Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all. I'm new here, and as of yet am not an iguana owner. I've kept an anole named Ammit for something like 7 months, although that's small time compared to an iguana! I've always wanted one, and I have an immense interest and respect for the animals. It will be some time before I can save up the resources to purchase an iguana and everything I will need to care for it. For now, I have 2 main questions:

First, on the subject of cages. This will be a much larger expense than the animal itself. I live in an appartment with a small doorway, so the tank that I will buy - if I am indeed still at this residence when I eventually purchase it - will need to be something that I can put together inside rather than a solid tank that can't be taken apart. A home-made tank seems like my best option, although I'm skeptical of the real quality of some plans that I see. I want the absolute best for my iguana, but I can't spend exuberant amounts of money on a fancy cage. Read: Cost effective, but not cheap! I will pay extra for quality if it really is something my iggy will need, but I don't want to pay more if it isn't necessary for his/her health and happiness. What has worked for you? What should I look for? Or just as important, what types of cages, parts, furniture, options, etc should I avoid like the plague? (cedar chip substrate is one I've already been told to stear clear of, anything else like that?) Are the PVC pipe and mesh home-built cages that I've seen online any good, or are plexi tank-like constructions better?

the other question is a bit simpler. WHat are the best iguana care books out there? I have my eye on "Green Iguana - the Ultimate Owner's Manual" as I have heard on a few online sources that it's very good, but are there any others that you have found better and more informative? The more info - as long as it's correct, quality info - the better. I want to read up on them now while I'm saving up for everything :^)

Hmmm...
Iguanas are not exactly for the cost-conscious buyer, nor for the small-apartment type.

Green Iguana - the Ultimate Owner's Manual
it's in my own humble opinion, the best book out there.
Melissa Kaplan's Iguanas for Dummies is very good as well, but one can just go visit her website
http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/
It is an excellent website that has been around for /- 10 years. If you want to save money, print out everthing from that website, and u got an iguana care book. Hatfield's book is more expensive, but worth it. Avoid Barlett's, it is quite outdated.

On-line cages are overpriced, and often barely meet the minimum space requirements.
You are aware that an iguana will need an enclosure roughly 4ft. deep, 7ft. long, and 7ft tall right? Baby/juvenile iguanas will do fine in enclosures almost half the size mentioned above.
However, keep in mind it is cheaper to buy/build a big one now, and forget it, than buy/build new ones gradually as the animal grows.

Mesh cages are best for indoors, unless u have a room to devote for the aninal (or a bathroom) that can be kept warm and humid.
Some build 3 walls glass, and the fron mesh, for ventilation.
Others use a bathroom's shower, where tiles, water and drain make cleaning a snap. However, showers are often tall, but narrow, making it cramped for an animal with such a long and poorly flexible tail.

Plywood is another material u can use, and use glass for the front. It is harder to clean, can deform with time and humidity, crack, etc. Hence why an initial good coating of polyurethane will help. Oh, and get it nice and thick, strong.

Go to HomeDepot and look around, and you'll get some ideas.
If you live in a warm climate, and have a balcony/terrace, the cage can be outdoors.

Hatfield's book does provide an excellent model for building a cage. Although his is a tad overly fancy, just look at the basic idea, and see how far you can take his example. But his cage design is one of the best I've seen.

Substrate... cedar chips are a no no... the sand calcium sold can be ingested and cause impaction. I used to use that fake grass/turf carpet thing. I cut it into squares, and placed it as substrate, keeping extras on the side. Whenever one got soiled, I'd change it with a clean one, and clean the soiled one with hot water and bleach or whatever u got (lysol, etc).

Hygene is a top priority. Some books may tell u u can clean once or 2-3 times a week. WRONG. You clean every day, and cleaning is not just picking up the mess, I mean cleaning! Unless you want a smelly place, and an animal that drags feces all over (the tail especially).

I also advice to find a well-tamed, healthy, young adult iguana, so roughly a 2.5 - 3 footer. They're often abandoned and need a good home, so you'd be doing a noble thing. A baby is cute, but more delicate, and will need worming etc. Either way is fine.

Check out Kaplan's website. It will answer a lot of questions for you (it would take me all day, hahaha). Let us know what you're gonna do.
Asian Water Dragons (Australians even better) are a great alternative, or even dwarf monitors ('Akies').

Good luck!

-IJ

Check this regarding habitats:
http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html#captive

Roger