Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm about to build my iguana and outdoor cage, so she can get some natural sunlight. I was wondering, have any of you with outdoor living iguanas noticed any behavioral changes? My girl is a sweet heart, it'd be a shame if that changed with her new limited freedom.

Thanks!
Andrew
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2.1 Corn Snakes
1.2 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Crested Geckos
1.2 Green Anoles
1.0 Russian Tortoise
3.1 House Cats
0.0.1 African Millipede

RIP
Alice, Bruno, Lars, Snakey, Elizabeth

oh yes, in my experience. Since most iguanas are not kept warm enough, when you let them outside and they have the choice to heat up you see the full potential and spectrum of behavior. More alert, more active, vibrant color, how you would see them in the wild. They hate to come back inside. You would be doing your iguana a favor

My Ig outgrew his inside cage, though he goes back when it is cold here in SOCAL. He has an atrium with a high sunny shelf and a heating pad under another pad (so he won't burn his belly) if it cools down beyond his liking. He also has a drainable "swimming pool", but that is mainly his toilet, and must be kept clean. He is very healthy out there, and I can walk into his atrium and pet him. He actually seems less nervous about petting when he is on a shelf at eye level and has an easy escape route if he wants to get away. I think, in many ways, he is tamer than when he felt cornered inside.

Awesome! Maureen, do you by chance have any pictures of your enclosure? And, do you leave your Ig outside all year around?
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2.1 Corn Snakes
1.2 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Crested Geckos
1.2 Green Anoles
1.0 Russian Tortoise
3.1 House Cats
0.0.1 African Millipede

RIP
Alice, Bruno, Lars, Snakey, Elizabeth

I do not have a photogallery account w/Kingsnake, but if you email me at:maucar123@yahoo.com, I will send you pictures. BTW, living three houses down from me is an Iguana who lives outdoors year round. I may have a picture of his enclosure, too. I'll look.

It will change quite a lot. You might want to NOT handle it when it is real hot,they will be rather hyper then. If you use wire you can count on toe injuries at some point. Also from the human viewing stand point if you paint the wire black it becomes almost invisable. Make sure it has a hide box on the ground with some straw or something soft as it will bult when scared (dogs scare the hell out of them) and will crash into the wire and do big damage. For this reason it is good for the bottom sides be NOT wire for about a foot or so from the floor. In the beginning put in several hide boxes. Put them in every corner. Make sure the floor is solid or they will dig out. Tack the wire down really tight every couuple inches. If there is a week spot they will find it. Make sure the door is not near where they like to bask. Check out what time the sun hits the cage in advance of construction. You will love your outside enclosure and the way you can make it look natural. They love Sun and rain. Vic Morgan