These Lovable Pets Require a Lot of Work
The majority of pet owners who decide to purchase iguanas (or various other exotic pets for that matter) rush into the decision without carefully examining the reality of owning such a pet. It’s not surprising. They are over-bred in the U.S. and over-caught in their natural habitat, making them very inexpensive and plentiful at pet stores and reptile swaps. Their price tags range anywhere from $25 to as little as $10. At first glance, they seem like cheap, easy-to-own, and for all intent purposes really “cool” pets.
Think again.
Yes, it’s true that iguanas are amazing pets and great companions that are much more affectionate than they are given credit for. It’s easy to see their appeal, but most pet shoppers who pick them up do little research into how much care these animals need. Here are a few big reasons to sleep on the decision to buy an iguana.
Iguanas require a vast and complicated setup.
Most iguana shoppers pick up their iguana, put it in a cage with a log in it and are surprised when the lizard dies within a month or so. In order for an iguana to survive, you need to recreate its natural tropical environment in your own home.
First, you need to buy lights. You need a UVB ray strip light and a fixture to put it in. The rays from this light simulate the UVB rays from the sun which it needs to process Vitamin C. This light needs to be on 12-14 hours a day to simulate a typical day cycle for the iguana. It also needs a heat light to increase the temperature in the cage and give the iguana a spot to stay warm. There are nocturnal heat lights for sale at pet stores that can stay on during the night without disturbing the lizard’s sleeping cycle.
Also, the iguana’s cage needs to have a designated basking area. An iguana will not digest food unless its body is a certain temperature, so the heat light should be positioned so that there is both a basking spot and place for them to cool off.
Iguanas are NOT cheap.
- Iguanas require a very complex setup with lights and a basking spot.
- Iguanas grow to be extremely large, so you need to be prepared to buy a big cage to house them.
- Wild or untamed iguanas can be very mean and very dangerous.
Comments
iguana man
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/04/2008
piece of shit iguana need weed didn't you see friday
Charley
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/04/2007
All of what you have in your article is true. I have read up on these wonderful pets after I was called and asked to take on in as a rescue. I thought they were really docile animals because of her demeanor when I decided to take her in as a rescue animal. As I read more on the internet and called a few professonals, I found that she was emaciated and I was 'basically trying to force feed a "dead animal". Well to my tenacity and will to do all that I could, she is now a running and tree climbing critter. I have found that the cage she is in needs much updating and I need to upgrade that enclosure. However, in stead of buying many cages, I am going to go for the big one right off so that she will have more room and I won't have to worry about the expense of buying and the time spent on more cages to get to the one she is going to need as the end result.
Thank you for your article.
jenifer
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/27/2006
fuck off
mario
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/27/2006
lolo
Comments 1 - 4 (of 4)
|
|