Dominican Republic. Smaller populations live in neighboring Haiti. They are protected and a threatened species in the Dominican Republic. In Haiti, where they are sometimes hunted for food or local trade.

Habitat destruction and hunting for food and trade constitutes the largest threat to the rhinoceros iguana.

Caring for Rhino Iguanas as Pets
A rhino iguana may require a standard 30 - 50 gallon tank.  But as it grows, a custom-built cage may be necessary.  The size of the cage will depend on the size of the iguana.  To compute for the ideal size for a particular iguana:  cage length is one and one half of the lizard length; width is two thirds of the lizard length; height may be equal to the lizard length.  A higher cage though may be preferred as iguanas love to climb and stay up. Branches may be set-up inside the cage for their climbing necessities.  Choose branches that will match the size your iguana.

Rhino iguanas need to heat their bodies to properly digest food and to help them fight diseases. A thermometer may be used to monitor the temperature in any enclosed area.  Ideal temperature should reach around 85 degrees Fahrenheit.  Additional heat may be supplied by a spotlight, heat tape or any undertank heaters.  Hot rocks are not recommended for they can damage your iguana's skin and may even cause serious burns.

Lighting is a must for iguanas.  Full-spectrum bulbs help produce Vitamin D3 helping iguanas in their calcium absorption.  However, recent studies show that no artificial lighting can ever duplicate the benefits derived from natural sunlight.   It is therefore recommended that iguanas be exposed to natural sunlight on a regular basis.  Natural sunlight coupled with good diet is the cheaper way to raise rhino iguana.  Be wary though not to expose the iguana to sunlight while inside the aquarium as the temperature rise inside may be lethal.

Proper feeding must always be a major consideration in handling your rhino iguanas.  Always remember that the health and well-being of your pet iguana will largely depend on the kind of food that you give them.  Iguanas require a diet rich in Vitamin D3, calcium and phosphorus. Good source for these are greens such as mustard greens, dandelion greens and turnip greens. Iguanas are by nature, herbivores.  They are plant eaters.  Dog food, cat food and human food should be avoided.  These are not good for the iguanas and can result to kidney failure at their young age.  Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and cabbages can be given but in small amounts. These vegetables can cause thyroid problem if frequently given.  Spinach is also not good for them, it binds calcium.  Other vegetables such as zucchini and squash, and other fruits, like raspberries, blackberries and bananas can be added to their diet.

While it is important to monitor the temperature surrounding of the rhino iguana, it is equally important to check on the humidity.  They need water and humidity.  Regular misting or a humidifier will help maintain humidity to proper level. Ideally, enclosures should maintain humidity level of about 95 - 100 percent.  A gauge which monitors both temperature and humidity can help address this monitoring.

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Red Iguana And Their Care

The iguana family is considered the largest among the lizard families. Though the most common are green iguanas, there are also those with different colors including the red iguanas. One of the most popular red iguanas is the red-side skink. These are found in the forest habitat of Southern and Eastern Africa.

Caring for the Red Iguana
A red Iguana can stay in a 30 gallon aquarium. They may vary in size and styles made of glass, metal or wood. The basic requirement for keeping their cage is cleanliness. Keep it free from dirt, soil and loose barks as they may be contaminated and the iguana may ingest them. They must be supplied with appropriate supply of food and water. The cage must be provided with branches and twigs, rocks but must be disinfected to prevent infections.

Iguanas must be properly groomed. Bathing is a pleasant activity. It can be done using lukewarm water. Care must be given as not to surprise or panic iguanas during bathing.

Iguanas must be handled carefully and frequently to tame them. They show fondness on the pet owners who handles them regularly. They should be touched and held gently 3 times a day for fifteen minutes each. They like being stroke on their back and neck. However, be mindful that Iguanas are animals, that they can be aggressive at times. It may take patience and consistency in taming them.

Iguanas are herbivores so they should be fed with varieties of vegetables and fruits. The majority of the food intake must be more on the leafy vegetables. Limitation must be on protein rich foods. They should be fed everyday.

Water is very essential so it must be readily available. Normally they get water content only through the plants they consume. They need water regularly to prevent being dehydrated as they expose themselves to the required body heat.

If proper care and diet is not given to Iguanas, they may contract disease. Some of the ailments that iguanas may contract are:

Back leg and tail paralysis - This is due to vitamin B1 deficiency. This needs Veterinarian attention who will administer injection of essential vitamin and minerals.

Nose Abrasions - Attempts to get out of their cage may cause abrasions to their nose and face. Usually they rub their noses on the corners of their aquarium. The abrasions may be caused by broken glass, wires, loose metals, pointed objects. This may be avoided regular inspection of their cage and removing any potential harm to the iguana.

Heat Injuries - These are usually acquired due to contact with heating apparatus provided for the iguanas for their cage. Typical causes are hot light bulbs, hot rocks. Care and attention must be observed in installing heat supply for the cage.

Bacterial Infection - This can set in generally if the cage is unkempt, damp and dirty. Gangrene may set in with their toes and tails where the bacteria usually attack.

Parasites - As a result also of unsanitized surrounding and unsanitary food preparation. Parasites may settle in the internal organs of the iguana like the gastrointestinal tract. This case may cause death if left untreated in the early stage.

Organ failure - Organ failure may set in due to age. But that comes after a decade or more. This can occur also due to bacterial infection. Symptoms will be weight loss, loss of appetite, inactivity and bloating.

Egg Binding - This is typical to female iguanas when they fail to let their eggs come out of their reproductive tracts.

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Pet Iguanas

Iguanas are one of the most popular reptile pets in the world. As required for pet owners to acquire animals for caring, they need to learn the characteristics of the reptile from its anatomy, feeding requirement and habitat.

The enthusiasm one has for a new pet of any kind often wears off quickly if the animal is no longer healthy and finds them experiencing problems. It only takes understanding and education to prevent those problems to make life easy and happy for both owners and pets

If you have already decided to obtain an Iguana as a pet, there are a few facts to keep in mind. The longevity of the animal is up to 15 years in captivity, the size of adults reach up to 6 feet in length. There are basic and important dietary requirements to consider.  It is also important to understand that these animals are capable of inflicting injury on their owners. Though it is established there are more cases domestic dog biting than there are the number of Iguanas in the United States, it is safe to bear in mind that the iguana pet is a wild animal regardless of how much you think it is not.

The availability of farm raised Iguanas from Central and South America has drastically reduced the price, increased the quantity available, and generally increased the health of the babies arriving into the United States as well as other countries.   These facts make it easier than ever to obtain a healthy animal to start, or to expand your reptilian collection!

The area that needs major attention is the diet of Iguanas. As popularly known, the iguanas are herbivore. To be more specific Iguana is actually a folivore, which means animals that primarily eat leaves.  It's natural habitat are branches of trees and there is no evidence that Iguanas, young or old, eat insects etc. For they do not possess any predatory capability like jumping or quick movements to capture fast moving insects.  Besides iguana simply cannot properly metabolize anything other than leaves.  Iguana has a digestive system that is known as a "Hind- Gut fermenter".  Meaning they use the lower intestinal tract to produce vitamins and absorb it's ingested food.   Fiber is a critical component of their diet.  It changes as the animal matures. Approximately, fiber should be no less than 16% of their diet.

Body temperature plays an important role for Iguanas to digest their foods.  In their habitat the Iguanas seek a sunny basking spot to raise their body temperatures to around 98 degrees Fahrenheit.   When they achieve the required body temperature they will begin to feed. The proper body temperature helps the animal in digesting its food.

During captivity, it is important to provide pet iguanas with the proper heating equipment to maintain required temperature.

The rate at which Iguanas eat is a function of its health, environment and age.

If junk foods are for children, junk food for the Iguanas is fruits.  It is equally as hard to get most common Iguanas to eat their greens instead of cantaloupe.

Dark leafy greens comprise the majority of Iguana's diet.   Minimize intake of spinach, parsley and kale. These greens contain oxalate which blocks Iguana's ability to absorb calcium.  There is still ongoing research proves this issue, but it is probably safe to avoid these greens.

Young iguanas should be fed daily.  In their natural habitat, these animals feed several times per day.  As they mature the frequency of meals decreases.   They have no ability to chew food; they bite off chunks of greenery and swallow it whole.  Therefore in captivity, It is important to chop all their food to a size that can be handled by your iguanas.

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Iguana's Ecological Environment

Green iguanas are known to be the most popular and largest lizard pet that inhabits primarily in most of the U.S.A. Their natural habitat is located in tropical forests in Central and South Africa, the Caribbean  and Eastern Pacific. They are also a natural breed in Florida and Hawaii .

Physical Attributes of the Green Iguana

After being hatched as a baby iguana their length is already about 17 to 25 centimeters. The reptile could grow fast at a rate of achieving 5 to 7 ft in 4 years provided they are given the right nutrition and caring as a pet. Its weight on the other hand could reach up to weight of 4 to 8 kg .

The color green of green iguanas are achieved upon adulthood. At younger stages, their color varies from brown to green. Their color also changes depending on their mood, temperature and health condition.

One of the trademark features of an iguana is its dewlap located below the throat. This is more prominent in the males than the female green iguanas.

The eyes of the iguanas are in lateral position with respect to their head. Meaning they are at the sides like those of fish. One unique about the iguana is its possession of a third eye. This photo sensory organ is also responsible for triggering hormone production for reproduction. Sensitive to light changes, it does recognize images, having only a rudimentary retina and lens. It is visible as a gray or white spot on the top of some lizard's heads referred to as "pineal eye" or "third eye."

Green iguanas love to stay on top of trees. The young iguanas tend to stay at the lower part of the trees, while the older ones prefer the top canopies to hunt for food and get more sunlight. They love waters. They stay on trees near a body of water, as it is their way of escape from their predator.

The females only go down the tree to dig its burrows and lay eggs. The burrows are dug to about 45 cm to 1m deep. It takes 65 days from conception before an iguana lays its eggs.  It takes them about 3 days to lay which could total from 10 to 30 eggs. The size and quantity of the eggs depends on the mother iguana's size. They are sociable mothers who shares nest with other iguanas especially when there are limited available spots for nesting. Unlike other egg laying animals, iguanas does not brood its egg. They just get back to the nest regularly to inspect. The incubation period lasts to about 90 to 120 days. Temperature ranges from 85 to 91 deg F. The hatchlings use their special teeth called caruncle to crack their eggs.

Iguanas could live at an average of 10 to 12 years up to a maximum of 20 years if they are fed and taken cared of in captivity. Iguanas that live in the wilds are believed to survive its harsh environment only to about 8 years. Care and proper nutrition must be observed in keeping the iguanas as pets. They require a diet of vegetables and fruits rich in Phosphorous, Calcium and vitamin D. Bananas rich in Potassium is a favorite.

Room temperature that must be observed must be 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking temperature they need from the sun ranges from 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit while the regular air temperature they are accustomed is no lower than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Being cold blooded reptiles, they need that much heat. It is part of their normal body metabolism especially their digestive system. Without the proper surrounding temperature, iguanas will not be able to digest their food properly and trigger to cause illness which may compound to more health issues eventually. Iguanas like other animals do sleep. Therefore it is necessary that his surroundings be able to provide total darkness during the night without jeopardizing the required temperature.

Iguanas must not be allowed to roam free around the house in cold places and live on its own. They might be exposed to long period of cold temperature only to find out it is too late the reverse the situation. By the time the problem is noticed these pet may have already contracted bone diseases that are often incurable.

Iguanas eat leaves and flowers. If you feed them with diet that is too rich in protein and carbohydrates, they will soon become unhealthy and sickly

It is necessary to replicate iguanas' natural habitat to ensure their survival in their protective artificial homes. Before deciding to keep an iguana, acquire first the knowledge about its biophysical anatomy, healthcare, eating traits and food requirements. Lastly and most important, learn the basics of its surroundings and provide an accurate replication of its natural environment.

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Characterizing The Green Iguanas

Green iguanas are known to be the most popular and largest lizard pet that inhabits primarily in most of the U.S.A. Their natural habitat is located in tropical forests in Central and South Africa, the Caribbean  and Eastern Pacific. They are also a natural breed in Florida and Hawaii .

Physical Attributes of the Green Iguana

After being hatched as a baby iguana their length is already about 17 to 25 centimeters. The reptile could grow fast at a rate of achieving 5 to 7 ft in 4 years provided they are given the right nutrition and caring as a pet. Its weight on the other hand could reach up to weight of 4 to 8 kg .

The color green of green iguanas are achieved upon adulthood. At younger stages, their color varies from brown to green. Their color also changes depending on their mood, temperature and health condition.

One of the trademark features of an iguana is its dewlap located below the throat. This is more prominent in the males than the female green iguanas.

The eyes of the iguanas are in lateral position with respect to their head. Meaning they are at the sides like those of fish. One unique about the iguana is its possession of a third eye. This photo sensory organ is also responsible for triggering hormone production for reproduction. Sensitive to light changes, it does recognize images, having only a rudimentary retina and lens. It is visible as a gray or white spot on the top of some lizard's heads referred to as "pineal eye" or "third eye."

Green iguanas love to stay on top of trees. The young iguanas tend to stay at the lower part of the trees, while the older ones prefer the top canopies to hunt for food and get more sunlight. They love waters. They stay on trees near a body of water, as it is their way of escape from their predator.

The females only go down the tree to dig its burrows and lay eggs. The burrows are dug to about 45 cm to 1m deep. It takes 65 days from conception before an iguana lays its eggs.  It takes them about 3 days to lay which could total from 10 to 30 eggs. The size and quantity of the eggs depends on the mother iguana's size. They are sociable mothers who shares nest with other iguanas especially when there are limited available spots for nesting. Unlike other egg laying animals, iguanas does not brood its egg. They just get back to the nest regularly to inspect. The incubation period lasts to about 90 to 120 days. Temperature ranges from 85 to 91 deg F. The hatchlings use their special teeth called caruncle to crack their eggs.

Iguanas could live at an average of 10 to 12 years up to a maximum of 20 years if they are fed and taken cared of in captivity. Iguanas that live in the wilds are believed to survive its harsh environment only to about 8 years. Care and proper nutrition must be observed in keeping the iguanas as pets. They require a diet of vegetables and fruits rich in Phosphorous, Calcium and vitamin D. Bananas rich in Potassium is a favorite.

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Portrayal Of Marine Iguanas

Land iguanas live on trees and stays on top to bask in the sun to normalize their body temperature. They are look similar to and could be mistaken as ordinary lizards if not for its size which is much larger. These tree dwelling lizards are agile and are good swimmers. Most often they stay on trees where there is a body of water nearby. The water is always its escape when they are threatened by predators. Being fast movers they also transfer from one place to the other. Sometimes they can be spotted crossing a road.

The Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) however moved not as fast but they are better swimmers and they stay in seawater coastlines as their home because they live on eating algae. The iguana can only be found only on the Galapagos Islands The entire coastline is inhabited by marine iguanas. Their ability is unique among modern lizards, to live and forage in the sea. It has spread to all the islands in the archipelago and is sometimes called the Galapagos Marine Iguana. It lives on the rocks of the Galapagos shore and can be seen in marshes or mangrove beaches.

Amblyrhynchus cristatus are mostly black but the young have lighter color and a dorsal stripe. Adult specimens appear in grayish color. Scientists explain that marine iguanas have to have dark black emerge from water. They feed on marine algae almost entirely. It is brilliant that they are designed to expel salt through nasal glands. The expelled salt coating could make their faces white. Adult males vary in color according to season. During breeding season, male adults in the south appear as reddish and teal-green colors while it is brick red and black in Sta Cruz Island and in brick red and greenish in Fernandina Islands.

The marine iguanas living in the Galapagos differ in size according to their host islands. Those in the Fernandina and Isabella islands are the largest, while those on the Genovese Island are the smallest. Adult male’s length may reach up to 1.3 m long while females could be around 0.6 m. They may weigh up to 1.5 kg.

Marine iguanas may also vary in their size according to varying food conditions. When algae decreased for a period of two years during an El Nino, Their length size decreases to as much as 20%. When the food supply normalized, their lengths returned to regular size. It is believed that their bones shrink during those periods of food shortage.

The marine iguana can only stay a limited period in water as to hunt for algae as they are cold blooded animals. However, if they search for food around shallow waters, they could stay up to half an hour and underwater. After each dive, they return to the shore and bask under the sun to normalize body temperature. When cold, the marine iguanas tend to be more aggressive. Actually that is their defense mechanism because in reality, as their body is cold from under the water, they cannot move fast and avoid predators. So they become aggressive when anyone approaches them.

The main predators of marine iguanas are cats and dogs. They are easy victims as these lizards moves very slow. The population of the marine iguanas in the Galapagos Island is dwindling because of predation and El Nino. They are estimated at 50,000 to 100,000. The species is protected by Ecuadorian laws.

Scientists believe that land and marine iguanas may have evolved from common ancestor. Other opinions claim that they may have evolved from an extinct sea reptile.

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Health Care For Iguanas

If Iguanas are acquired for being a pet, the owner must be prepared to accept a responsibility of really taking good care of it. Just as a family decides in adopting a child from an orphanage, the new parents must have basic knowledge of how to rear children, how to nurture them not just physically but emotionally as well. In the case of the new pet owner of an Iguana, he/she must be able to provide the necessary caring, attention, health and atmosphere. An atmosphere that the iguana is really home close to the likeness of his natural habitat.

Some of the common illnesses are as follows:

1. Fibrous Osteodystrophy - Also known as Metabolic bone disease. Symptoms of this ailment are swollen jaw, swollen limbs, loss of alertness and appetite, inactiveness and fracture on the spine or limbs. If not properly treated, the problem may even lead o death.  This disease is acquired through improper nutrition in feeding iguanas. They may be fed alright, but if the food being ingested are not the correct ones, they may still be prone to this disease. To prevent this from happening, the food requirements must be fruits and vegetables rich in calcium, phosphorous, potassium and Vitamins B and  D.
2. Tail and Back leg Paralysis - Paralysis of the tail and back legs usually occurs for iguanas due to lack of vitamin b1. Major cases need immediate treatment through injection of essential vitamins and minerals. To prevent recurrence, maintenance of vitamin supplements must be provided.
3. Abrasions on the mouth and nose - Abrasions leading to bacterial infection, rostrum ulceration and deformities. This problem arises when iguanas become uneasy or are agitated and they try to escape from its cage.
4. Burns - This is associated with the heating and lighting equipment installed in or near the cage of the pet iguana. There is no better way to prevent this than making sure all such peripherals are installed safely away from the iguana's reach. For treatment, tap water at room temp to cool down  minor burns and dry it keep it in a cool dry place. For major burns, apply burn ointment to prevent infection and see a Vet at as soon as immediately.
5. Bacterial Infection - This occurs when two or more improper factors are disregarded. First one is when the pet is not well tended, not fed with correct nutrition. Second is when it acquires sores or cuts because of the 1st problem. Third combines with the two which is the filth and unhygienic surrounding of the pet cage. Then the iguana has the perfect equation to derive bacterial infection. Bacterial infection requires Veterinarian attention. The 4th problem is trying to play a Doctor and try to give iguana the medicines out of guessing and assumptions.
6. Bladder and gout stones are acquired when iguanas are fed with too much protein from insects. Protein is harder to process by their digestive system and so it crystallizes and form stones. These stones harms the internal organs and cause infection. A symptom of this disease is enlarged abdomen.
7. Egg binding - This happens to pregnant females when their laying of eggs are distracted and gets trapped through its reproductive tracks. This is a fatal problem which could cause death. Therefore, it is a must that during laying of its eggs, the iguanas are not to be disturbed.

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How To Take Care Of The Iguanas In Captivity

Iguanas reflect a character of simplicity, patience, peace and endurance. They represent nature, the endangered species and its preservation. They are owned mostly by people who are advocates of nature, native arts and music about nature. They are owned by people whose personality is close to their characters. However, Iguanas are cool pets; they can be owned by any pet lovers young and old. However, to own them requires proper knowledge on their characteristics and how to take care of them.

The following are the important points that need attention

1) Feeding - During the early stage of their life, young Iguanas devour insects as their body need protein. Nevertheless, as they grow old, they require plant foods rich in calcium, phosphorous and potassium. By nature, iguanas are herbivores. They only eat insects as survival instinct when there is no food available in the wilds. Protein is good for the young, but for adults, protein is not advisable because their digestive system will not be able to digest them properly. Being natural herbivores, their digestive track is designed only to process plants, fruits and vegetables. Since they poorly digest proteins, it could crystallize and damage its kidneys and gouts. In fact there was comparative observation between iguanas fed with insects and iguanas fed with vegetables. Those fed with purely vegetables that reach faster growth and lives longer than those who eat insects.

2) Housing - Iguanas must be kept in cages or glass aquarium with ample space for them to move about and contain some branches for them to cling on and exercise their muscles. There must be proper ventilation. It must be always kept clean. Wild as they are, they could still contract infection if attacked by bacteria that thrives on dirt and filth.

3) Environment - The surroundings of the iguanas must reflect its natural habitat. In terms of smell, sound and temperature, the area must be free of pollutants from air and sound. Just imagine that their natural habitat are on top of the trees, with clean air and the ambiance of the flowing water nearby, birds chirping and the cool air breezing unto the leaves. That should be adapted as much as possible if not total clean air and peaceful surroundings only. The temperature must be maintained at 25 to 35 deg C.

4) Light - Iguanas need sunlight but too much exposure is also harmful. They being cold blooded animals need to keep warm. Artificial UVB and UVA light which are controlled automatically are available in the pet shops.

If one is serious in taking care an iguana, he must be very serous too in learning first on its characteristics and he must be prepared to address the necessary requirements to nurture the iguana, reach its full growth potential and remain healthy throughout its lifetime. It is just like being committed to a life that was adopted and it all depends on you to take care of it. Perhaps you need each other, so the man must do its role. He takes care; the iguana remains healthy, grows beautifully and become a symbol of success to its owner.

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How To Pet A Giant Green Iguana

The giant green iguana as its name implies describes that indeed it is a large reptile and ideal for pet lovers who love to take care of large animals. They grow to about the length of 5 to 6 feet on growth rate faster than human growth. It can reach maximum size in only about 4 to 5 years. Its life span can reach to about 12 to 15 years.

The cage for keeping giant green iguanas must be large enough to cover its size with allowance to provide freedom of movement. Ideal size must be twice its length in width and same length in height and width. Approximately this will be about 12 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft.

This large size also gives space for tree branches for the giant green iguanas to stay on and move about for the much needed muscle exercise and mood toning. As much as possible, the cage must contain the likeness of its natural habitat surroundings. Iguanas come from the jungles of tropical exotic forests which are rich in fresh air with no air or noise pollutants.

Iguanas are natural plant eaters but they are also omnivorous meaning they could eat plants and animals alike. They eat leaves, fruits and vegetables. If you put in a cricket inside its cage, it will go hunt for it. However care must be given not to give giant green iguanas with veggies that can be harmful to them like spinach, cauliflower and beets because they contain mild acids that are considered toxic for the lizard. Brussels sprouts are also not good for them because of possible salmonella contamination.

Fruits are also eaten by giant green iguanas. Banana is one of its favorites and its potassium content is important for their growth. Other nutrients that must be ensured for iguanas are vitamin d, phosphorous and calcium. Twice a week, the iguanas must be dispensed with vitamin and mineral supplements since being out in the wild, access to the natural source of such nutrients are not present.

It would be wise to consult regularly with your local veterinarian for advice and maintenance of a pet reptile. It could be a good practice, if your giant green iguana could be taught to ride in you car for the regular doctor visits.

During the mating season, male iguanas tend to become grumpy and aggressive. It would be wise to find a partner for him to get a release of his aggressiveness. During this season on the other hand, female iguanas may lay unfertilized eggs. During this stage, female iguanas are more sensitive and delicate. Care must be given to ensure them of a peaceful and quiet laying of her eggs.

When acquiring giant green iguanas from pet shops because a child requested for it. Pet owners must know what are to be expected including its size, life span, behavior, feeding habits and its desired surroundings. Otherwise the pet may end up unhappy and may die prematurely. The new pet owners must be willing to adapt to its needs as it grows.

From its growing stage, care must be given to them in terms of temperature, environmental state, food intake and supplemental foods and regular visits to its veterinarian.

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