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Pet iguanas are very popular today, out of all of the lizards that are kept for pets, more people choose iguanas. Due to the fact that iguanas are becoming so popular as pets and there is a high demand for them, many pet shops now sell these reptiles.
The pet iguanas that you get from pet stores are usually young, and many pet stores will tell you that because they are young they will be easier to care for, but this is not really true. Like many exotic reptiles, iguanas require particular care when it comes to feeding and keeping them happy and healthy.
No matter how docile and small your pet iguana is when you first buy it, this reptile can grow very large; additionally iguanas are known for being difficult to train, plus they can become aggressive. Of course these lizards can make good pets, but for this to happen you need to be aware of how to care for your pet iguana correctly.
Aside from caring for the pet iguana, you should be aware of the fact that these reptiles do carry Salmonella. This bacterium is constantly present in the iguana’s digestive tract, though it will not cause them illness, it will cause you to be ill if you come in contact with the bacteria. For this reason it is important that proper hygiene be practiced whenever you handle an iguana.
It is also a fact that most pet iguanas will not live longer than two years. There are many things that can cause an iguana to become unhealthy and die, such as too much stress, not getting enough sun or the proper diet. If you intend to get an iguana you need to know exactly how to care for your pet to ensure it does not die soon after you get it.
When an iguana is in captivity they will be stressed, and when they are stressed they will naturally be more susceptible to illness, such as parasites. To help prevent your pet iguana from becoming too stressed make sure that you provide a very large cage that includes climbing branches, etc. You will also not want to have it around too many bright lights or loud sounds. Interact with your pet so that it doesn’t become too bored.
Feeding your iguana the proper diet is also very important; these lizards eat a large variety of leaves and flowers when they are in the wild; you will also have to give them a large variety of vegetables to ensure their health. You will want to do some research to find out what vegetables are best to feed this reptile.
Your pet iguana will also need to get plenty of sunlight; this is necessary for the proper absorption of calcium. If the iguana doesn’t get enough sunlight they will sicken and die. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you will need to build an outside cage to hold your pet during warm months. Although you can use full spectrum fluorescent bulbs in the cage, this will not be as good as natural sunlight, though it is recommended during winter months.
Above all you need to fully understand what you are getting into when you get a pet iguana. These reptiles are not really good as cage pets, in fact they can grow to be 5 to 8 feet long and might need an entire room to live in. You will also need to keep in mind the size of this reptile if it should ever become aggressive.
Pet iguanas are great, as long as you know what to expect and how to care for them properly.
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