The Essential Components of a Proper Iguana Cage

When people think about buying an iguana, different questions come to mind. More often than not, one of these questions is: Where do I keep it? What kind of iguana cage do I need? People then try to find out the components of an iguana cage and where to find iguana cages for sale.

If you are trying to find the best iguana cage for your pet, here’s a guide for you:

• Size of Iguana Cage – The first thing you want to know about is how big the iguana cage has to be. Some people have the misconception that the cage will limit the size of the iguana. This is not true. An iguana under ideal conditions will grow up to 6 feet long. This means that you will need to have a huge iguana cage in order to accommodate your pet. In fact, some people provide a whole room instead of an iguana cage for their pets! Of course, if you are not yet ready to provide this space for your iguana, you could choose to delay until your iguana grows to its full size. However, the iguana cage that you provide should be large enough to contain the activities of your iguana. It should not cramp the animal in any way. If you choose to wait until your iguana has grown to full size, you should at least prepare and make plans for the time when you are going to need a bigger iguana cage.
• Temperature – an iguana is cold blooded. This means that they need to regulate their body temperatures by making use of the environment. What are the implications of this? This means that you need to provide different temperatures in the iguana cage. This is so that the iguana can move from different spots to properly regulate its body temperature. You should also try to include a source of heat without light which will be used during the night time.
• Humidity – iguanas require high levels of humidity to live comfortably. They are easily dehydrated because of the fact that iguanas aren’t really inclined to drink much. This is because the native habitats of iguanas have high humidity and this keeps them from being dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to kidney failure. This means that not having enough humidity can shorten the life of your iguana. Another reason to keep your iguana cage humid is the fact that humidity helps loosen skin. This means that an iguana will have an easier time shedding skin if it is kept in a humid environment. If you wan to keep your iguana healthy, you should provide an iguana cage that has a humidity of 65 to 75 percent of the air.
• Lighting – iguanas need a source of UVA and UVB light. Of course, the best source that you can make use of is the sun. This does not mean that you should place your iguana cage in a sunlit area. The glass or plastic of iguana cages filter out the UV light much needed by iguanas for production of vitamin D3. This vitamin helps in calcium consumption. This means that you need to let your iguana bask in direct sunlight as much as possible. This helps in developing strong bones and preventing Metabolic Bone disease which is a very common cause of death among iguanas in captivity.

Other than the sun, your iguana cage should also include an artificial source of UVA and UVB light. This is in order to make up for days when the sunlight is not enough for your iguana.

Sources for Iguana Cages for Sale:

• http://www.customcages.com/
• http://www.lizardcages.com/
• http://www.cagesbydesign.com/Default.aspx
• http://www.lizardcages.fws1.com/iguanaworld.htm
• http://www.iguanacageplans.com

We believe the most important thing to do when owning a pet iguana lizard is to get to know them, read articles about iguana care, and consult some professionals on how to take good care of them. We hope to help you stay away from bad information about iguanas that you might get from shop owners and other people who seem to know about them but – all short. Most iguana owners often get confused on which book to follow and which website to look at or which person to take advice from. So to provide the most reliable information about taking good care of your iguana is our number one mission. We encourage you to take a look at the some of the credible websites about the myths and misconception about taking good care of your iguana lizard pet. Do more research than less – our job is to help facilitate your research.

Today’s Iguana News…

The definition of Iguana at Encyclopedia.com

Iguanas are large, ancient, herbivorous lizards with a stocky trunk, long, slender tail, scaly skin, and a single row of spines from the nape of the neck to the tip of the tail. On either side of the head is an eye with a round pupil and with moveable lids. The well-defined snout has two nostrils, the mouth houses a short, thick tongue, and dangling beneath the chin is a “ dewlap, ” or throat fan. Iguanas are well equipped for speed and climbing with four short, thick, powerful legs, each with five long thin toes tipped with strong claws. Iguanas are found in warm, temperate, and tropical zones and, depending on the species, live in trees, holes, burrows, and among rocks. Iguanas are oviparous (egg-laying), diurnal (active during the day), and ectothermic (cold-blooded), thermoregulating by basking in the sun or sheltering in the shade. Iguanas are found only in the New World, and were completely unknown in the Old World until European explorers discovered the Americas. Read the full definition at: Encyclopedia.com

A different kind of pet store

Pet City’s exotic creatures — such as a capuchin monkey, a newly adopted iguana and weather-forecasting parrots — are some of the things that draws people to Roanoke’s only locally owned pet seller. Read the full article at: Roanoke.com

A tale with teeth

Eight years ago, my childhood friends Shorty and Ingar decided that Ras al Khaimah was a boring place. At some point, the 15-year-old boys decided that the only solution to their teenage monotony was on sale at Fish Oasis: a baby crocodile. Read the full article at: The National

Iguanas possess a row of spines that run from the tip of their heads to the base of their tails. Discover information and green iguana facts with information from a published biologist in this free video on lizards and reptiles. Green, or common, iguanas are among the largest lizards in the Americas, averaging around 6.5 feet (2 meters) long and weighing about 11 pounds (5 kilograms). Green Iguanas are among the most popular reptile pets in the United States, despite being quite difficult to care for properly. In fact, most captive iguanas die within the first year, and many are either turned loose by their owners or given to reptile rescue groups.

Expert: Dr. Alan Richmond
Bio: Dr. Alan Richmond is the lecturer and curator of biology at the University of Massachusetts. He is a well-published biologist and has a special interest in reptiles and amphibians.

book is probably the most respected and best iguana care resource on the market. The book is titled Iguanas for Dummiesis 353 pages and was published in 2000. The idea that it is outdated is nonsense – as her information is timeless. Iguanas for Dummies covers all of the important iguana facts including; history, iguana habits (both in nature and captivity), common illnesses with iguanas, requirements for habitat and care and feeding. She even adds a coll section on taming iguanas and training iguanas.

Melissa Kaplan’s Iguana book seems to be based on a fair amount of research, but mostly from her personal experiences with iguanas. The book is thorough, and her experience with iguana care shines through. I enjoyed the iguana care tips and tidbits of information that most pet iguana owners will find helpful. Melissa Kaplan has a good website that will help any existing pet iguana owners and potential iguana buyers. Her passion is in helping people care for their iguanas properly and not just a commercial interest in selling books. The price of Melissa Kaplan’s Iguana for Dummies is reasonable and fair. Check it out for yourself at Amazon below…

First Pet Iguana For Sale: Juvenile Iguana with accessories in (Wilmington NC)

From the posting on www.llizards.com

Hello there. So heres the story I have a young juvenile iguana that I need to rehome. He (I’m assuming) is an awesome lizard but i dont have the time to work with him like he needs. Iguana’s need to be tamed at this young age because if you dont when they get bigger they can be very aggressive and can actually injure you. I have a young child that torments him the entire time I’m at work so it seems like any progress I make with him is washed down the drain the next day because he seems traumatized. I really love this lizard but its came down to the point of should I be selfish and keep him and allow him to continue living in the torment he has been in or find him a new home that will have enough space that they can keep him in a room other then a bedroom where he has no alone/ chill out time. The iguana comes with a 30 gallon aquarium all decorations and such included his food and water dishes heat lamp food and any other accessories I have for him. If you have no previous knowledge on this type of reptile I can tell you some information I have on them from working at a pet store in the past and from speaking with people at Petco. I am asking a small rehoming fee to be assured that he is going to a good home. I prefer for you to contact me via email due to my hours at work but after reading your inquiry I will either email you back or you can provide your phone number and I will give you a call. If this type of pet is not for you or you just dont think you can provide the necessary care that this iguana needs thank you for looking and I hope you find what you are looking for. Thanks!!

Second Pet Iguana for Sale: Exotic Pet Iguana (North Miami)

If you live near Miami and are in the market for a pet iguana – take a look at this listing on Craigslist:

Selling a Iguana, very big and very exotic looking!
Asking only $100, they retail at the pet stores for over $200
If interested please E-Mail can be found on listing at: http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/pet/1546595505.html
Price is negotiable!

Please help spread the word.

Sherry L. Schlueter, Executive Director of the Wildlife Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale, explains how to handle a frozen iguana. With temperatures dipping near freezing, these non-native reptiles can’t handle the cold and their scaly bodies shut down until they are able to warm up again.

Check out the news report – falling lizards:  Cold Iguanas Free-Fall From Trees

A stunned iguana lies on the sidewalk after having fallen from a tree Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 in Surfside, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

CBS News form Apollo Beach, Florida reports that Iguanas are among some of the wildlife suffering form the cold temperatures across the South East.

Frigid temperatures across Florida drove hundreds of manatees to balmy waters outside a power plant, shocked endangered sea turtles off the coast and even sent cold-blooded iguanas tumbling from trees. Across the Sunshine State, a cold wave pushing temperatures into the 40s or below left exotic fauna shivering.

Read the full article, “Icy Temps Take Toll on Florida’s Animals”

The video from the local news station can be fond here: Iguanas Wanna Defrost

One of the popular red iguanas is the Red sided skink. These are multicolored terrestrial and semi-aquatic lizards that are native to the rocky steppes and open forests habitat of Southern and Eastern Africa.

Today, these red iguanas are now the most common well-liked pet reptiles. They are also one of the most purchased on some pet shops. Thus, these red iguanas are now found in the garden and even inside the house.

Care and Feeding Your Red Iguana

Like any other pet, there are some requirements needed in order for the red iguana to grow on its new environment.

1. Proper Housing

A red iguana can live in an aquarium with 30 gallons of water. Enclosures can vary in shapes, sizes and styles, and are made out of glass or wood. The base should be easy to clean. The most efficient to use is the newspaper, but linoleum and artificial grass are also excellent options as well. Keep enclosures away from soil, sand and bark, as these can lead to impaction or obstruction if your iguana ingests them.  It is also important to provide them with shallow container for the food and water. These food and water dishes must be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned regularly. It is also necessary to add climbing materials such as twigs, barks, broad limbs and rocks.

2. Right Feeding

Iguanas in general are herbivores and should be given a variety of vegetable and fruits.  The bulk of the diet must contain green leafy vegetables such as mustard greens, escarole, kale, and spinach. But it is also important to feed them with limited amount of protein rich foods. You can also offer mixed vegetable like green peppers, squash, frozen mixed vegetables and green beans, and fruits like, bananas, mangoes, and apples. Like other pets, iguanas should be fed everyday.

3. Appropriate Amount of Water

Water is the most essential needs of the iguanas, thus it should be readily available. Normally, iguanas get water through the plant they consume, others lapping water off wood or on the leaves.  Exposing your iguana on your environment early in the morning will avoid them from being dehydrated. These iguanas provided with water dishes can train on their own to purge on their water. So, it is important that their dishes are regularly cleaned to prevent bacterial infections.

4. Grooming your Iguana

Like all pets, your iguana must also be properly groomed. Bathing is a good routine to get your iguana used to.  It is one way for your pet to obtain water and cleanse themselves. Bathing should be done using lukewarm water in a shallow container, at least 3 times a week. Always, aid your pet to avoid accidents. Keep in mind that not all iguanas have fun during bath time, some might panic.

5. Handling your Iguana

Iguanas should be handled frequently to discipline or tame them. Your pet iguana can be trained to show fondness for those who handle them regularly. They should be held 2-3 times everyday for at least fifteen minutes. Gently stroke, their back and neck and get your pet reptile used to handling and picking them up. Just keep in mind that iguanas can be aggressive by nature so extreme caution is needed in handling your pet reptile.

The information above are some facts about the red iguanas that you must keep in mind. Remember that the pet iguanas are also important and should be treated with proper care.

The green iguana is one kind of reptile which is commonly found all throughout South and Central America. The breeds of the green iguana are also spotted in Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, and the Caribbean Islands. There is no definite proof that the green iguana ranks among the endangered animals but then it is sometimes misconstrued to be one because it is a major attraction to the hunters. Hunters love to capture the big female iguanas. The green iguana is also a favorite delicacy of some and it is known by the name of “Bamboo Chicken”.

The Physical Appearance of the Green Iguana

The overly grown green iguanas typically grow in between four and six feet but there are some that extend up to seven feet. The tail takes up almost all of the length since it ranks to be almost half of the entire body measurement. Despite their being green, there is likewise the dominant black stripe coloring in its body. Not because they are called green iguanas they will already settle for the monochromatic color of green. The shade also diverts from the very bright green to the grayish and dull green. The skin of the green iguana is mostly rough primarily because of the pointy scales along the animal’s back. The green iguanas are equipped with claws and long fingers so that they can easily grasp and climb.

The Habitat of the Green Iguana

Baby green iguanas are typically raised in the tropical rainforest areas specifically in areas with lower altitudes and accessible water resources like those of the streams and rivers. Most of their formative years are confined in the forest top at about forty up to fifty feet high atop the ground.

The Admirable Adaptations of the Baby Green Iguanas

Aside from the invariable claws and long fingers possessed by the baby green iguanas, they also have a lot of proficient and admirable adaptations with them. The baby green iguanas are keen in terms of their senses of hearing, sight, and smell. One of their defense mechanisms is their tail which is obviously sharp and is snapped high into the air when danger is sensed. Once a predator gets the chance to grab the tail, it grows again without any damage at all. The skin of the baby green iguana is tough—it is able to avoid scratches, cuts, and is also water-resistant. The pigmentation on the skin of the baby green iguana helps out in the camouflaging especially when there are predators in the area. But then when their predators detect them, the baby green iguanas are able to swiftly jump from the trees and then dive directly into the water. Mind you, they are excellent swimmers.

Apart from these excellent adaptations, the baby green iguanas are also strong. Imagine that they do fall off the ground at about 40 up to 50 feet but they still manage to come unhurt. The male green iguanas have what is known as the dewlap on their skins. This is the special flap on their skins which they use to impress the female green iguanas or to intimidate their oncoming predators. With these dewlaps, they manage to let themselves appear bigger. Another excellent characteristic for the green iguanas is that they are able to keep fat under their own necks and jaws for quite a time especially when there is not much of the food at hand.