I need help building an iguanna cage?

Question

i am looking to build an iguanna cage for my mom's iguanna. I have seen several plans on the internet but i am not really willing to purchase plans. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the best way to build an iguanna enclosure without buying the plans.....

Answer 1

Lizard cages should be at least twice the total length of the lizard. This should be regarded as a minimum for being comfortable. The cage should also be wide enough that allows the lizard to turn around very easily and also move through the entire cage with relative ease.

For example a 3-foot lizard should have an enclosure about six feet wide and about about 2.5-3 feet, with 3 or larger preferred. Height should be 2/3 the length of the enclosure. Arboreal animals will appreciate an even greater height. Iguanas, for example, are happy in cages 6-7 feet high. From these they can view the world.

Some people allow their iguanas to roam about freely and place the iguana in a cage at night or when they are not in the house. A number of people iguanas have both an indoor and an outdoor cage and move the animal from one to the other, depending on the weather (and also where they live).

Bearded dragons are happy to run around smaller tanks when they are young but they will out grow them and need a larger cage or tank as they grow to adulthood. They also like to have a range of high points around the cage, so it needs to be large enough for branches or rocks that they can perch upon.

Monitors will usually require a very large cage and often it can be a whole room, and even that may not be enough. All large lizards will do best if allowed to free roam. If you are determined to have a species of lizard, but can only afford/keep a smaller enclosure than required, it is strongly suggested you allow the animal free-roaming of the house when supervision is possible. In other words, the lizard should be in the cage during the night and during school/work when no one is home. When someone is home to supervise the lizard, allow it to roam free until bedtime. Similarly on weekends, allow as much time as possible, as these animals are used to moving long distances during the day.

Answer 2

Depends on how big you want it to be and also how big the iguanna is. Remember that a iguanna will grow very large if it has alot of room and wont grow to much if it has limited room.

If you want to go the cheaper route of building a tank then what I would suggest is to go to a glass store. and buy some plexiglass, then go to hardware store and buy some 2 by 4's and some plywood.

when me and my boyfriend built are tank we made it like so.
We had the glass place cut the plexiglass so that the tank was 4 foot deep by 8 foot long. The top of the tank we use a 8 1/2 piece of chicken fence. That way you can lay 4 heat lamps directly on the chicken fence without worry of fire and also to keep the iguanna nice and warm since they like to sun. Also go to pet store and buy about 2 heat rocks for it to lay on. and rather then going with decar or woodchips for the cover. Use fine sand which you can also purchase from the hardware store.


EDIT**
As far as the wood aspect of the tank goes, we used the 2x4's and the ply wood to make a stand for the tank to sit on. But if you do make it like this it can also sit on the ground if you want to save some money.

Hope this helps.

As far as the cost we were able to build it for under 200$ but thats not including the costs of the heating rocks and heat lamps.

Answer 3

The one idea I have is that a large aquarium would be perfect. Usually, if an aquarium glass is broken, nobody tries to fix it, they just throw it away or give it away. But there's no reason one broken glass could not be replaced with chicken wire, and put chicken wire over the top to close it, and you have an iguana cage. The thrift stores may be able to help you, or go to pet shops that feature fish and ask them what happens to their broken aquaria.

Answer 4

i built a iguana cage out of a inside jacket closet in the house, its about 5'x5' and they love it. my husband cut part of the door out with a saw and but cage wire there so they can look out and you can put florescent light in it and heat bulbs and tree branches and shelves its fun,If you have like a built in closet or something similiar it would be cheaper to go that way. Otherwise i also bought a big mesh cage for iguanas through ebay for 100.00 shipping was free and that works too.since i have 3 iguanas!

Answer 5

How about buying a book? There are plans for cages in all books on Iguanas. This way you can be sure you are building exactly what is needed, and won't hurt your mom's pet.

Answer 6

the best way is to make the cage big and it has to be a galss cage and has to have a heat lamp or heat rock and a small part for water and a small part for food and that about it . ps. iguas like vegisetbuls and if they dont eat it in a long time tthen dont beworried they eat aroude mid night and in the affeter non

Answer 7

if a green iguana 6 feet and bigger. you should build one bigger than a 100 gallon tank lets say.

Answer 8

you have two really knowledgable people answering your questions but also remember that iguanas love to climb and be in high places