Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas for an Iguana cage. My iguana is 7 years old and is ready for a new cage. First of all, I don't find the cage too appealing to the eyes. It is constructed out of PVC and plastic mesh and is 72 X 72 X 48 so it is very long. The construction of it worked well when he was at the reptile shelter (they gave me the cage to go home with him) because the room is all concrete so when the cage was "messy" they could just hose it out and all would go down the drain. The room I have him in is carpeted so I have had to cover the bottom mesh with rubber mats so nothing will get on the floor. Also, this cage is not good for humidity. Again, at the shelter the entire room was humid and moist so all of the Iguanas benefited from this, at my home moisture cannot stay in the cage because it is ALL mesh, so everything escapes.

I am hoping to find a design that incorporates the idea of a "light box" for the top of the enclosure. My iguanas current cage has one so most of the time his big cage is empty because he loves to sit on top of the cage and look out the window. There are heat vents in the celing above his cage, plus he get's the belly heat from the lights below. We have also drilled UVB flourecent bulbs into the celing so he can get his UVB up there too.

I guess if anyone has a cage that holds humidity well and has a light box on top, if you could please post a picture? Also just a note, he being a rescued Ig, is missing most of his toes. He is not a climber, and cannot be due to his injuries. I am hoping to find a design that does not require a lot of climbing so he will not be restricted.

Thanks!

LOL! We just turned over our master bathroom to our largest iguana before his adoption out.

However... for the smaller non roaming guys I used aquariums that had broken sides. I just pulled out the remaining pieces, put in strips of plexiglass that fit into the aquarium frame, then I used aquarium sealant to glue mesh in place for ventilation.

I'm thinking something along those lines might work for you. I know it has to be a great deal bigger though.

What about simply building a huge box structure in the corner of a room with one or two viewing "sides"? You could use the walls to support ramps since he isn't able to climb.

I can visualize a way to "shut in" the cage when you need to maximize humidity.

Here in AZ we have a problem with retaining humidity in our terrariums too. Still, I've noticed that in my open topped tortoise box the humidity remains at about 70% - 75%with a permanent water feature. And the open top on this is huge. The terrarium measures 2'L x 2'W x 12" T. The entire top portion of the terrarium is open. And I've noticed when I put the screen top back on, the humidity goes up - ALOT.

Maybe a permanent water feature, small reptile fountain in a shallow box of water? Fogger in a box of water? I'm thinking of a cat litter pan.

IF I could have an iguana as a permanent resident I really would build an enclosure in the corner of my living room with a narrow side with screen material and the front main viewing side with plexiglass. If I needed to I could/would make the screened side so that I could drop in plexi plates to slow down the escape of moisture.

What do you think?

Sharon

Here's Myka's cage (unfinished)...it was built to hold humidity as well as heat, and there is a screened in section that holds all lighting and heating equipment. (Ignore the ugly reflection from the window in the next room)

Good luck with building your cage!

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..."

Weird! I've admired that picture many times before, and I always thought that one of the coolest parts of the cage was that you had built it around a window in the room!!!

I've seen pictures of your cage before, I have to say that is what I have always envisioned! I LOVE it!

It had to have beeen hard to build. Can I ask what amount of money you put into it? Did you do the plans and build it all yourself? Any advice on building something like that would be much appreciated. My husband is pretty crafy with wood and I'm sure he could make something similar (maybe not as nice though). Does it come apart easily?

It looks like the only thing I would have to change is putting ramps in there instead of logs. Also, how well does it keep warm? What wattage of bulbs and how many do you use?

Thanks!

~Ellena