Iguanas! How to Care For Them – Building an Iguana Enclosure
The kind of iguana enclosure you get will directly affect your iguana’s happiness, health, and longevity. If you get a flimsy, ill-fitting or poorly manufactured iguana enclosure, your pet iguana may find himself living a long, short life. It’s also important that your iguana enclosures or iguana tanks are able to properly hold in the heat, especially during those hot, summer months. There are three main kinds of iguana tanks or enclosures: glass, plastic and metal.
Glass Iguanas are by far the most popular among American iguana pet owners. They are sturdy, beautiful and can fit in any size cage. This is primarily due to the way glass is made. Glass is typically blown like a blossom, formed into shapes and polished to create a smooth surface. The glass is then coated with an anti-reflective coating so the lizards can see through it and yet still have visibility. Iguanas can be as small as four inches in length.
Plastic Iguanas is inexpensive, lightweight and durable. They’re even popular amongst big cats because of their low Maintenance Cost. A standard ten gallon tank will usually support up to twenty-five pounds of live food. Because of their lightweight construction, plastic iguana tanks can be easily carried from room to room.
Metal Iguanas are more expensive than their plastic counterparts, but provide a greater degree of protection. They also offer a higher degree of versatility in shape and design, as well as being able to provide the right temperature for any reptile. When choosing a metal enclosure, make sure the holes for the heat source are drilled directly into the side or front. Otherwise the lizard will be unable to get out of the enclosure to consume its food.
Wood or PVC iguanas can be built to resemble smaller varieties, such as the African Cappuccus. There is also a variety that resembles the Red-eared Slider, better known as the Slider Red. These varieties are not intended for small children, as they can injure a small child if they are handled roughly. The wood or PVC cages are usually constructed with the support of two main branches or trunks, while the sliders are just one large piece.
Baby Iguanas, called juvenile Iguanas, is extremely fragile and can be killed quickly if mishandled. It is very important to provide an environment that is suitable for these tiny reptiles. Their natural habitat is found in the rain forests of the Andes mountains. It is during their spring time that they will come out of their burrows, which is why it is necessary to set up their cage at an appropriate temperature. If your iguana is not old enough to acclimate to their new home, you will need to allow them to stay in a small enclosed tank until they are fully grown, at which point they can go outside to explore.
To find the best cage for your lizard, the ideal solution is to read a reputable online pet supply store review and then download the corresponding model to your computer. Most reputable online sources will offer reviews from actual customers, who have bought and used their product. These reviews will help you choose the proper model for your pet. If you cannot find any reviews online, then you should visit a local pet store that sells reptiles.
Once you have selected the correct cage for your iguana, you need to decide where to locate it. You can put it on the ground in your yard if it will allow it. In order to keep your iguana happy and healthy, it should be placed in a warm climate, but it will do better in a shaded area. Make sure that the floor of its enclosure is sloped towards a window or open area so that it will be able to escape when necessary. If you have multiple iguanas, then you may want to purchase a portable heat source.
