AboutYexalen Expertise I will answer any questions that you may have about feeding, lighting, heating, maintaining a proper setup, construction of enclosures, bathing, dealing with agression, general care and keeping of the (common)Green Iguana.
I can not answer questions about other species of Iguana although I can and will try my hardest and give you the best information I can after researching and going over my findings. I am not a certified veterinarian and so I can not answer medical questions that require treatment. I am here to supply you the information you need about the animal you care for so the more information I have the better I can help with your question(s).
Experience I have researched these particular lizards for several years however not having enough area in my home to own one, I have been around many and have read enough information from books and various reliable web sites to understand the personal side of keeping one of these magnificent reptiles. I have answered several questions before on other question and answer sites and am currently working on my reptile focused web site where a portion will be dedicated to the care of Iguanas
Education/Credentials I have been researching reptiles in general for over eight years and Iguanas in particular for 2 years. I have not enough room in my home to own one of these lizards but I have cared for a few that had belong to close friends and have had "hand to hand" experience with these reptiles.
Expert: Yexalen Date: 5/15/2008 Subject: I need help
Question I am thirteen, and have wanted an iguana for years, I even red the official green iguana handbook. I do know a lot, but not enough. I have three questions, and of the questions has two answers. I am getting an iguana around six inches, and I have a twenty gallon, is this okay, or should I just invest in a thirty gallon? How many heat sources should I have, and is the heating rock bad? Finally, is the calcium vitamins important or are they a waste of money, and are vines and sticks important? Thanks for the help, and sorry if the question was to long.
Answer Hello Trace, no question is too long. Im happy you want to make sure everything is perfect for him. I do want you to know that Iguanas can get up to 6ft long and grow fast they can reach full length in 4-5 years. A 20 gallon is too small, a thirty is too small but as a temporary until you can get something much larger it will work because he is a little guy. Anything less then 4ftx2ftx2ft is a waste of time and money. Eventually he will need an enclosure 6ft high, double the length of him (a three foot iguana needs a 6ft long enclosure) and 2 feet deep. So start investing in that. He will love the extra space.
You need to have one basking light (and of course UV lighting) and for a small cage that should be fine. As the cage gets larger you will need to spread the heat out all over because one light will not work.
Heating rocks are very bad, they are not good for any reptile and can be extremely dangerous. There have been numerous accounts of stomach and foot burns caused by these. Don't purchase them.
The calcium and vitamin supplements are extremely important for a healthy lizard. Without them the animal can develop many different diseases. Most of which are fatal.
Vines and sticks are important, Iguanas are arboreal (they spend most of their time in trees and other high places) they do not spend a lot of time on the ground and need many items to climb on and hide in. The more leaf like things in the enclosure the more natural it feels and the more secure it will make the Iguana, stress is definately not good. So tons of fake or real plants, branches, logs, caves, rocks, vines, etc.
Here are a couple of links with great information. Research is key!
For a forum where you can ask questions and share pictures and more with people that own them and always get a quick response http://www.repticzone.com Scroll down the list of reptiles and find Iguana, there are some very helpful people.
Please do much more research and be sure you know what you are getting into. There is a lot of hard work and commitment into owning such a lizard. I do beleive you would be better off getting a lizard a little more suitable for beginners. Iguanas are definately for experienced herp keepers only. If you want I have a suggestion for a similar lizard that is not as agressive, and doesn't get as big.
Let me know
