In recent years, reptiles have become increasingly popular as pets. These animals do not require special care and are safe for allergy sufferers, as they do not have fur. During the New Year holidays, iguanas, which resemble dragons with their impressive appearance and distinctive features, have become particularly sought after.
Caring for an iguana is not particularly difficult; however, the basic setup for keeping this pet can be quite expensive and will require a considerable amount of space in your home.
Choosing a Terrarium
When selecting a home for an iguana, it is important to consider its size and habits. In the wild, iguanas swim well and prefer to climb trees rather than crawl on the ground. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a vertical terrarium and equip it with thick branches. The water feature should be large enough for the iguana to fit in; it usually occupies half of the terrarium space.
Pet stores often offer rocks or heating mats as sources of heat, but these options are not suitable for iguanas. This reptile prefers to bask on branches, so the heating spot should be located at the top of the terrarium. The temperature in this area should be around 40 °C, while in the cool zone, the temperature should not drop below 25 °C during the day and should be within 20–22 °C at night.
Other important conditions for the terrarium include good ventilation and a UV lamp. The optimal option is a lamp with a UVB level of 5.0, with a distance to the heating spot of 25–30 cm, and the placement should be either side or top.
All elements of the terrarium should be easy to clean and safely disinfect. Branches can be treated with a steam generator. The water in the pool should be changed at least once a day, especially considering that iguanas often use the water feature as a toilet.
Do not forget about the spraying procedure: many lizards prefer to lick water droplets rather than use a water bowl.
Forming the Diet
The diet of an iguana will not require significant expenses from the owner, especially during the summer. Modern recommendations for iguana care insist on a strict plant-based diet for these lizards, although previously, young iguanas were allowed to be fed animal-based food. Iguanas of all ages enjoy eating live insects and other protein feeds, but regular consumption can negatively affect the reptile's health.
Primarily, the iguana's diet consists of leafy greens, with about a quarter made up of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, this reptile eagerly eats houseplants such as tradescantia, hibiscus, or pothos. It is important to ensure that they have not been treated with chemicals.
In summer, dandelions, nasturtium, grains, ground elder, young nettles, cruciferous greens, flowers, and leaves of apple and rose trees can be given freely, but only not from urban flowerbeds and lawns. In winter, they are replaced with leaf lettuce and green beans. Calcium and vitamins should definitely be added to the diet.
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