Iguana Ecology - Environment Iguanas Really Love

Iguanas are crucial to survive extinction, as it is part of the eco-system. Without the iguanas, the balance of ecosystem may be damaged. That is why we, as more intelligent creations must help to preserve them. In preserving these animals, people need to know the appropriate ecological atmosphere for the iguanas.

However, replicating ecological condition for the iguanas in captivity is a very challenging task. Iguanas are very dependent on their surroundings in terms of temperature as to their body heat and food supply as to the proper body chemistry and metabolism.

Iguanas inhabit the forests of Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands. They inhabit trees growing near bodies of water in the deep jungle. They prefer adjacent to water sources as a form of defense from predators. There, they can be seen basking on large horizontal tree limbs or feeding amount the foliage. Iguanas are intensely territorial so no more than a single large male will be found in a specific area encompassing about a quarter to a half-acre in size. In captivity, cage size is often not much longer than 1.5 times the iguana's length. This exemplifies how adaptable these creatures really are.

The natural habitat for iguanas is warm and humid. It is very important their artificial homes must be near to the real life condition of their habitat in terms of heat and humidity. Failure to do so might make them sick or die.

The size of their cage must consider that iguanas grow to as big as 6 feet in length. These lizards must be given ample space to move about and allow them to grow freely. Regular iguana cages must be around 6 feet tall with its width twice as long. This size gives room also for branches of trees where the iguanas could stay and play around. As a rule, the width of the cage must be always twice the height. If the cage size is small for the full potential of the iguana, its growth will be impeded and even injure them due to stress, muscle strain and weakness. It will also promote build up of fat and eventually make them stagnant, weak and prone to sickness.

Room temperature that must be observed must be 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking temperature they need from the sun ranges from 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit while the regular air temperature they are accustomed is no lower than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Being cold blooded reptiles, they need that much heat. It is part of their normal body metabolism especially their digestive system. Without the proper surrounding temperature, iguanas will not be able to digest their food properly and trigger to cause illness which may compound to more health issues eventually. Iguanas like other animals do sleep. Therefore it is necessary that his surroundings be able to provide total darkness during the night without jeopardizing the required temperature.

Iguanas must not be allowed to roam free around the house in cold places and live on its own. They might be exposed to long period of cold temperature only to find out it is too late the reverse the situation. By the time the problem is noticed these pet may have already contracted bone diseases that are often incurable.

Iguanas eat leaves and flowers. If you feed them with diet that is too rich in protein and carbohydrates, they will soon become unhealthy and sickly

It is necessary to replicate iguanas' natural habitat to ensure their survival in their protective artificial homes. Before deciding to keep an iguana, acquire first the knowledge about its biophysical anatomy, healthcare, eating traits and food requirements. Lastly and most important, learn the basics of its surroundings and provide an accurate replication of its natural environment.