Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I may be adopting an iguana in a while(for any of you that read my post below about building a temporary cage my friend has decided to stay home so i dont have to take care of his) so instead of building the cage in my current room and losing most of it(and my room gets prety cold in the winter)i have decided to switch rooms with my brother and change his closet into and iguana cage. the closet is 9 feet long 5 feet wide and 8 feet high. plus he will be albe to free roam in my room during the day when i am home.

first question
What would be the best thing to put on the walls?
i was thinking about using that shower baord stuff because it can deal with the humidity. but i dont bealive i can buy it in different colors. and it is to smooth to paint.
What else would be easy to use and can deal with the humidity?

Question 2
What is the best way to light this thing? it is 8 feet high so i have some room at the top for lights. i was thinking about building down about a foot to hold all of the light fixtures. how well would resessed lighting work?

any comments would be apreciated since this will be the first time i have built a big cage.

Thanks Mike d
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0.0.1 iguana
1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle
then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

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We used a type of white paint that Is used in bathrooms. It has something in it that is resistant to water damage. Then we did the mural and sealed it in with a spray sealant. The floor was also sealed with the White Paint and then tiled. As for lighting, I use two 4 foot track light and two 4 foot strip lights. My Guys Closet/house (we call it his habitat or his house) Is 8 feet long and tall and 3 feet deep. We had to change his "furniture" cause of a mite problem we had. I'll be getting some new pics soon. Instead of branchs, he now has boards covered in outdoor carpet. But Here's what His house use to look like....

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2.0 Iguanas, 2.4 Beardies, 1.2.1 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.2 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.1 eastern garter, 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses (soon to be three {Baby next May!!!}), 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

the biggest thing in the closet is it was not finished(it only had sheetrock on it and no plywood. so i was wondering what the best thing would be to put on the wall. i will paint it probably like a greenish color.
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0.0.1 iguana
1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle
then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

I'm no contracter... Don't know what to use to "finish" the closet... The closet my guy is in was "finished" with Sheet rock. Then, like I said, We sealed it with the paint. That's the best I can give ya for advice... Maybe someone with more building expertise can give ya more info... Sorry I couldn't help more. Be sure to post pics when It's done!
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2.0 Iguanas, 2.4 Beardies, 1.2.1 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.2 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.1 eastern garter, 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses (soon to be three {Baby next May!!!}), 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

your info was helpful but the sheetrock in the closet now is all busted up so i have to redo it .. but i am going t do what is nesseasary to have my guy comfortable(if i can adopt. sent in the application now i have to wait)
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0.0.1 iguana
1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle
then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

Hey Mike!

That closet sounds PERFECT!!! You will be able to do some amazing things with that space, especially if you design it properly so that you get maxium usage of the room you have to work with!

Regarding showerboard, absolutely! It's an excellent choice for siding, and is what I picked for Myka's cage. It comes in tons of colors, with different shades of green to chose from I used a deep forest green. It comes in large sheets, is fairly cheap, and can easily be cut to appropriate sizes. It's tough, and holds up to iguana claws, and isn't harmed by high humidity.

Now, for lighting! With a space that big, you'll need several lights. Since UVB lights are expensive, you only need to purchase one (if you can afford more than one, by all means, go for it!) and place it in the main basking spot. I'm using a 160watt flood Powersun right now, and I'd go for the 160 watt with the cage you're building due to it's size. Although this light also provides heat, you'll need a CHE (ceramic heat element) near it as well to ensure that the basking temperatures are adequate. You may even need two of these because your cage is going to be so large? I'm not sure though, ask around.

You have to keep in mind that iguanas are used to being high up in the canopies, and are used to BRIGHT sun. I'd add at least two lights soley to provide lots of bright light to mimmick the natural habitat as much as possible. You're right about the resessed lighting, cage off about the top foot of the enclosure with sturdy screening to make sure that the iguana cannot come in contact with the hot lights. Try to design it in a way that you can easily access the lights when need be, it'll come in handy when a bulb needs replacing!

You'll be able to do a lot of cool things with that closet, so plan everything carefully! Looks like you're headed on the right path with getting a new pet Lots of research is essential!!

Ask LOTS of questions here, and feel free to email me if you want more specific caging help (hahaha, yeah, now I'm sounding like i think i know what i'm talking about )

Good luck, and let me know how things progress for you, okay?

Wendy

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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."

Thanks for the advice and i will definatley post as i progress. and i love your cage!! now if i do not end up adopting that iguana(not sure if they will think i have enough expirenece because i have never had and iguana and i have had 2 lizards die unexpextingly at young ages, and we have quite a few pets.) but if i dont do you think that area would be to big to put a baby in? if so how big should they be before they are introduced into a cage of that size?

Mike d
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1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle

then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

I was just talking to my dad and i misread the measurements thats he wrote down the corect measurements are 7.5 feet long 5feet wide and 8 feet tall. is this space still big enough? he will have ample time to roam in my room when i get home from school(2pm-8pm just about every day)

also since the rom i am moving into is my little brothers room he had bunkbeds so is there a way that i could convert the top bunk into a large basking area? also it is near a window so during the summer i car open it and he would have access to natural sunlight!!

if this will still work i will probably start cleaning it out this weekend and start buying the stuff to finish it!
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1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle

then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

This size is still going to be great! The minimum measurements are 6x6x3ft I think.

Now, you need to be extremely careful with your iguana and windows, even when there are window screens in them! Their strength is surprising, and it would be horrible for your iguana to get out by accident! It is best to only expose them to natural light when they are harnessed to avoid potential disastors. However, my iguana loves to bask next to the huge picture window in my house, it gets to be quite warm and she really enjoys it.

The free roam time sounds great, but be careful that s/he doesn't find any small objects to ingest, because believe me, they eat pretty crazy things.

In the post right before this one, you asked about that cage size regarding a baby. I've never delt with a baby, as I got my female when she was 6, I'm not totally sure. If you provided ample hiding spaces and lots of vines or something of that sort to make the cage feel smaller, I'm sure a hatchling would feel secure. However...look into adopting an adult. There are so many out there who are neglected and dying that make GREAT pets, and many are already reasonably tame.

You mentioned that you have a large number of pets, and that this will be your first lizard? Wait, I think you have a lizard already...or...well, either way, are you positive you can make the committment to an iguana? They take up a lot of time and effort, as well as money.

Also, how old are you? It sounds as though you're still in high school, so are you sure your life has enough stability in it to encompass an iguana? What will happen when you go to university? Does the university you want to go to allow pets on campus? Will you be able to afford an iguana when you live on your own? All of these things (and more!!) need to be taken into great consideration before you actually make the decision to get an iguana. I'm not trying to scare you away from getting an iguana, because they can make AMAZING pets, I just want you to make sure that you do the right thing!

Thanks for looking into this so much!

Wendy

PS: Snapping turtles are awesome...I hatch a clutch every year
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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."

right now i am a junior in college and when i got to college i am staying local so i can look after my pets . about adopting and adult iguana i would love to and the one that i sent and aplication in on is about and hour drive from me so i hope so much that i get accepted! i cant wait to hear back! do you by any chance know how long it ussually takes for them to get back to you on an adoption? also if you know any sites that are good for adopting iguanas could you point me in the right direction?

thanks mike d

p.s
i love my snapping turtle he was resucue. we found him in our yard near our pool and there are no perminant water suplies around my house and he was thin and looked sick so i brought him in and he is doing great! i hope to be able to release him in the spring! the same thing happend witht he painted turtle..lol
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1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle

then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

meant junior in high school
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1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle

then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

greenigsociety.org is one. Im sure it wont be hard for you to find an ig for adoption locally either. Any state rescues?

Sarah (HS freshmen)<g>

I just adopted out a baby green ig I rescued through them, they're great. I love greeniguanasociety.org, too. Baby sitting your friend's iguana (if I remember right, you're doing that first as a test run?) will help people see you as an iguana owner, as will having a nice big enclosure all ready for your new iguana.

Something I think would be helpful for people looking to adopt would be to go to green ig society's page, and go to the list of questions for people adopting OUT to ask. Some people I interviewed were totally unprepared for some questions, and it will also give you a sense of what owning an iguana requires. Here, let me see if I can find the link...
Adoption Guide for Owners

i was going to watch my friends but he decided to stay home to watch the iguana instead of putting it thru the stress of moving it around becasue i could not go there very day because he live 30-45 min away from me.
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1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle

then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

The guy that has the iguana that i want to adopt emailed me and said that i would know if i am able to adopt casey(the iguana) by the end of the week! but alas their are other aplicants as well i hope he chooses me! wish me luck!

Mike D
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1.0.0 water dragon
0.0.1 mali uromastyx
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.0.1 common snapping turtle

then the ussual
2 dogs
6 cats
misc fish
hermit crabs
rat
misc. fish

My Email

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

If it doesn't work out with this one, there are so many other reptiles that need homes... good luck!

-Erin

>>right now i am a junior in college and when i got to college i am staying local so i can look after my pets . about adopting and adult iguana i would love to and the one that i sent and aplication in on is about and hour drive from me so i hope so much that i get accepted! i cant wait to hear back! do you by any chance know how long it ussually takes for them to get back to you on an adoption? also if you know any sites that are good for adopting iguanas could you point me in the right direction?
>>
>>
>>thanks mike d
>>
>>p.s
>>i love my snapping turtle he was resucue. we found him in our yard near our pool and there are no perminant water suplies around my house and he was thin and looked sick so i brought him in and he is doing great! i hope to be able to release him in the spring! the same thing happend witht he painted turtle..lol
>>-----
>>1.0.0 water dragon
>>0.0.1 mali uromastyx
>>0.1.0 painted turtle
>>0.0.1 common snapping turtle
>>
>>then the ussual
>>2 dogs
>>6 cats
>>misc fish
>>hermit crabs
>>rat
>>misc. fish
>>
>>My Email
>>
>>ITS NOT ABOUT YOU DIEING FOR YOUR COUNTRY, ITS ABOUT MAKING YOUR ENEMY DIE FOR HIS.
>>
>>HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH
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"It's not a matter of IF...but WHEN" ~Bill Haast~

"Joy unspeakable...to be holding death in your hands..."