......mumble mumble..........(long)

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Posted by IGUANA JOE on June 06, 2002 at 20:26:02:

In Reply to: Caging help, please! posted by Natalie on June 06, 2002 at 17:50:53:

If u visit zoomed.com, or other builders' web-pages, u can get the idea of what is out there for the public. U can then analyze the +'s & -'s, send out surveys or questionaires and ask what people want/demand/expect from an iguana or dragon cage.

If u pick-up, or just check out Hatfield's Ultimate Iguana Manual, he has an excellent design of building an iguana habitat in-doors.

I am not saying to copy-cat, just get ideas and mix 'em up.

Iguanas are arboreal, therefore all cages, for young or old, should be more vertically spacious than horizontally. For babies to young juvies, 4 feet tall and three-feet long, 2 feet deep should suffice temporarily. Adults require 6+ in height, 5 to 6 in length and 4 to 5+ in depth.
Remember though, that these are the minimun requirements. Bigger is always better.

It is hard to give u ideas on how to build one, since there are so many different ways:

-some use ramps networks to connect different "floors" and feeding/basking/hiding areas.

-fancy folks (such as myself) use fake or real tall plants, vines, rocks and ropes to give it a more natural look. Waterfalls are pretty popualr as well, and can alone provide some good humidity in a mostly glass cage.

U have a great idea on the tile thing, but make sure u can also drain things away. I used to use fake grass (aka astro turf) cut into 'tiles' to replace, wash, reuse.

Room for heat lamps, ceramics and UV bulbs is a must. Hot rocks are a no-no, and heat pads could cause cracking or overheating. Timers are very cool, since u can have different heat devices "take turns" every so hours to prevent overheating and wear.

And yes, soaking dishes are required. They hydrate, humidify, and help their skin peel off.

A little business note:
There are numerous manuf's of these cages, especially for iguanas (after all, they are the kingpins of all lizards). So u might encounter a saturated market, with little room for a newbie.
This added to the still sad fact that many people have no clue to what iguanas need in terms of space and care. They buy whatever is labeled for iuganas, and ignore the true requirements.

An advantage u can gain is in the pricing department. These folks' cages are ridiculously too high in costs, and offer BARELY the proper room for such animals. If u can build a strong name with prices those morons can't touch, u can be suuccessful.

Another problem for ur business is "do-it-yourselfers" (like myself, sorry). These people go to Home Depot or WalMart and buy stuff to build their own enclosures, and often do a darn good job at it.
For example, I give u my desing, which I hope u may find useful:
8x8x8 rubber (or pastic?) coated cage/mesh. Kiddie pool inside, rocks, astro-turf, fake pants and vines (for easy cleaning) and various accessories.
A lot of people see what is out there in the market, and try to build it themselves at a fraction of the cost.

Im sorry if I sound a little negative, but i thought it would be right for u to know some pros n cons on the business plan.

U can make a hit if u play ur cards right with functionality and pricing. Often those other manuf's rush things and expect people to fall for their product just because it says "iguana cage" on it.

More folks here will give more detailed info on interior decorations. I hope this long post of mine helps u a bit.

Research iguanas and dragons as much as possible, study ur competitors, survery people for ideas and demands, and then go for it.

I think what u have in mind is very cool.
Wish u the best of luck!

I J

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Re: ......mumble mumble..........(long) Natalie 06/07/02 (0)

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: If u visit zoomed.com, or other builders' web-pages, u can get the idea of what is out there for the public. U can then analyze the +'s & -'s, send out surveys or questionaires and ask what people want/demand/expect from an iguana or dragon cage. : If u pick-up, or just check out Hatfield's Ultimate Iguana Manual, he has an excellent design of building an iguana habitat in-doors. : I am not saying to copy-cat, just get ideas and mix 'em up. : Iguanas are arboreal, therefore all cages, for young or old, should be more vertically spacious than horizontally. For babies to young juvies, 4 feet tall and three-feet long, 2 feet deep should suffice temporarily. Adults require 6+ in height, 5 to 6 in length and 4 to 5+ in depth. : Remember though, that these are the minimun requirements. Bigger is always better. : It is hard to give u ideas on how to build one, since there are so many different ways: : -some use ramps networks to connect different "floors" and feeding/basking/hiding areas. : -fancy folks (such as myself) use fake or real tall plants, vines, rocks and ropes to give it a more natural look. Waterfalls are pretty popualr as well, and can alone provide some good humidity in a mostly glass cage. : U have a great idea on the tile thing, but make sure u can also drain things away. I used to use fake grass (aka astro turf) cut into 'tiles' to replace, wash, reuse. : Room for heat lamps, ceramics and UV bulbs is a must. Hot rocks are a no-no, and heat pads could cause cracking or overheating. Timers are very cool, since u can have different heat devices "take turns" every so hours to prevent overheating and wear. : And yes, soaking dishes are required. They hydrate, humidify, and help their skin peel off. : A little business note: : There are numerous manuf's of these cages, especially for iguanas (after all, they are the kingpins of all lizards). So u might encounter a saturated market, with little room for a newbie. : This added to the still sad fact that many people have no clue to what iguanas need in terms of space and care. They buy whatever is labeled for iuganas, and ignore the true requirements. : An advantage u can gain is in the pricing department. These folks' cages are ridiculously too high in costs, and offer BARELY the proper room for such animals. If u can build a strong name with prices those morons can't touch, u can be suuccessful. : Another problem for ur business is "do-it-yourselfers" (like myself, sorry). These people go to Home Depot or WalMart and buy stuff to build their own enclosures, and often do a darn good job at it. : For example, I give u my desing, which I hope u may find useful: : 8x8x8 rubber (or pastic?) coated cage/mesh. Kiddie pool inside, rocks, astro-turf, fake pants and vines (for easy cleaning) and various accessories. : A lot of people see what is out there in the market, and try to build it themselves at a fraction of the cost. : Im sorry if I sound a little negative, but i thought it would be right for u to know some pros n cons on the business plan. : U can make a hit if u play ur cards right with functionality and pricing. Often those other manuf's rush things and expect people to fall for their product just because it says "iguana cage" on it. : More folks here will give more detailed info on interior decorations. I hope this long post of mine helps u a bit. : Research iguanas and dragons as much as possible, study ur competitors, survery people for ideas and demands, and then go for it. : I think what u have in mind is very cool. : Wish u the best of luck! : I J

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