My Iguana Page:
Most of the information I have gathered on the subject of iguanas
has been derived from Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Page I would
definately advise anyone with any type of reptile to visit her
page. Prepare to be informed!
Enclosures: When you rescue or purchase
an ig, keep in mind that they need room. Any enclosure you build
is going to be too small! An enclosure is only for containing
the ig for short occasions (i.e., night time, when you are out).
From what I have learned, igs need room to roam and time to socialize
with their surroundings.
I had an enclosure built for LeRoy.
It is approximately 4 foot tall, 4 foot wide, and 6 foot long.
Inside it has a couple of climbing trees, a couple of potted
plants, (be sure if you use live plants they are not toxic to
your ig.) a bunch of plastic plants, water, food, newspaper,
and a towel for the flooring, which can be washed and disinfected
regularly. There are lights with the proper UV, and two heat
lamps for temperature control.
In addition, she has access to a sun
porch with many edible plants, food and water set ups and trees
for her to climb on. She loves it. She jumps from the basking
areas to the plants and hides in the leaves. She sun bathes in
front of the windows watching the outside activities.
Food: After much investigation, I found
out that igs do not, or should not eat LETTUCE, as a primary
source of nutrition.
Igs need vegetables and fruits. They
need vitamin B-6, calcium and protein. Animal based protein can
cause kidney failure so DON'T FEED EGGS, no matter how much they
love it!
After a year, I finally got the basic
salad down to a science... The first mixture I made, I OVER BOUGHT!
There was so much food, I had to throw much of it away. Today,
I am finally learning from my many mistakes.
Although I use different vegetables,
the preparation is basically the same. For some items I use a
food processor and for others a sharp knife to dice works well.
Today for example ...
I minced in the processor: Approximately
1/4 lb green beans, 1 green bell pepper, the stalks from 2-3
brocolli, 1/2 small summer squash, and some zuchinni.
I then diced into pinky-nail size pieces:
Some red cabbage, and the stems and some of the leaves from 1
pound mustard greens and 1 pound turnip greens. The remainder
of the leaves I leave in 1-inch sections in a baggie in the refrigerator.
I put a few leaves on the side for her to rip at!
I then spooned the mix into freezer
cups, each one holding enough for approximately five days.
In a separate container I diced up one
plumb, one peach, one apple, a piece of watermelon, 1/2 melon,
and one pear.
This mixture I spooned it into an ice
cube tray. Each cube equals one day's serving. It easily filled
two trays.
She eats approximately 1/3 cup of the
vegetable mix and 1/2 to 1 ice cube of fruit per day. I hand
mix it together and at that time I add vitamins, sprinkled lightly
over the top. Make sure when using vitamins it has Vitamin B-6.
Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables to rid them of pesticides.
Good luck! Other "recipes" are welcome to be added
to this page. LaPhoenix@aol.com.
Links
http://hometown.aol.com/xxaldrinxx/page/index.htm
Allen's Iguana care pages.
http://www.sonic.net/melissk/ig_care.html
Melissa Kaplan's Giant Green Iguana Information
