Just adopted a young Iguana...Questions on the basics

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Mike on June 26, 2001 at 21:08:51:

I just adopted a young Iguana. He (?) is about one foot long (body length, about 2 1/2 with tail) and seems to be in good health. Is there a site I can check out (besides this one?). I have basic questions about humidity, feeding, lighting and the like. Here's what I know (or think I know) about them.

I know they are vegetarians, but what are the best veggies to feed them? I have a few other lizards and while reading up on one (a bearded dragon) i read that lettuce has little to no nutrional value. But i heard that iggies love lettuce and that is there primary food. Whats the truth there? And can they be given any "meat" (crickets or the such)? I heard they like water, and that they prefer a large, bubbling dish to soak in and drink from. Any truth to that?

Now what about heat? About how hot should it be? And how humid?
Right now he.. actually before I go on, how can you tell the sex?
Ok right now he is in a Homemade (not by me) approx. 50 gal. Aquarium. It measures approx. 4 ft long by 1 foot 8 inches high by 1 foot deep. I assure you he wont be in there the rest of his life, and as soon as i can build a bigger, better cage i will (and i will make it as soon as possible). I know they need large cages, but should they be screen or glass?? Or a little of both?

I know i should have read up before i got him, and i do plan on getting a few books tomorrow, but i couldnt help feeling bad for him. He was in a 20 gallon tank, and not really well taken care of. And i have always heard they had bad dispositions, but he seems very nice. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Mike

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: I just adopted a young Iguana. He (?) is about one foot long (body length, about 2 1/2 with tail) and seems to be in good health. Is there a site I can check out (besides this one?). I have basic questions about humidity, feeding, lighting and the like. Here's what I know (or think I know) about them. : I know they are vegetarians, but what are the best veggies to feed them? I have a few other lizards and while reading up on one (a bearded dragon) i read that lettuce has little to no nutrional value. But i heard that iggies love lettuce and that is there primary food. Whats the truth there? And can they be given any "meat" (crickets or the such)? I heard they like water, and that they prefer a large, bubbling dish to soak in and drink from. Any truth to that? : Now what about heat? About how hot should it be? And how humid? : Right now he.. actually before I go on, how can you tell the sex? : Ok right now he is in a Homemade (not by me) approx. 50 gal. Aquarium. It measures approx. 4 ft long by 1 foot 8 inches high by 1 foot deep. I assure you he wont be in there the rest of his life, and as soon as i can build a bigger, better cage i will (and i will make it as soon as possible). I know they need large cages, but should they be screen or glass?? Or a little of both? : I know i should have read up before i got him, and i do plan on getting a few books tomorrow, but i couldnt help feeling bad for him. He was in a 20 gallon tank, and not really well taken care of. And i have always heard they had bad dispositions, but he seems very nice. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you very much. : Mike

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]