Iguana Facts

There are several iguana facts unknown to many people. A few will be illustrated here. This reptile is commonly found in forests in tropical and subtropical regions, along seashores and even in deserts. Various kinds of iguanas are found in locations such as South America, Canada, the Galapagos Island, Madagascar, the Caribbean Islands, and Central America off the East African coast and Fiji.

An additional iguana fact is that iguanas constitute the largest section of the lizard family. It is by far the most common and popular reptile. Their characteristics such as laying eggs are common to reptiles. Furthermore, their cold-blooded nature allows them to easily adapt to their environments.

The different types of iguana species vary greatly in characteristics. They differ in size, behavior and even color. However, they are an endangered species in the wild. The green iguana and red iguana are the more familiar of the iguanas and are also still present in very large numbers. However, the Brachylophus vitiensis and the Fiji Island iguana are becoming endangered species.

It is hard to discern different species of iguana as being from the same family due to large differences in physical appearance as well as behavior. Their colors vary from bright to muted shades. The different habitats in which iguanas can be found give each species a different adaptation.

Pet Iguanas

Americans believe the extinction of the iguana species can be prevented by keeping them as pets domestically. Furthermore, the correct handling and care of iguanas is fundamental knowledge. This includes knowledge of their eating habits, their habitat and other information relating to their upkeep.

Iguanas are herbivorous creatures and their diet constitutes fruits, flower buds and young leaves. The rare mealworm, crickets and the wax worm provide occasional treats for the iguana.

Dark and leafy greens as well as various fruits are the iguana’s staple food in some locations in America.

The growth of iguanas is relatively fast. An iguana can multiply its length by five from the time it hatches and grow up to one hundred times heavier, in a period of two years.

It is therefore fundamentally important that a pet iguana receives sufficient food and water as well as being housed in an appropriate enclosure that is well heated. Slow growth rates are often the result of improper diet and housing and inadequate exposure to sunlight. Furthermore, this results in weaker bones thereby exposing them to severe bone fractures and disease.

How to Determine the Iguana’s Gender

A characteristic of male iguanas is the presence of huge pockets of fat present on the back of their heads. Their jaws are large and heavy and they possess larger femoral pores under their thighs. Additionally, the heads of females are smaller and less blocky than that of females. Furthermore, females lack the large pockets of fat and heavy jaws. Moreover, the femoral pores are tiny. These iguana facts can help distinguish the male from the females.

Courtship behaviors such as the erection of the spines present on its back as well as head bobbing are unique to the male. The male iguana is usually aggressive during courtship, a huge difference from their mild and shy nature during other times. They tend to flee when approached. This iguana fact should help a pet owner interact with them.

Many female iguanas tend to dig a hole in an area that receives plenty of sunlight and lays their eggs there. They then cover the eggs and leave them alone. The eggs incubate due to the warm temperatures. All eggs present in the nest hatch simultaneously. Conversely, some of the dangers iguanas undergo vary from loss of their habitat to captivity by man for consumption. The survival of the iguana can be aided by taking measures such as educating people who live in iguana habitats, imposing limitations on hunting and the breeding of iguanas in zoos. These are just some of the interesting and more common Iguana Facts.

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Cantina Iguana

The best pet shops in various locations across the United States indicate that iguanas are the most often bought pets and therefore constitute the best known reptiles. Its hardiness allows it to grow in several different climates and its length could vary between four and six feet while its weight falls between ten and fifteen pounds. A captured iguana cantina can live for between twelve and fifteen years and if very well maintained, they may reach the ripe old age of twenty years. Given the iguanas origin in hot and humid environments, it can be deduced that their activity is at its peak during daytime hours. They employ various defense systems when threatened or in danger. These include their jaws, nails and their strong tails.

Iguanas tend to be always trying to conceal themselves from their natural enemies when in their natural dwelling. Their strong sense of smell, hearing coupled with their acute vision allows them to easily detect any predators within their vicinity. Several iguanas are bought on impulse by many of today’s teenagers and youth without taking into account information concerning the appropriate care that should be given them. A fundamental knowledge of the basics regarding the care of iguanas should be taken into account by everyone.

Matters Relating to the Iguana’s Indoor Habitat

An iguana cantina can dwell indoors in an aquarium filled with water. The aquarium can contain between thirty and fifty gallons of water. This aquarium size can house a young iguana. A well nourished iguana shows a great deal of growth in only a few months. The size of the aquarium should thus be adjusted accordingly. Alternatively, a large aquarium to begin with prevents the need to adjust it at a later date. Aquarium pens are often constructed using simple glass, Plexiglas or simple wood. They also come in various designs. The floor can be covered with newspaper which is easily available as well as cheap. Alternatively, one can use mulch, indoor carpeting as well as outdoor carpets, artificial grass and even linoleum. Sand, soil and bark are materials that one should steer clear of as pest and insects flourish in them. These creatures can harm the iguana residing in that enclosure. Cleaning and disinfection of the iguanas enclosure should be done twice every week. As the iguana likes climbing, the enclosure should contain branches, pieces of rock, drift woods and branches to allow it to do this.

Provision of Water for the enclosure

Supplying the iguana cantina with water should be taken into account as they need to regularly drink water. A substantial amount of the water they consume is derived from the various plants that they eat. They particularly enjoy drinking water from leaves or woods of plant matter inside their enclosures. Additionally, iguanas take in water when they take baths and this has the advantage of training the creature to become more familiar with water. Lukewarm water should be used when bathing the iguana.

Natural Sunlight

Natural sunlight cannot be substituted or even be compared with any other light source. The health of an Iguana Cantina can be increased by occasional exposure to sunlight. This should amount to between five and ten hours every week. Should the pet owner wish to place the iguana’s cage outdoors, it should be ensured that sources of danger such as dogs, cats or any other predators don’t harm it.

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Proper Iguana Care Tips

Many people have cats, dogs, even birds or fish as pets. We care for these members by doing things that are expected: feeding, bathing, watering, giving them attention and cleaning out their environment.

Yet, some people have snakes or even ferrets that must do the same things. Yet, there is another exotic animal that is being kept as a pet. This is the iguana. They are seen as wonderful and out of the ordinary pets for people have all ages. Most pet shops sell them for a reasonable price.

Like any pet an owner has, iguanas need care and attention too. Many people assume since iguanas stay in cages, they are rather easy to care for. This is simply untrue.

When you take on the responsibility of an iguana you have to consider the iguana's needs. Searching the Internet for tips along with photos makes the topic a bit more interesting and clear to readers.

There are five things to look at when debating whether to become an iguana owner or not. They are:

- Cage
Iguanas need a cage to call home unless you plan to let roam around the house freely. The cage should be big enough to house an iguana that will grow to six feet long. It should have an ample water supply as well as climbing material and a place to hide. Since iguanas love to climb, the cage should be twice the iguana's size. It would be best to get a bigger cage now to house the iguana as it grows along with its climbing gear.

- Food
The first thing an owner needs to understand is that iguanas are not carnivores but rather herbivores. This means they eat vegetables and fruit but not meat. Their diet can be contain tofu, perhaps two times a week. Other food they can and will eat: lettuce, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli and even oranges.

Remember fresh water and fresh food are essential to an iguana's health and well-being just like any other pet and human being. Unclean water and spoiled food causes health problems for an iguana. This is why it is vital for you to choose the "right" food for your reptilian pet. It is a good thing to feed your pet in the morning since this is the time food is properly digested.

- Temperature
Your iguana is a lot like you. It likes to have reasonable temperatures to live with. They should have reasonable heating whether it is by a light or heat pad. Hot rocks are unnecessary for the iguana since these can kill or burn your lizard.

Your pet's cage temperature should be between 80 degrees and 92 degrees. If the iguana is not heating properly, this could lead to food indigestion.

- Lighting
Many people would not think so but lighting is essential in an iguana's well-being. While lap light is good, sunlight is vital to its health. If the lizard is deprived of sunlight or UV lighting, it can become ill. This disease is known as MBD or rather Metabolic Bone Disease.

Your iguana should be able to laze about in the sunlight while the cage is equipped with fluorescent lights that can be purchased at the pet store.

- Sanitation
Your iguana should be cleaned as well as its environment and habitat in the cage. They both need to be cleaned on a regular basis so the iguana will not get sick. Iguanas have been known to carry the Salmonella bacteria. To keep them and you safe, keep your iguana clean at all times.

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Maintaining The Habits Humidity

Now that you have your habitat built and set up with the right amounts of heat and light, the next part of the three part equation for your iguana is that of humidity.

Humidity is the amount of moisture that is in the air.  Since iguanas come from areas that are generally very high in humidity all the time, you’ll need to mimic that here in your habitat.  But, how in the world do you create the right amount of humidity?

The right level of humidity for your iguana will be between 65 percent and 75 percent, which are fairly humid conditions.  There are several ways for you to get this high of a humidity level within your habitat.

First, there are the simple methods to doing this.  You can just spray the habitat down with water throughout the day.  Don’t spray less than an hour before the lights go out for the night though.  You can also place large containers of water in the habitat, which will help to make for the right amount of humidity within the habitat, too.

In the later chapters, you’ll learn about how you need to bath and mist your iguana, but for now, realize that is a good way to gain the benefits of added moisture, too.

If you built your iguana’s habitat correctly, the heat and humidity levels will remain high enough with these methods as you’ll have a pretty decent way of keeping it in (Plexiglas is a great option for this.)  But, it may not be enough.

What You Need To Go Into Your Iguanas Habitat

You’ve designed an amazing habitat, but there are still a few things you’ll need to take into consideration beyond just the construction and the environmental issues.

What will you put into your habitat?  You should pay some attention to the details of this area of your habitat.  We well provided for iguana that has all he needs in a clean and organized habitat is a long living, healthy and happy pet.  Now, here are several things that you’ll build or add to your habitat.

Flooring Covering

Now, when it comes to your habitat’s flooring, take this consideration closely.  You want to have something that is easy to replace or at least to clean.  But, you don’t want to have anything that your iguana can pick up with his tongue or even worse get wrapped around his toes.

You’ll find many materials available in the pet stores but don’t waste your time on them. Instead consider other easier to afford materials.  Here are some options you have.

Floors of:

• Newspaper, ensure that it does not have any type of toxic ink on it.
• Paper towels work just fine, too.
• Plain papers without any type of toxins in them.
• Indoor/outdoor carpeting.

The carpeting is a great choice but if you purchase it, make sure it has nothing that can get caught on your iguana’s toes.  You’ll want to wrap it around the edges and tape them underneath to keep them from being torn up or getting caught on his tongue.

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Planning A Comfortable Habitat For Your Iguana

The habitat that you create for your iguana should be carefully designed and built to provide your pet with a healthy living environment.  If you do not provide a high level of attention to this part of the process, you can’t provide the proper care for your pet that he or she deserves and needs.

One thing that can’t be stressed enough is the need to educate yourself before purchasing your habitat for your iguana.  Since this is so important of a decision, you don’t want to make costly mistakes.  The fact is that most people purchase a habitat only to determine that they should have purchased something else.  The best lesson to learn, then, is to keep learning!

Buying Or Building?

You can build your habitat.  There is no doubt that this is a great way to go.  Or, you can buy a pre-made habitat for your pet.  Take that one step further and you can have someone else make a habitat for you and then buy it from them.  In any case, what you have to determine is the correct way to build or buy one.

The largest drawback of purchasing your own, pre-made habitat is cost.  They are by far expensive homes to purchase for your pet.  Sometimes, they are well designed to provide for most of the iguana’s needs.  But, most of the time, they aren’t. In fact, most of what you will find in your local pet store is far too small for your iguana.  Sure, it’s a great habitat until they grow to their full adult size!

There are a number of great locations online that can help you to design your own custom made iguana habitat.  Purchasing one is not a bad idea, but it will have to be done with a full understanding of what you need that habitat to provide for your pet.  Don’t underestimate the size of your iguana!

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