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Posted by Joan on October 17, 1999 at 18:49:23:

In Reply to: Well, I dont know how to start this, but... posted by Dan on October 17, 1999 at 15:17:46:

I must compliment you on learning about the animal that you have decided to take in...thats great. Most adults don't even do that. You may have your hands full with this new pet but you have found one of the best forums around and I'm sure we will try to help you. Igs can be wonderful animals with great personnalities. They also need a lot of care and have special needs in order for them to be healthy.

Lighting - UVB tubes...reptisun 5.0, iguana light 5.0, or vitalight. No more than 18" high from the basking area. Must be direct lighting, not filtered through glass or plastic.

Heating - gradient heat...one side of the cage up to 95 degrees and the other side cooler 80/85 degrees. People use different items to provide heat. We just use regular light bulbs. Others here use ceramic heaters. NO HEAT ROCK! This can burn your ig.

Cage - big, large, huge...as big as you can get, build or afford. This animal gets BIG, hense the name Giant Green Iguana.

Diet - Mainly veggies...collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and squash. Lots of other veggies can be fed. Little bits of fruit. NO animal protein.

Sunshine - Vital for a healthy ig. It is probably getting cold in PA, I know it is in Idaho. During the summer take your ig outside to get direct sunlight. Right now if we have a nice day I let our girl sit in the open window to get sunshine through the screen. This will end shortly also. Back to UVB light being important.

Humidity - Igs need humidity. When your taking a shower you can let your ig (depending on how big) roam the bathroom. Spray the cage a couple times a day or run a humidifier in the room. Also water bowl in the cage particially under one of the heat lights will evaporate the water for humidity.

Vitamins - We use tums (for calium) and Centrum vitamins. Crush 3/4 Tums to every 1 Centrum and put them in a salt shaker. Sprinkle lightly on the food like seasoning. How often depends on the age of the ig. If an older ig with no health problem, I think its about twice a week.

Taming - Patience, patience & more patience. He/she might be scared at first. Move slow and talk to him/her all the time. Don't need to hold him at first, let him get used to his surroundings. This is a whole topic in itself. Remember this is a wild animal and leather gloves may be required. They can bite. Take it slow. Also you will need a good pair of iguana nail clippers and a long sleave shirt. Ig owners are identified by their forearms looking like shredded hamberger.

Below is a link to the Iggy Lovers Community Page. It has good advice and links to other sites that can help you.

Joan (long winded)

Iggy Lovers Community Page

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: I must compliment you on learning about the animal that you have decided to take in...thats great. Most adults don't even do that. You may have your hands full with this new pet but you have found one of the best forums around and I'm sure we will try to help you. Igs can be wonderful animals with great personnalities. They also need a lot of care and have special needs in order for them to be healthy. : Lighting - UVB tubes...reptisun 5.0, iguana light 5.0, or vitalight. No more than 18" high from the basking area. Must be direct lighting, not filtered through glass or plastic. : Heating - gradient heat...one side of the cage up to 95 degrees and the other side cooler 80/85 degrees. People use different items to provide heat. We just use regular light bulbs. Others here use ceramic heaters. NO HEAT ROCK! This can burn your ig. : Cage - big, large, huge...as big as you can get, build or afford. This animal gets BIG, hense the name Giant Green Iguana. : Diet - Mainly veggies...collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and squash. Lots of other veggies can be fed. Little bits of fruit. NO animal protein. : Sunshine - Vital for a healthy ig. It is probably getting cold in PA, I know it is in Idaho. During the summer take your ig outside to get direct sunlight. Right now if we have a nice day I let our girl sit in the open window to get sunshine through the screen. This will end shortly also. Back to UVB light being important. : Humidity - Igs need humidity. When your taking a shower you can let your ig (depending on how big) roam the bathroom. Spray the cage a couple times a day or run a humidifier in the room. Also water bowl in the cage particially under one of the heat lights will evaporate the water for humidity. : Vitamins - We use tums (for calium) and Centrum vitamins. Crush 3/4 Tums to every 1 Centrum and put them in a salt shaker. Sprinkle lightly on the food like seasoning. How often depends on the age of the ig. If an older ig with no health problem, I think its about twice a week. : Taming - Patience, patience & more patience. He/she might be scared at first. Move slow and talk to him/her all the time. Don't need to hold him at first, let him get used to his surroundings. This is a whole topic in itself. Remember this is a wild animal and leather gloves may be required. They can bite. Take it slow. Also you will need a good pair of iguana nail clippers and a long sleave shirt. Ig owners are identified by their forearms looking like shredded hamberger. : Below is a link to the Iggy Lovers Community Page. It has good advice and links to other sites that can help you. : Joan (long winded)

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