¿Qué comen las iguanas?

Aunque parezca que las iguanas tienen roedores y otros animales pequeños en su menú diario, son puramente vegetarianas. Una excepción son las iguanas muy jóvenes, que comen pequeños insectos de vez en cuando debido a sus mayores necesidades de proteínas. Por lo demás, los reptiles prefieren las hojas, las plantas, las frutas y las verduras. Lo ideal es una lechuga rica en nutrientes y vitaminas en una proporción del 80 % y frutas y verduras en una proporción del 20 %. Para cubrir las necesidades de calcio, son adecuados los huesos de sepia o los complementos alimenticios que contienen calcio.

Pet Iguanas - Accommodation, care and maintenance

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Lau banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) – H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Content Content Things You Should Know About Your Iguanas The optimal accommodation for iguanas What do iguanas eat?? Iguanas need a lot of attention List of Iguanas for their maintenance in captivity Content

Due to its comparatively simple breeding requirements, the iguanas are very popular, especially among beginners in reptile breeding in terrariums. Reptiles fascinate for their diversity of species, but they also require some special care that must be taken into account when choosing an animal. Here you can read more about the appearance, the origin and conservation of iguanas. Immerse yourself in the world of reptiles and learn exciting information about the different species.

Things You Should Know About Your Iguanas

Many species of iguanas live in the forests of South and Central America, preferring this warm and humid vegetation of the region, where they can be found climbing trees. But, depending on the species, these lizards also live on the ground or in rocky outcrops. Iguanas belong to the order of Pangolins and are closely related to the Chameleons and the Red-headed rock agama. In total, there is almost 40 different species, from the Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) until the Long-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), which are divided into eight genera.

The iguanas differ in color and size. There are species that only grow a few centimeters, while others can reach a majestic total length of more than two meters. It is characteristic that the tail is longer than the body. In the color, the Green iguana (Iguana iguana) is especially known. But, may also have gray accents, blue, brown and even red on their scales. Males also change color from green to brown during the mating season..

The iguanas have a life expectancy of 10 to 20 years. You should take this fact into account before buying a iguana. It also, iguanas live in a social group in the wild and should not be kept alone at home. It is better to keep a pair or two females in combination with a male.

The optimal accommodation for iguanas

The iguanas need space, enough opportunities to climb and different levels of trees, branches and plants. How they can reach a total length of two meters at the time they fully grow, the enclosure must already offer enough space in advance for reptiles to develop freely. Hiding places are also part of the terrarium. Caves made of cork or other natural materials are suitable for this. Iguanas are also excellent swimmers. A combination of many climbing possibilities and a natural substrate with a water basin are ideal for reptiles.

Since iguanas come from warm and humid regions, a tropical climate is a basic requirement for the well-being of lizards. So, the terrarium should be heated and kept moist with an irrigation system. A humidity of the 90 % is optimal. The temperature must be higher than 35 degrees, but iguanas feel more comfortable at night if the temperature cools to a few 25 degrees.

Another important point in the optimal configuration of the terrarium is the light intensity, since this should not only be especially high, but also contain UV-A and UV-B irradiation.

What do iguanas eat??

Although it may seem that iguanas have rodents and other small animals on their daily menu, are purely vegetarian. An exception is very young iguanas, who eat small insects from time to time due to their higher protein needs. Otherwise, reptiles prefer leaves, the plants, fruits and vegetables. The ideal is a lettuce rich in nutrients and vitamins in a proportion of 80 % and fruits and vegetables in a proportion of 20 %. To meet calcium needs, cuttlefish bones or food supplements containing calcium are suitable.

Iguanas need a lot of attention

The maintenance of a iguana can be complex. These may include, reptiles take up a lot of space and require a coordinated technical system in the enclosure to achieve optimal weather conditions. Feeding is not usually complicated, but must be provided in the appropriate proportions.

Wide climbing possibilities are essential to keeping iguanas. Even outside the terrarium, an iguana can enjoy the fresh air in summer in a safe area of the garden, for example. It is important that nothing poisonous is found in its vicinity. Since variety is also part of the natural needs of an iguana, terrarium furniture can also be varied or reorganized regularly.

When it comes to cleaning, you have to take into account some things. Food and fresh water should be a matter of course every day. If there is a pile of water in the ground, reptiles can urinate on it when climbing. So, you should also make sure that the water is always fresh and clean..

In general, iguanas are popular pets and are suitable for beginners if cared for properly. But, your requirements and, above all, the space they need are huge. This should be considered before buying. With proper care, these lizards can also be tamed and bring joy to the whole family.