How to Raise Iguanas

Iguanas are great pets that can live for many years when cared for properly. Raising iguanas from small, young lizards, into the large 6-foot-long creatures they will become may take a lot of patience, but it is well worth the effort, in the long run.

Instructions

1. Set up the environment. You will need a large aquarium, a heat lamp, small gravel for bedding, and either real or artificial vegetation. It is also a important to provide the young iguana with rocks or bigger logs, as it will need to have a hard surface to rub on, when it comes time to shed its skin.

2. Place the environment in a strategic location. While natural sunlight is desirable for your new pet, drafts caused by cold air from a window can be harmful to your lizard. Consider a location away from doors that can let cold air in in the winter, as well as heat or air conditioning vents, that can cause sudden temperature changes throughout the year.

3. Give your iguana fresh water daily. Use a shallow pan or cookie sheet, as iguanas sometimes like to bathe. Be sure that any water you provide for bathing is at room temperature, and that your iguana has access to a heat rock, or natural sunlight, in order to dry itself afterwards.

4. Feed your iguana live insects for the first several months of its life. You can obtain crickets from most local pet stores, for a relatively inexpensive amount. In addition to the insects, you should also provide your young iguana with fresh vegetables which have been thoroughly cleaned. Good choices are broccoli, carrots, and green beans. Stay away from lettuce and cabbages, as these can be harmful to digestion. Offer fruits, such as apples or pears, but avoid any acidic fruits, such as oranges, or grapefruits.

5. Stop feeding insects when your iguana no longer shows interest in them. Young iguanas will eat mostly insects, while mature lizards will reject them altogether.