Care for Green Iguanas

Things You Definitely Need To Know Before Choosing To Own Green Iguanas

• Green Iguanas can grow up to 6 Feet long, and require a rather large amount of space.
• Green Iguanas need proper heating and UVA/UVB full spectrum lighting, and require a good amount of electricity
• They can eat quite a lot.
• There enclosure requires daily cleaning.
• Always wash you hands after handling green iguanas, or there accessories. This is very important and must be done with great care.
• Green Iguanas are not domesticated, requiring greater understanding and stricter care than a cat or dog.

Bedding and Liners for Green Iguanas

When Choosing to own green iguanas, many people tend to question what it is they should use to line the bottom of the habitat. There are a few things an owner should consider before purchasing.

These are such things as:

• Your green iguanas Safety
• Aesthetics/attractiveness and comfort
• absorption of odor and liquid
• ease of cleanse and waste removal

Generally, it is thought that particulate substrates should be avoided with owning green iguanas because of the risk that they may cause cuts and bruises on the mouth, respiratory infections, or digestive and excretory problems. The two most commonly used substrates which most people don't know should be avoided at all costs are those made with Pine and Cedar.  They are said to be known to cause respiratory infections in iguanas and other animals as well. The most commonly suggested products to use that are said to be the safest include: paper towels, plain newspaper, and linoleum. They aren't always the most attractive choices, but your green iguanas safety is most important. True, you can't be with your pet all the time. However, you can become a good observer. You're green iguanas personality, and how you use the product, plays a huge part in what you should use. If you see your iguana doing any of these things with there substrate or liner, it would be in your, and your iguanas best interest to try something else: chewing on it, shredding it with there claws, or digging so much that it creates a dust cloud in the enclosure and your home. Try different products, and see what works best for you and your pet. Remember, safety first.

So, you want to know more about what to feed your green friend? Firstly, Green Iguanas are herbivores, and don't require animal protein. Two things can be considered when deciding the diet. One is a choice, the other is not an option. For green iguanas, commercial food has come a long way, and is perfectly acceptable to use. However it should not be the only thing owners should feed them.  A balanced diet of dark leafy greens, as well as other fruits and vegetables, along with proper calcium, and vitamin and mineral supplementation will keep your green iguanas happy healthy and stress free. Acceptable, and nutritious dark leafy greens include: collard greens, escarole, dandelions, and yes...romaine lettuce too. Romaine is a great addition to this part of the diet because its easy to locate, it has a high water content, and is the most nutritious out of all the lettuces. Other types of lettuce should be avoided because they have very little, if any nutritious content. Other great items to include in their diet include, green beans, squash, and occasionally carrots and kale. Besides food, green iguanas will like to take a drink every once in a while, and should always have a water source readily available. You're also going to want to provide vitamin and mineral supplementation. Calcium supplementation is a must, and should be separate from any other vitamin and mineral supplementation. However, supplementation will only get you so far. Without proper heating and lighting, all will be lost.

Products: Food, Water, and Supplements  for Green Iguanas.

Heating and Lighting for Green Iguanas

When choosing to own green iguanas, it is absolutely vital that you provide him/her with the proper heating and lighting. Without these two things, your pet will not be able to properly digest its food and utilize all the nutrients correctly. There's no question about it, you need the correct bulbs and fixtures to keep your pet happy and healthy. There are Ultraviolet lights, and heat lights, and then there are combination lights. It is imperative that you use a bulb with proper UVA and UVB spectrum. With the heat/basking lights it is generally safer to use a ceramic socket fixture because they can tolerate more heat. Always read the warnings to see what is the highest wattage your fixture can handle. It is also important to note that the UV lighting starts losing its effectiveness after about 6-8 months, and a replacement bulb should be put in so your iguana can continue to properly utilize the nutrients in its food and prevent common calcium deficiencies such as metabolic bone disease from occurring. Another important thing to note is...Heat Rocks are not good with green iguanas. They can short out, and may cause severe burns to your iguana. Try consider using a heat pad under the enclosure instead, they are said to be safer.

Products: Heating and Lighting   for Green Iguanas.

Habitats and Accessories for Green Iguanas

Your green iguanas home should be of a good size, height, length, and width. Those cute green little friends can grow quite large, and they do so very quickly. You can start out with a 35-55 gallon tank or higher, or you can build your own if you wish. Anything smaller than that will not last you very long. There are also a few web sites that will build enclosures for you. Green iguanas need room to move around and climb, so space is important so that your pet doesn't get too stressed out. If you get one of the tanks, you'll need a top for it, because your iguana will definitely try to get out.

Products: Habitats and Accessories  for Green Iguanas.

Other important accessories to have are, thermometers, power supplies, hand sanitizers. Actually anything to make you and your green iguanas life easier and safer is worth looking into.