Caring For Pet Iguanas

Pet Iguanas like anything else, are so cute when they are little but they can get 4 to 6 feet from nose to tail, and weigh around 15 pounds, so be prepared to make some room! They are also a 12 to 15 year commitment, so be informed before purchasing one.

They need to be kept warm because they come from hot humid climates such as Mexico, Central and South America, they are found in Florida as well.

Iguanas like to climb trees, being a tropical forest tree dweller. It is interesting to note that they are extremely gentle, yet they can become angry and have 100 very sharp teeth, they latch on and roll like alligators, so don’t try to play with one if you find it in the wild. Once you own your pet iguana, you also have to trim their sharp claws.

If you are considering buying an iguana then consider the following important details.

Because pet iguanas needs change as they mature, you must do your research before buying one to make sure you can handle the very large task of caring for your pet iguana. They need to be played with and get used to humans, so plan on spending time touching your iguana several times during the day, for at least one hour to two hours. Remember that it is much like owning a dog or cat, because they live for up to 15 years.

Because iguanas grow so large, you should make sure your house can fit one. A terrarium about 6 to 7 feet high, and at least 9 feet by 5 feet so they can move around and you will need something for them to climb, a fake tree, or tall cat climbing posts, you will need one for each iguana.

Your pet iguana is going to need to be kept clean, you have to help them when they are shedding their skin and you must bathe them. They go to the bathroom as well as all of God’s creatures, so you will have to clean up after them to avoid them (and you) getting sick from parasites. Their little “poopy treasures” can also stain, so the quicker you can clean it up the better.

They actually prefer living alone, but they can live with other iguanas, but be prepared for some hostile communication between them. It’s their nature but a good diet will minimize problems.

They need special food and must be fed twice per day, research what and how much they eat, and make a decision on what you are prepared to afford to pay for their food. They have important nutritional needs when they are growing inside your home in a domestic setting so pay close attention to those needs. You must monitor their health each day and make sure they have clean water to drink every day, just like any other pet.

Finally, another costly consideration before buying pet iguanas, is that you must maintain routine visits to your veterinarian.