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The growing popularity of people choosing iguanas and other reptiles as pets has also seen an increase of these reptiles being abandoned or turned over to animal shelters and iguana rescue programs when the reptile becomes too burdensome to care for. If you are considering an iguana as a pet: think twice, you may not be prepared for the day to day care of them as many pet stores neglect to inform customers of their natures or they simply do not know in the first place.
Baby iguanas, which are sold in pet stores in tanks of 10 or more are quite small, about the size of a human hand. They look cute enough, if you like that sort of thing, small, green, bright-eyed and unique, much more exciting than a hamster or a rabbit. You might purchase a 20 gallon tank to keep your new iguana in, thinking it will give him plenty of room to grow, but what you may not know is that iguanas can grow up to five feet long in their first 4 years of life.
Iguanas are vegetarians and should not be fed crickets, worms, or other reptile related bugs. They also should never be fed protein based foods such as cheese, monkey chow, cat food or dog food, all foods frequently recommended by pet store employees. Even though they are vegetarians, there are also many vegetables and greens that iguanas should never be fed such as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cabbage and brussel sprouts. These foods all have high levels of natural chemicals that are harmful to iguanas. A great deal of research and planning needs to be done to feed your iguana a correct diet that will not make him sick, don’t depend on what your pet store tells you as they are often wrong.
Heat rocks, which are commonly sold in the reptile section of your pet store are extremely dangerous for your iguana. These heat rocks cause burns on your iguana and are also an incorrect heating source. Iguanas need a heat source from up above, mimicking the sun, such as a specially designed light fixture for reptiles. Iguanas need dark to sleep in and so a ceramic type of lamp should be used for night time. Also, most types of bedding sold for reptiles is harmful to iguanas such as sand, wood chips, gravel, etc. as it may be eaten by the iguana and cause problems with its digestion. You really need some type of artificial turf or other such material that can not be ingested by the iguana.
With all of the special diet and lodging requirements you will need for an iguana, you probably haven’t had time to think about the fact that you will have to cut his nails once a month and if you haven’t been handling it every day, you could be in for a tail whipping. Tail whippings aren’t so bad when your iguana is 6 inches long, but wait until he is 5 feet long!
Iguanas are wild animals which suffer greatly when kept in captivity. In the wild, iguanas can live anywhere from 40 to 50 years: in captivity, they live to be about 10 years old. Too many people are misinformed in the care of iguanas and if you truly insist on having one as a pet, it is crucial to research the care and feeding of these delicate animals. There are many diseases that are common to iguanas and poor diet can cause many of them. Inadequate temperatures can cause others and you really need a lot of space to fit the cage that will be large enough for your iguana to live comfortably.
Before you purchase an iguana, look for an adoption program in your area, there are hundreds abandoned each year and the adoption centers will have a great deal more information for you than the pet store. Perhaps you can even give a home to an orphan iguana once you have learned the instructions for its proper care and accept the large responsibility that comes with owning one of these unique creatures.
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