Iguana Cages

There are several choices when it comes to providing the perfect home for your pet iguana. The most common iguana cages are bird cages, fish tanks and aquariums and glass or Perspex reptile cages, but most of these are not large enough for an adult iguana.

MATERIALS: Wire – The advantages of wire mesh are that it is fairly lightweight, easy to move and work with; the iguana can climb the mesh for exercise and entertainment; it allows good ventilation; gives good visibility for you and the iguana. The disadvantages of mesh are that it is harder to keep the temperature and humidity at the necessary constant levels.

Glass or plexi-glass/Perspex – the advantages are the ease of maintaining suitable climatic conditions; allows good visibility and looks attractive. The disadvantage is that it is very heavy to work with and to move; Perspex scratches easily; the iguana cannot climb it and the solid surface doesn’t allow for much interaction between you and your pet.

SIZE: An iguana’s cage must be large. An adult iguana can be six foot in length, they are very active and need lots of climbing space. They must regulate their body temperature by moving closer to and away from a heat source, so there needs to be sufficient vertical and horizontal space for this. An adult iguana cage needs to be a minimum of 8 foot long, 6 foot high and 3 foot wide; the larger the better when it comes to iguana cages. Iguanas grow very rapidly in their first two years, so get a cage to suit a fully grown iguana.

Most of the commercially available cages are inadequate in size and the best option is to make it yourself. The easiest plan is to construct a timber frame, the size you want the cage to be, and attach sheets of wire mesh on 3 sides and the top. Fit a piece of laminated board for the base, which will be easy to clean. The fourth side will be a door so that you can get in for cleaning and maintenance; make sure you fit a strong lock on the outside. If you fit castors on the bottom, you will be able to wheel the cage outdoors when the weather is warm enough.

FURNITURE: Your iguana will need some logs for climbing and basking on; make sure they are as thick as the iguana’s body. Place them firmly in the cage to give different heights and surfaces. You will need to fit a heat lamp or light to the top of the cage so your iguana can bask and regulate his temperature.

When looking at iguana cages, be sure to get the largest you can possibly fit in your home.  Having enough room is critical to the well being of your pet iguana!