Why Not Consider An Iguana For Your Next Pet?

The Green Iguanas are one of the more popular lizards for people to have as pets. Iguanas need love, just like a dog or a cat would. Iguanas vary in color ranging from a bright green when young to a dull, grayish-green color as they age. They have good senses of hearing, smell, superb vision and can see long distances, shapes, shadows, color and movement. Their skin is rough, with a set of pointy scales along their back and have long fingers and claws that aid them in climbing and grasping onto things.. Iguanas, like other pets, (dogs, cats,etc) have distinct personalities and dispositions.They are usually laid back and generally likes to do their own thing They are very observant and curious animals. Like lizards and snakes being a cold blooded reptile, the iguana has to create and maintain their own body heat by finding an area that is warm or sunny to bask in. A basking light is a critical component in keeping a healthy iguana.

Behavior: Iguanas will attempt to flee when threatened by a predator, but If cornered they will extend and display the dewlap under their neck, stiffen and puff up their body, and bob their head at the aggressor. Adult iguanas will make a deep grunting or hissing sound as a warning and protest when they feel threatened by a predator. A scared iguana generally will lash with it's tail, bite (the iguana has a row of sharp serrated teeth) and use its claws in self-defense. Iguanas can fall up to 40 feet and land without getting hurt. They use their hind leg claws to grasp branches, or leaves to break their fall. Sneezing is a very common characteristic of iguanas which is quite normal. This is a way they rid their bodies of certain salts. Healthy pet iguanas can live for 20+ years.

Diet: Green Iguanas are primarily herbivorous (plant-eaters), who's diet consist of fresh leafy plants and vegetables such as mustard greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, romaine lettuce, dandelion, or kale (especially as adults). The younger iguanas diet may include insects as well as plants. Having access to fresh water is also vital to their health.

Housing...Cages: Iguanas can grow to rather large sizes as they grow older. Some can grow as large as 7 feet. As adults they require very large cages (or an entire room). You can buy a cage from a manufacturer who deals in iguana cages or you can build your own. There are many sites on the Internet with cage plans for those who wish to build their own iguana cage. An iguana cage should be at least twice the length of the iguana and should be at least 6 feet tall. The width of the cage should be at least 3 feet or half the iguana's length. The bigger the cage, the better. The enclosure should have proper lighting, heating and humidity devices, as well as climbing materials. Because iguanas are susceptible to certain types of bacterial infections of the skin and digestive tract, cages and housing must be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis.

Iguanas are considered exotic animals so some states, counties and cities have laws and ordinances against keeping iguanas as pets. Also, many apartments and town homes do not allow pets or they may only allow certain pets. Always check before acquiring an iguana as a pet.

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by LAMAR DEANE