Iguanas as Pets and Building a Home for Them,

By Sebastian Cork


Iguanas aren't like domesticated pet cats and dogs, they are incredibly tougher to maintain and take care of. One reason is because of the fact that they are inherently wild animals. Hence, the idea of having one as a pet requires added effort, research, and plenty of knowledge and information about them. Iguanas thrive in the wild and they have to be aided when it comes to the transition and adaptation for living in captivity. As an owner of an iguana pet, it is your responsibility to make sure that the reptile survives the transition and will thrive in the new environment. Be aware that although you put them in iguana cages, they can be very adorable pets. Then again, they require double the amount of attention than what you would normally give your dogs or cats at home, especially considering that they are cold-blooded creatures. Animals that are cold-blooded don't have the natural ability to keep themselves warm, so it's your duty to produce an environment where heat and warmth in abundance. The purpose of the heat is to enable iguanas to digest their food, warm their bodies, and ultimately survive.

If there is an absence of heat and warmth inside the new artificial environment, these animals will likely be threatened and eventually die and of course, you wouldn't want that to happen! Living in their natural environment or habitat, iguanas are traditionally found in tree branches. They are known as tree-dwelling species because they eat plant leaves and seek heat from the sun as part of their natural habits. They need to consume a variety of plants to satisfy their nutritional needs to keep them alive. Therefore, keeping them as pets requires owners to understand such needs and provide the same effectively.

One of the most obvious reasons why reptiles, like iguanas, thrive perfectly in tropical environments is because such a kind provides them with the best sources of satisfying the animal's necessities. Now if you're contemplating on getting an iguana any time soon, you will first have to build an iguana cage, which are artificial by definition but well-suited to house and accommodate the animal. In simple terms, what you need therefore is an artificial home that is a perfect and an ideal replica of the kind of environment iguanas are used to in the wild. Remember that a common cage housing dogs, birds, or other animals is not the right one. What you need is a specialized cage that you will have to build yourself. Now following these tips and facts will help you to be successful in building the correct one:

The usual and average size of an adult iguana can be five - six feet in length. So if you are going to make sure that yours will survive and live a longer life while in captivity, you have to ensure that the home you're providing is big enough. At this point, having a cage double the size of the iguana will be enough. However, if you haven't had time to prepare a new cage, you can temporarily purchase or use a small aquarium. This will serve only as a temporary shelter and in the end you will still have to build something that is more conducive and comfortable for the iguanas. Bear in mind that living in very tight and narrow spaces will result in iguanas being depressed and potentially lead to their death.

Additionally, you can also opt for a mesh enclosure if you are residing in a warm climate. However, it's not a good idea to use the same mesh enclosure if you're living in a very cold place! If you are in the part of the country where cold temperatures are dominant, you will definitely need a large glass terrarium in order to make sure your pet iguana survives. An iguana cage like a terrarium guarantees that the heat is trapped inside and the animal is safe and warm. Also, any cage you build should have heating lamps or UVB lamps for a consistent supply of heat.

And on a final note, you must keep in mind that iguanas are by instinct tree-dwelling creatures, and by this very nature, it is imperative on your part to provide the iguana with some sort of accessory to climb on or a solid structure. This is to provide the animal with a very similar environment to the one they're used to in the forest.




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