Re: Outdoor benefits for new Iguana?

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Posted by Kate on June 22, 2002 at 13:36:54:

In Reply to: Re: Outdoor benefits for new Iguana? posted by Joe Kodachrome on June 22, 2002 at 10:25:43:

Joe,

Wire mesh doesn't block UV, but iguanas can hurt their toes on it when they climb (as in cut them, or even tear them off :-/ ). If you can, try to get something that's coated, or a strong plastic mesh. The size of the cage should depend on the size of the ig? How big is Zeb? The size you described is good for a very small iguana, but he'll quickly grow out of it. My ig is a free roamer, so I can't remember the proper size of a cage offhand, but there are several posts here about cage size.

A regular fluorescent bulb has virtually NO UVA or UVB. They're designed not to, because UV light is harmful to humans. Some reptile basking lights produce UVA, but almost none that I know of produce UVB. I can't stress enough how important proper UV (especially B) exposure is for an iguana. Without it, they can't absorb the calcium in their diets, and they'll get metabolic bone disease. But a UVB fluorescent light isn't too expensive, and you can get them online or at pet supply store. They can go into the same fixtures that other fluorescent lights go into. In the meantime, keep getting him out into real sunlight.

As to the food, lettuce isn't really very good for igs. Although romaine is one of the better sorts, it still doesn't have very many of the nutrients they need. Spinach is okay, but it shouldn't be a staple food. Spinach has high levels of oxalaes, which bind calcium, iron, and other minerals that igs need. Other foods that are high in oxalates are beets, beet greens, chard, and rhubarb. You can feed an iguana these foods, but not a whole lot. Other foods you can use, but not use a lot are broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, bok choy and brussel sprouts. These foods bind iodine, which can lead to goiter. Good foods that I didn' mention before (I think) are hibiscus leaves & flowers, nasturtium greens & flowers, green onions, turnip greens, carrot tops, and leeks. Hmm... and you don't need to cook the veggies. Doesn't hurt to do it, unless you boil 'em til they're soggy, but they're just as good raw, and it saves you time.

I hope this helps. :-)

Kate

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Re: Outdoor benefits for new Iguana? Joe Kodachrome 06/27/02 (0)

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: Joe, : Wire mesh doesn't block UV, but iguanas can hurt their toes on it when they climb (as in cut them, or even tear them off :-/ ). If you can, try to get something that's coated, or a strong plastic mesh. The size of the cage should depend on the size of the ig? How big is Zeb? The size you described is good for a very small iguana, but he'll quickly grow out of it. My ig is a free roamer, so I can't remember the proper size of a cage offhand, but there are several posts here about cage size. : A regular fluorescent bulb has virtually NO UVA or UVB. They're designed not to, because UV light is harmful to humans. Some reptile basking lights produce UVA, but almost none that I know of produce UVB. I can't stress enough how important proper UV (especially B) exposure is for an iguana. Without it, they can't absorb the calcium in their diets, and they'll get metabolic bone disease. But a UVB fluorescent light isn't too expensive, and you can get them online or at pet supply store. They can go into the same fixtures that other fluorescent lights go into. In the meantime, keep getting him out into real sunlight. : As to the food, lettuce isn't really very good for igs. Although romaine is one of the better sorts, it still doesn't have very many of the nutrients they need. Spinach is okay, but it shouldn't be a staple food. Spinach has high levels of oxalaes, which bind calcium, iron, and other minerals that igs need. Other foods that are high in oxalates are beets, beet greens, chard, and rhubarb. You can feed an iguana these foods, but not a whole lot. Other foods you can use, but not use a lot are broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, bok choy and brussel sprouts. These foods bind iodine, which can lead to goiter. Good foods that I didn' mention before (I think) are hibiscus leaves & flowers, nasturtium greens & flowers, green onions, turnip greens, carrot tops, and leeks. Hmm... and you don't need to cook the veggies. Doesn't hurt to do it, unless you boil 'em til they're soggy, but they're just as good raw, and it saves you time. : I hope this helps. :-) : Kate

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