If you’re thinking about breeding reptiles as a hobby, you’ve probably been thinking about building or buying an Iguana Enclosure for your pets. While you might believe that reptiles need very little care to keep, there are actually some expenses you must keep in mind. Perhaps your iguana cages or iguana enclosures are one of the biggest costs. But it’s also one of the most essential decisions you’ll ever make. It will have an effect on the type of life your iguana has, the size of your pet and its health. If you build an iguana enclosure properly, it can help ensure your pet’s long and happy life.
Choosing a proper housing for your pet can make a huge impact on how long your pet lives and it can even affect how long you’re able to hold your pet. Lizards and snakes like to be in a cool, shady area, which is why an iguana enclosure is so important. They also need to be kept safe from the elements such as heavy rain and extreme heat, so an iguana cage is important as well.
The materials you decide to use to build your iguana enclosure should be sturdy enough to hold your pet and should have a good insulation, to keep your iguana safe from the elements. The enclosure you choose should be large enough to allow your iguana to turn around from time to time but not large enough that it becomes uncomfortable for him or her. Some iguana enthusiasts like to use ceramic or acrylic cages, as they’re very aesthetically pleasing. These types of enclosures can come in various sizes.
In order to breed properly and be healthy, your iguana needs a well-balanced diet, which can be provided by purchasing a quality pet food from a reputable pet store. You may also want to feed your iguana frozen foods if you live in a location where fresh food is not readily available. In addition to feeding your iguana a nutritionally balanced diet, consider providing them with some reptiles like lizards or snakes that are similar to the ones you’ve been buying pet food from. This will give your iguana something to look forward to each day as they enjoy their new home.
It’s best to buy enough food and vegetation so that you can see your iguana through at least one year. If you cannot see your iguana during the day, you may want to purchase a UV light to help them see in the dark. You can purchase an inexpensive device for just this purpose or you can invest in a piece of equipment that will create a more effective UV light. Both devices operate on the same premise: they produce ultraviolet radiation to assist your iguana in seeing in the night.
Once you have provided the basics, you can focus on filling the enclosure and making it aesthetically pleasing. Iguanas are vivacious creatures, and they enjoy being surrounded by plants, gravel, rocks, and anything else they can view visually. Provide a wide variety of natural habitat, such as soil, rocks, and vegetation, along with a few pieces of equipment that promote plant growth and an abundance of moisture. You can choose from a simple perforated steel tube filled with water or a more advanced system that uses a water-based substrate that holds the substrate firmly in place, yet allows you to easily refill with water. If you plan to do most of your food feeding, then an overhead container that provides adequate air flow and humidity is recommended.
Both perforated and enclosed systems work well, but the enclosed systems provide an excellent environment for long-term success. While the perforated units allow for greater air circulation, they tend to dry out quickly if left unused, leading to a loss of moisture in the substrate. Indoor and outdoor Iguana Enclosures are also available in a variety of sizes, allowing you to accommodate small to medium sized animals.
When choosing an enclosure, think about several factors, including the size and the type of animal that will be housed in. For small to medium-sized animals, an inexpensive plastic tube setup will work fine. However, for large animals, such as gliders or giant groundhogs, it would be more beneficial to purchase a fully-enclosed, permanent set up that features an automatic air pump that continuously circulates fresh air and humidifies the substrate. With the proper sized substrate and housing, a number of different species of Iguanas can thrive.
