Re: Need some ideas and info!!! Few more??

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: : hi + welcome to the bestest ig-board on the planet! *grin* glad you're researching before your new addition arrives!!!! : : on to your questions ... the enclosure size sounds great! (tho keep in mind, esp. as the ig gets big, he will still need + appreciate time *outside* of the enclosure on a daily basis) : : where do you live??? that'll make a difference as far as how to build the enclosure ... if you live where it gets cold enough to need a heating system, i'd suggest using plexiglass on the sides of the enclosure ...that'll make it possible to keep the enclosure warm enough *and* humid enough ... : : i used 1" plastic mesh, stretched across 2x2's and then put plastic over that ... the mesh on the walls gave iZ *lots* of places/surfaces to climb around on and the plastic kept the heat/humidity in ... plastic mesh is *lots* easier to work with + less of a 'scratch' hazard (for you *and* the ig!) ... using the combination of mesh *and* plexiglass also makes it more obvious to the ig that there is a barrier there ... they do not understand the concept of glass/plexiglass + will make themselves and *you* nuts trying to get thru the invisible wall ... : : branches/tree limbs: anything you find should be ok to use ... just make sure they're nice + thick + strong enough to withstand flying leaps, etc! it's a very good idea to "disinfect" any branches/limbs before letting your ig use them ... a 5:1 bleach:water solution works best ... spray the branches down til they're soaked, let 'em sit a while, rinse with water and repeat ... make sure to let them air dry and 'air out' the bleach fumes a few days before adding to the enclosure ... this should get rid of any bugs/insects that are very prob'ly in the bark/wood ... : : carpet: especially til your ig is 'litter-box' trained, yoou're probaly gonna have to change the bottom of the enclosure frequently, so don't make it toooo difficult ... if you're gonna go with a carpet-type thing, go to Menard's (or wherever) and buy a huge chunk of indoor-outdoor carpet ... it's the same thing as what petstores will tell you is specially for reptile carpet and is lots cheaper ... : : speaking of 'litter-box" ... never ever use sand or cat litter!!!! : : shelves: again, i don't know how big your iggy is ~ i've made them out of 1/4" plywood when iZ was small ... as he's grown, his shelves are now made out of 2x2's and plastic mesh with a bath towel over the mesh ... make the shelves fairly wide so the ig can turn around and/or curl up if he wants ... : : one of iZ's favorite things has always been this hanging log i have rigged up ... it's suspended from the ceiling now, but he had a smaller version of it when he had an enclosure ... it's close enough to a shelf or the side or the enclosure (with the mesh for climbing) that he can get on or off it easily, but once he's up on it, he has the feeling that he's suspended in air + he loves it! (remember they live in trees in the wild!) : : as far as how many shelves??? oooooooooooh, bunches! different heights, sizes ... a variety is good ... : : igs like hidey spots, tho not necessarily a 'box' ... you can create neat hidey-spots with fake ("silk") plants/leaves/vines ... place them so they overhang on one of the shelves ... : : humidity: you just about can't get it *too* humid, unless it makes the enclosure start to get moldy! i use a *cool mist* humidifer with good results ... : : heat needs to be a *range* of temps ... one side of the enclosure should be cooler than the other ... generally, the ambient temp should be about 80-85 degrees ... : : here's a couple of excellant links, both for food and for bunches of other ig-info! : : <h3><a href="http://thunder.sonic.net/~melissk/ig_care.html/">Giant Green Iguanas</a> : : <a href="http://www.baskingspot.com/iguanas/">Jen Swoffards Ig Care</a></h3> : : very best wishes! : : iZ's mom : Thanks for the great info! I live in Eastern NC and I'm gonna keep the enclosure inside. It gets cold in the winter. : If I want to take him outside in the summer, what is the best way to handle him, don't want him to get away? : Do you have any pics of your enclosure, I would love to see one. Is your whole cage plastic mesh or just part of it? : I was thinking maybe the front and half of each side mesh, the rest plywood, so you could keep the heat in. : Where do you put the humidifier? Is it difficult to potty train an iguana when they get older(I didn't think it was possible). : What would you use, newspaper? I'll worry about that later! First, I've got to start building my enclosure. : How many shelves would you recommend? I would probably use 2by2 or 2by4's and make corner shelves. : I'm really excited, but want everything to be perfect! I've got turtles,crabs,gecko, but this is my first iguana. : I got plenty of time before he arrives, that's why I'm starting now so I don't have to rush! : Thanks a lot.

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