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The Care And Feeding Of A Pet Iguana
If you are thinking about getting a pet, chances are an iguana is not the first pet that comes to mind. It is true that an iguana is an unusual pet to say the least but it is also a very interesting and entertaining pet.
There are many things to consider when choosing a pet. Some very important things to consider are:
1.) Do you have the space that is required to keep this pet happy and healthy?
2.) Do you have the time that is required to to care for this pet?
3.) Do you know enough about this pet?
An iguana will require a fair amount of space to keep it happy and healthy. As it grows it will need even more space - the space should be large enough to put a fifty gallon aquarium and some necessary supplies.
An iguana does require quite a bit of time and effort to care for him properly. It is also very expensive to keep an iguana - it will need many supplies. Another thing to keep in mind is that it will grow very quickly. It could get to be about five feet long when full grown.
When you are considering getting a pet it is very important to learn all you can about the pet you are thinking about. One good place to start is with your pet store owner. It can give you a great amount of information as well as connect you with some other resources for further information and advice.
You should choose a pet store owner/breeder with a excellent reputation and then check him out for yourself. Look around the pet store when you enter.Does it appear that the owner keeps his store in good condition? Do the animals appear to be healthy and well cared for? Does the owner seem knowledgeable and helpful? All these things will tell you that the owner cares about his business and the animals it sells. Checking these things will assure you that you will get an iguana that has been well cared for and is healthy. If you are comfortable with the owner you can purchase you cage and supplies and start preparing for your new pet.
Housing Your New Pet
It is very important to prepare for your pet ahead of time. When you bring your pet home you want to make him as comfortable as possible and it will need some quiet time to adjust. So have everything ready and the rest should go smoothly.
When you choose a cage for an iguana you need to keep in mind that it is small right now but it will not stay that way. If you start with a small cage, it wont be long before you will be looking for a bigger one. It is better to buy a larger cage and save yourself the trouble and expense of having to get a bigger one in a short time. A fifty gallon aquarium will make a nice home for the iguana.Eventually you may have to have a special cage made for your iguana though depending on how large it gets.
In the bottom of the tank you can use shredded newspaper or you can purchase some prepared ground cover material from the pet store. Cedar shavings are harmful to most small animals and should be not be used.
Put several large branches of different thicknesses in the tank for the iguana to climb on. You can also add a few large rocks for decoration.
Lighting is a tricky subject when it comes to an iguana. Some owners will swear that you need a full spectrum UV light. Some owners will say that they have a light but rely more on the natural sunlight to give their iguana the ability to produce Vitamin D3 which is necessary to keep them healthy. You will have to discuss this issue with your pet store owner or veterinarian and decide what is right for your iguana.
Your iguana will need some additional heat in his cage. Put the heat source in one end of the cage so that one side is really warm(about 90 degrees)and the other end is a little cooler. You can purchase a heater from the pet store or set up heating lamps for this purpose.Put a thermometer on each end of the cage. Keep a close eye on the thermometers inside the cage to make sure it does not get too hot.
Place a container in the cage with some water in it for added humidity and you can also mist inside the cage to keep the humidity level up.
Feeding Iguanas
Your iguana will eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Mixed vegetables of all kinds, turnip greens and even dandelion greens can be offered to the iguana along with a prepared iguana diet that you can purchase from the pet store. Raspberries and bananas are also acceptable.
Choosing the Iguana
Now that you have prepared everything it is time to go to the pet store and choose your iguana.
Choose an iguana that is very young. Look for things such as whether the animal is alert and that the cage that you choose him from is clean. Make sure it has not cuts that could be infected and cause problems later on. Choose an iguana that is lively but can be calmed when you hold him for a minute or two. Ask the owner if the iguana has been handled alot. The more it has been handled the better.
When you arrive at home, place the iguana in his cage and let him get comfortable. It is a good idea to just leave him alone for a little while and let him explore his new home.
Plan on spending a few minutes a day handling your iguana if you want him to be tame. Let him out of the cage for a few minutes a day, if you can, to stretch his legs. Feed him early in the morning and watch the thermometers and the humidity level. If you need additional information about iguanas there are several excellent books available at amazon.com that you can purchase such as:
1.) Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual by- James.,III Hatfield
2.) What's Wrong With My Iguana? by-D.V.M John Rossi M.A.
3.) Iguana Iguana: Guide for Sucessful Captive Care by: Fredric L. Frye
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