Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone, have gotten plenty of great info from all of you so first off thank you. Now...

Had my lil guy (I think he is) since last August. No real problems except his temper but I am still working with him on that. Just wanted to see how you "experts" compared to me think on how good or bad I am doing with him.

I have him in a 65 gallon reptarium (one of the black mesh net things) and that is about to change. He is maybe 22-24 inches. He eats pretty well, all the right things (wont eat in front of me or from my hands...) I am either going to buy this cage (the giant one) which is 42 X 31 X 55H for him for the next year or two OR start working on building one.

https://futurepet.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=PR470R

Is that too small for a juvenielle iguana? And... do you think an iguana at that age can squeeze through one inch gapped bars?

NOW as a finale.... I have a picture of the lil fiesty monster in the tub today just after I drained it so he is nice an cleaned up for his pictures.

How do you guys think he looks healthwise? Should he be plupmer or does he look like your ordinary average somewhat happy ig?

Thanks again...

for now that will be fine, i just have to tell u that an iggy will need a much larger cage than that, even the biggest repterium isn't big enough, they get 4-5 ft. so the cage should be at least 10Lx4'Wx4H, do you have a uvb/uba bulb for it, and how away is it from the basking spot. what you have now will be fine for the size u have, just keep it 2 x as long at min. I would not suggest getting a wire cage because they don't make them big enough, just give it a room of it's own or make one w/ plywood and insulator. those can turn out very pretty and it is easier to control. the pic didn't come up, so i don't know if he's healthy, but he sounds great! please don't hesitate to ask more questions as i'm glad to help!!!!!

He eats pretty well, all the right things (wont eat in front of me or from my hands...)

That's fine and normal. Eventually he'll get used to you enough to eat in front of you. Hand-feeding can turn into a habit, so don't work on it.

I am either going to buy this cage (the giant one) which is 42 X 31 X 55H for him for the next year or two OR start working on building one.

That will work for a year... minimally. By the end of this year, get ready to give it a full-size condo. Juvies grow fast, and iguanas need LOTS of room to excercise and move about.

Length and Height are the two most important measurements, and depth can be somewhat compromised. Minimal length and height are 6 feet both. I'm talking minimal. Ideally, over 7 feet, with 8 and over being the truly best. Think about it: a young iguana is 2.5 to 3.5 feet long. Therefore, ideally it needs an enclosure twice its length up and forward, and at least half of its size (the iguana) to turn around inside. Therefore, a young iguana needs a minimum of 6 or 7 feet high and long, and about 4 feet deep.

Bigger is better. You wouldn't like to live in tight quarters, and neither would a wild animal evolved for open lush forests.

$150 is not bad at all for the Giant cage, but keep in mind it's a short-term investment. Save your cash and start making plans for a BIG enclosure ready for the new year. Custom-built enclosures are often the best way to go. You can get plans and ideas from retailers and other cages you can google online.

Important things:
1) it has to be big
2) it has to be safe: for your home (fire hazards) and your ig.
3) it has to be easy to clean. Enclosures should always be cleaned daily.
4) it has to be functional: provides basking spot(s), cooling area, hiding spot(s), feeding spot, water, climbing areas, able to keep warm but also ventilated enough to avid cooking the animal. It sounds harder than it actually is.
5) it has to look natural. Exotic pets rely on wild-life stimuli reproduced in a captive environment to stay healthy.
6) keep it fun. Have fun building it, take your time (hence why it is good to start a month or two earlier), do your research, be creative, and enjoy.

Iguanas are remarkable escape artists. At roughly 2 feet in length, he may be able to get through... and if not, he could get stuck! Measure his girth at the fattest area of his body, and the girth of his head. Keep in mind lizards deflate to sneak thru tight quarters.

I can't see the picture, but sounds like you're doing ok!

-IJ

Thank you again for your advice. I am going to build my own lil habitat for the lil guy. I want to build the exact replica of this:

http://www.greenigsociety.org/cageplans.htm

Wish me luck! Ill post pictures (if I can get them to work) when I am done.