Would this be an ideal home for an adult iguana??

Question

I'm planning on getting an iguana.. but i want to start off with a big reptarium where it will be his permanent home. I was thinking if the new Exo-Terra Glass Terrarium would be too small. The biggest size they have at PetSmart is 18" x 18" x 24" (LxWxH). Then I was thinking of the Reptarium by Apogee. They measure their terariums by gallons. They have a 175 gallon it measure 29" x 29" x 48" (LxWxH). There is also a 260 gal. measures 29" x 29" x 72". I don't know what a good size home for an adult iguana would be. I actually am second thinking on the Apogee Reptarium because it is made of a kind of soft mesh kind of material, but it is said to help minimize odor and give the lizards fresh air. I'm quite new at this so I really don't know much about Iguana care. I have been studying quite a bit though, but you never know what the experiance will be like until you actually get one.

edit - green iguana

edit- If I were to get a really large parrot cage for my iguana how could I be able to keep it at the warm tempetures that is needed for the iguana to survive in?? If I let it run loose in my room wouldn't it get sick because it's not at the temperature it is accustomed to.

Answer 1

Adult Iguanas are just about 6 feet (72 inches) long from nose to tail tip. The largest cage you mention is less than 2 feet wide and long. You need a much larger cage. Look for at least 7 feet (84") long, wide and tall. Actually, larger would be better. He needs enough room so he can stretch out and not bang his tail on anything.
At least when he is adult size. It sounds like you only want to buy one cage for him, so these are not big enough.
They sell that soft mesh at hardware stores. You could make one yourself.
Better yet, give him his own room, or the run of the house like a cat or dog. You could keep him in your room (Iguana proofed of course) while you are out, then let him run around the house when you are home watching him.
I want to mention something about large cages (or free roam of the house). If you buy a baby Iguana, it is a good idea that his cage grows with him. If you stick a baby into a huge cage (or let him run loose), he can get lost. If he can't find food and heat easily he may die. If you can't find him for bonding time he may not appreciate company when he is older. If you have to chase him down everytime, you may injure him and he won't be as easily tamed.
Consider getting the larger of the cages you mention for him while he is small, then transfer him to the larger cage (or room) when he outgrows it.
Always read books in addition to reading websites. Books have the most accurate information. Talk to people who own Iguanas and reptile store owners. Not Petco or Petsmart those people are idiots.
I mentioned Iguanas get BIG. I also want to mention that a lot of them HATE dogs. If the Iguana gets to be the size of a cat, (and it will) with a 4 foot tail, it can do a dog some serious damage. I'm not exagerating sizes. They get HUGE!!!
Hope this helps.
Check bird cage manufacturers. They have some really cool new cages out that look great and are huge.

Look up Bearded Dragons. They would love the cage sizes you mention. Iguanas might be larger than you want.


EDIT:
To have them loose in the room or house you have a basking station. Set up UV lamps in a few locations and he will go there to warm up. Heating pads are also a good idea.
I hope you see this, you should consider getting Email.

Answer 2

The best thing you can do is make a wire cage outdoors. An adult iguana needs a LOT of room. About 8' x 6' x 6'. When they are babies you can use a small tank like the one Petsmart used. Adult iguanas are like 6 feet long with their tail so be prepared. Some people have an iguana room or an iguana closet. They can be taught to use the little box, they just need heat and light.

Answer 3

Then I would either buy another cage or not get and Iguana. A full grown Iguana needs a very large cage a friend of mine moved his to a spare bedroom when he grew to big for his largest cage which was 6 foot tall by 6 ft wide .Bearded dragons are nice if your cage is at least a 55 gallon size . Or If it is smaller than that go with a leopard gecko .

Answer 4

First, consider the fact that large iguanas are very messy when they go the the bathroom. Cleaning up after them is disgusting to say the least. The novelty wears off eventually after dealing with this for a period of time. They also die very easily. I had an adult that was 4+ feet long, so I speak from experience. If you decide to get one, I had a condominium style bird cage that I kept mine in. It was very large, at least 3.5' X 2.5'. The others you have described sound much too small as your iguana will get bigger.

Answer 5

i would not suggest getting a huge cage to start out with. they are a lot of money, and the iguana may not get that big, it could get sick and die, or you might realize you can't care for it the way it needs to be cared for. plus its going to be 5-6 years before you need a giant cage. the apogee set-ups are very hard to keep the humidity up. try starting out with a 29 gallon, it will be tall enough for it climb and enough space for the first year or two. the exo-terra cages are really nice i know they make them bigger than that look around some more. good luck!

Answer 6

all ther answers are great but i would say to do a lot more studying and info gathering and talking to people who actually have or have had an iguana before u invest into anything. buying a pet of any kind is not only a financial but an emotional investment and u must make sure u have the proper time and energy to take care of it properly. good luck

Answer 7

hi i had an iguana and it had like a 6 foot cage. they need room to run around. if i were you i would build one. if you want i can help you build it. as far as material and stuff like that. and then you can truly be happy at the end. because you built the home your iguana will be in. if you want to build one let me know and i will tell you what you need. it might only cost you 50 dollars that probably cheaper. then the one you are going to buy. e-mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 8

You will need a huge tank. About the size of a large bathroom. Iguanas are not for people who have never had reptiles before. They can be dangerous, and are very expensive. Please dont get one, because i guarantee you that you do not know how to care for one properly.

Answer 9

12 footX12footX12foot iguanas need alot ALOT or room....it would be cheaper to make a spare bedroom into a big cage.....I would recamend starting off with a smaller iguana.......18"X18"x24" would be big enough for a baby!!..lol if you have any questions or would like some info you can IM me or e-mail me and I can either help you, my husband or our best friend whom owns a reptile store in St.Louis, Missouri

Answer 10

It all depends on these basic,simple things: What type of iguana, how large that type grows, will you be taking it out of its habitat constantly, and what kinds of foods you will be giving it. If it is just a common iguana, I would recommend that 29"x29"x72". However, if it is a tropical iguana, who are content to spend only two hours of day on land, and require a water habitat, I would recommend that you chose a even larger terranium. The soft, mesh actually does produce a slight problem; the dirt and terranium you use may get kicked out constantly..or his tail may become stuck. But it's overall okay. Anything else?