Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello everyone, we have a pair of desert iguanas and we were wondering if UV light necessary? I have heard many different stories saying yes it is necessary, then other ppl are saying its not...we supplement their crickets with cricket dust with d3 so is that good enough?!

check out this site: http://www.anapsid.org/dichuck.html

i am currently re-habbing a young green iguana who has a mild case of metabolic bone disorder. his diet, environment, and excersize were spectacular however he had never been exposed to any uv rays. he even got reptile vitamins. simply because he had not had any uv light (especially uvb) he got mbd. he is going to recover but it will take a lot of nurturing and hand-feeding and tons of time in the sun and under uvb flourescent lights. i have heard (not experienced myself, however) that vitamin d3 supplements on food can be difficult to digest, not even be usable in the body, or can cause vitamin overdoses. i would highly recommend getting a uvb flourescent bulb AND making sure that your ig gets at least a few hours of actual sunlight each week (weather permitting) with no glass in between the sun and your pet.

also, the site recommended above (www.anapsid.org) is a MUST READ! melissa kaplan is the queen of reptiles! you will find the proper diet, care, habitat, health, excersize, socialization, and *everything* for your iguana!

cynthia

I noticed that this is a cross post from another reptile forum as well. Remember that igs are not like other reptiles, they very much do need UVB lighting. Some, like beardies, have been raised succesfully and in full health without it due to supplements (for the record, mine have UVB lights just like my Tempest), but iguanas I think most defininately do need UVB to be completely healthy and thrive. Just my 2 cdn cents.