There are always a lot of questions concerning the care of a new pet, and even more so for an exotic pet like an iguana. Iguanas have basic health needs that must be met by their habitat, so that is one of the first concerns you should have when choosing a home for your new friend. Following are some helpful tips for anyone trying to decide what may be the best cage for their pet iguana.
1) Your first consideration when buying an iguana cage should be size. Iguanas grow to be quite large - they can be as long as 6 feet when full grown, so it's important to understand the commitment that you must make for its housing. There are people who convert a full room of their house into the iguana's habitat! And don't believe the myth that an iguana will stay small if kept in a small cage; it's simply not true. A large cage may not be needed - or even best - if you're buying a small juvenile iguana, but they do grow fast. Any cage you use should be large enough for the iguana to lay out straight, turn around comfortably, and of course, they need space to climb.
2) Iguanas, as a member of the reptile family are cold-blooded and unable to maintain a steady body temperature. However, it's important that they stay warm enough to prevent their digestive system from slowing down. To do this, they depend on their environment. Your iguanas cage will need to have a heating element, usually heating lamps, to help him stay warm - but don't forget you'll need to have a spot where he can move away from the warm lights and cool down when he needs to.
3) Humidity is necessary for iguanas to live comfortably and healthy. They come from native habitats with high air humidity, which prevents dehydration, so it's necessary for you to simulate this in your pet's home. Lack of humidity can cause skin problems, and can even lead to death from kidney failure. There are many ways to provide humidity, from regular daily mistings and baths, to keeping a humidifier in the room with the iguana, to elaborate automatic misting set ups.
4) The final must have for your iguana's home is a source of UVA and UVB light - this light is vital for it's health. While sunlight is the best source, there are different types of bulbs available that can be installed in your pets cage to provide the necessary UV rays when there isn't enough sunlight for your iguana. If you are taking your iguana outside, you know that plastic or glass cages aren't appropriate for this - they can over heat in the sun, and most will actually filter out the needed UV rays. The best choice for outside is a secure screened enclosure that provides sunlight and shade, so that your pet can get the amount of sun that it needs.
With such a wide variety of iguana cages available, from plastic or glass walls to metal bars, it can be tough deciding what will work for you. If you're looking for iguana cages for sale, click here to see the various iguana cage setups available on Lizzie Blount's iguana habitat page.
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Hi there you say you dont need to buy a big cage you use should be large enough for the iguana to lay out straight how big would you say for a foot long iguana
thanks
this info has been a lot of hep
If your iggy is a foot long, then the cage should be a minimum of about 2 ft high, 18 inches long and 12 inches deep (from front to back). A used 55 Gallon Aquarium with a screen top is a pretty decent inexpensive first home for a small iguana.
But a foot long iguana is going to grow pretty quickly, so you need to be prepared with a new home for him/her when she outgrows the tank. And remember that height is vital – they need to climb! Do an internet search for “pvc iguana cage” and you’ll find plenty of great ideas.