Reptile & Amphibian Forums

wrote about calcium and the need or not need of supplements. The BIGGEST problems with keeping lizards such as Varanids are space, heat, and abundant adequate food. I'm posting some pics taken today at about 10:00 a.m. on a cloudy rather cool day. Air temp is in the low 80's. Here is one of my female het. albino iguanas about 5' long. She is 112 degrees and would like to be warmer. The enclosure is 15' x 16' and about 7' high. There are various shelves provided at different heights which have to do with dominance or the lack of it. Also there are numerous areas that are permantly shady. In other words they can pick and choose what temp. they want to be and at what time. There are also visual barriers provided for territorial reasons. How would you keeping these lizards inside heat them in winter. Perhaps with a 250 watt heat lamp. Think about one light and how a 5' lizard could heat its ENTIRE body under it. It could not. That is why I see many Varanids and Iguanids with heat burns on the back as they sit in one spot with one light on that spot for hours trying to acheive a natural state of being. As Varanids and Iguanids forage constantly food should be offered in sufficient quantity and frequently. One terrible thing is a horribly obese lizard in a small cage which usually die after a few years. Folks these lizards in situ are active unbelievably quick creatures. I'm not going into any more details but if you provide adequate envviroments, food, and understanding its easy to breed most kinds of herps. Therein lies the key. I've given you basically a ot of info without saying much. If its done right you will acheive results....TC

Wow, I can't wait to read what he writes back. But as for the lightings for varanids, iguanas etc; Instead of using one mega lamp, use a bank of lights with low wattages, it could be two flood lamps or a trio of lamps allowing enough heat/light coverage for large lizards. Try using 2 or 3, 45 watt floods or other wattages, the point is to get that nice hot proper temp for basking which could be 130 degrees plus. These mega wattages they sell, ppl put them at 8-12" and cook their lizards. Some ppl. dont even use lights, they just give proper temps. Their lizards thrive with no lighting, just good temps

Actually I'm agreeing with FR completely. This was a follow up on his about supplements. FR makes a lot of sense and what he says is just common sense for the most part. The problem is people not understanding the few simple rules. All you have to do is listen to the lizards.....TC

"FR makes a lot of sense and what he says is just common sense for the most part"

I aint to sure about the first part, (sory Frank, couldn't resist hahaha)the second part, I whole heartedly agree.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.