The Desert Leopard Gecko, one of our favorite reptile pets, originally came to us from the desert areas of India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Habitat
They thrive in the arid desert grasslands among rocks and crevasses, eating whatever insect happens by and licking limestone and other rocks for dew and calcium.
They are nocturnal, hiding during the day from the hot sun and predatory birds and animals.
Markings
The hatchlings start out with broad stripes across their bodies that fade with each shed and become leopard like spots after about six months of age. The desert Leopard Gecko gets its name from the adult markings we are so familiar with today. These adult markings and coloration help them blend in with their rocky terrain.
Unique Qualities
The Desert Leopard Gecko has a thick tail that stores fat and water for times of need. But if a predator grabs it by the tail, the body and tail separate. While the Gecko heads for safety, the predator is left with a still-wiggling tail to hold its attention.
They are readily adaptable to life as a pet, becoming tame in a short amount of time, and willing to be handled even by children. They will eat straight from your hand, but can be left to their own device for a couple of days without any harm done.
Pet Qualities
The Leopard Gecko has grown popular as a pet for good reason. They are:
• Easily tamed, even as adults
• Easy to care for
• Low maintenance
• Hearty
• Long lived - 10-20 years
Kat Magnus has been caring for geckos for over 25 years. Her newest book, "Gecko Care Made Easy," teaches Gecko owners absolutely everything they need to know about caring for their reptile.
http://www.reptilegecko.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kat_G_Magnus
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Turtle Care - How to Care For Your Turtle
If you are considering getting a turtle to keep as a pet, there are a few items you must be willing to acquire and a number of things everyone interested in turtles should know.
Knowledge of the basics of turtle care is a must. When looking for a tank to use for a turtle habitat it needs to be at least 40 gallons. The best way to estimate tank size is to remember that standard requirement for turtles is 15 gallons of tank per inch of turtle. Turtles can also grow three to four times the size they are when they are first purchased.
Turtles also need both land and water to survive, they also require a sun lamp to help them absorb enough vitamin D3 in the winter months if kept indoors.
When handling turtles make sure to wash your hands right afterwards as some turtles are salmonella carriers. This is another reason to make sure to keep your turtles' tank clean with fresh water. This means cleaning it at least once a week to once every other week at the most.
It is also necessary to have an excellent filter system to help keep the tank clean and the turtle happy and healthy, this is because normal tap water in urban areas contains chlorine and fluoride and can disrupt the pH balance in the tank. Letting tap water sit out overnight before putting it in the tank will cause the chlorine to dissipate.
When preparing a turtle enclosure it is better to stay away from using gravel or wood chips to decorate a turtle tank. Uneaten food and waste can collect in the gravel and create an environment that harbors disease when it comes to good turtle care and wood chips are a great place for mold spores to grow.
The other reason is that turtles may try and eat these causing digestion problems. This also applies to any plants added to the tank that need to be non-toxic to a turtle as they may try and eat them. Many normal garden plants can poison turtles.
When considering building the ideal turtle environment, your commitment in providing ongoing turtle care for many years needs to be considered.
All the equipment to properly raise a healthy turtle is not cheap and that needs to be looked at before making a final decision regarding taking on a turtle as a pet. Turtles can live for decades and make great family pet if these concerns are taken care of and anticipated before purchasing a turtle.
H (John) Tucker has a keen interest in pets especially turtles and tortoises. They do make great pets but are a big commitment especially as they can live for many years. Find out more about turtle care.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Tucker
Knowledge of the basics of turtle care is a must. When looking for a tank to use for a turtle habitat it needs to be at least 40 gallons. The best way to estimate tank size is to remember that standard requirement for turtles is 15 gallons of tank per inch of turtle. Turtles can also grow three to four times the size they are when they are first purchased.
Turtles also need both land and water to survive, they also require a sun lamp to help them absorb enough vitamin D3 in the winter months if kept indoors.
When handling turtles make sure to wash your hands right afterwards as some turtles are salmonella carriers. This is another reason to make sure to keep your turtles' tank clean with fresh water. This means cleaning it at least once a week to once every other week at the most.
It is also necessary to have an excellent filter system to help keep the tank clean and the turtle happy and healthy, this is because normal tap water in urban areas contains chlorine and fluoride and can disrupt the pH balance in the tank. Letting tap water sit out overnight before putting it in the tank will cause the chlorine to dissipate.
When preparing a turtle enclosure it is better to stay away from using gravel or wood chips to decorate a turtle tank. Uneaten food and waste can collect in the gravel and create an environment that harbors disease when it comes to good turtle care and wood chips are a great place for mold spores to grow.
The other reason is that turtles may try and eat these causing digestion problems. This also applies to any plants added to the tank that need to be non-toxic to a turtle as they may try and eat them. Many normal garden plants can poison turtles.
When considering building the ideal turtle environment, your commitment in providing ongoing turtle care for many years needs to be considered.
All the equipment to properly raise a healthy turtle is not cheap and that needs to be looked at before making a final decision regarding taking on a turtle as a pet. Turtles can live for decades and make great family pet if these concerns are taken care of and anticipated before purchasing a turtle.
H (John) Tucker has a keen interest in pets especially turtles and tortoises. They do make great pets but are a big commitment especially as they can live for many years. Find out more about turtle care.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=H_Tucker
Which Lizards Make Good Pets?
Let's face it, reptiles aren't everyone's idea of a good pet. Some people may think of them as cold, unemotional and even bit repulsive. But spend a little time with any reptile and you will soon begin to appreciate their intriguing ways and demeanour.
One of the most important considerations for choosing a lizard for a pet is the size of the enclosure.If you buy a lizard as a baby, you may be looking after it for the next 20 years if it lives to be healthy. n this time however, it is likely to grow to be several times it's infant size.
Food is the other main consideration. Lizards have different digestive systems to mammals. Feeding them snacks like chocolate and candy is a bad idea and could potentially kill you pet. Depending on which species you choose, you are more likely to be feeding it vegetables, fruit, insects and worms. You need to carefully research the diet of your chosen lizard. This is one of the most important ways to keep it in good health fr the long term.
Here are some of the most common varieties of lizards that are suitable for keeping as pets.
Iguana
Iguanas are amongst the most common lizards to be kept as pets. they are relatively tame creatures and can live for a long time in captivity. One thing to bear in mind with iguanas however is their size. In the wild these creatures can grow to be massive, some have been measured at up to 7 feet. At this size it become unmanageable to keep as a pet.
Bearded Dragon
A Bearded Dragon is another popular choice for a lizard pet.They can grow up to about 20 inches and eat mainly insects such as crickets but also enjoy many fruits and vegetables. The have a spiky beard which fans out when the creature is threatened. Bearded dragons also display many different and beautiful colors.
Blue Tongued Skink
Skinks are another type f reptile that can make good pets. The blue tongued skink is famous for it's bright blue tongue. They can grow up to 20 inches too and enjoy a diet of earthworms.
Green Anole
The green anole a lizard that is native to North America. they also make good pets. Some people refer to the anole as the American Chameleon because tot has the ability to change color according to it's surroundings. However it is not related to this species at all.
Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko is a smaller lizard which can grow up to 10 inches long.They can live for up to 15 years. It's a nocturnal ground dwelling lizard that is native to Central Asia and India. It has pigmentation similar to a leopard, with black spots over a yellow body.They are insectivores living mainly off insects, spiders and worms. One thing about leopard geckos is that they are solitary creatures so they will not appreciate sharing their habitat with any other animals.
Greg is an online journalist writing for a variety of websites. One of these sites talks about the best types of mouse deterrent.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Isaacs
One of the most important considerations for choosing a lizard for a pet is the size of the enclosure.If you buy a lizard as a baby, you may be looking after it for the next 20 years if it lives to be healthy. n this time however, it is likely to grow to be several times it's infant size.
Food is the other main consideration. Lizards have different digestive systems to mammals. Feeding them snacks like chocolate and candy is a bad idea and could potentially kill you pet. Depending on which species you choose, you are more likely to be feeding it vegetables, fruit, insects and worms. You need to carefully research the diet of your chosen lizard. This is one of the most important ways to keep it in good health fr the long term.
Here are some of the most common varieties of lizards that are suitable for keeping as pets.
Iguana
Iguanas are amongst the most common lizards to be kept as pets. they are relatively tame creatures and can live for a long time in captivity. One thing to bear in mind with iguanas however is their size. In the wild these creatures can grow to be massive, some have been measured at up to 7 feet. At this size it become unmanageable to keep as a pet.
Bearded Dragon
A Bearded Dragon is another popular choice for a lizard pet.They can grow up to about 20 inches and eat mainly insects such as crickets but also enjoy many fruits and vegetables. The have a spiky beard which fans out when the creature is threatened. Bearded dragons also display many different and beautiful colors.
Blue Tongued Skink
Skinks are another type f reptile that can make good pets. The blue tongued skink is famous for it's bright blue tongue. They can grow up to 20 inches too and enjoy a diet of earthworms.
Green Anole
The green anole a lizard that is native to North America. they also make good pets. Some people refer to the anole as the American Chameleon because tot has the ability to change color according to it's surroundings. However it is not related to this species at all.
Leopard Gecko
The leopard gecko is a smaller lizard which can grow up to 10 inches long.They can live for up to 15 years. It's a nocturnal ground dwelling lizard that is native to Central Asia and India. It has pigmentation similar to a leopard, with black spots over a yellow body.They are insectivores living mainly off insects, spiders and worms. One thing about leopard geckos is that they are solitary creatures so they will not appreciate sharing their habitat with any other animals.
Greg is an online journalist writing for a variety of websites. One of these sites talks about the best types of mouse deterrent.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Isaacs
3 Things to Avoid When Raising a Pet Green Iguana - Are You Making These Dangerous Mistakes?
Many people search for information on how to best take care of their pet green iguana. To provide a general overview of the problem area here, you should know that making these mistakes can cause severe illness for your iguana. These issues are so important, that to ignore them could lead to problems like malnutrition or stunted growth - even death for your innocent pet.
When you know you have to cope with the possible loss of your iguana or sky high bills for veterinary care and medicines, then clearly you'll want to avoid doing things that create illness for your iguana. And so, with that in mind, listed below are the three points you have got to carefully avoid:
First off, never use sand or pebbles as a substrate in your iguana's habitat. The reasoning behind that is iguanas use their tongues to 'test' their environment, and small particulates easily stick to the tongue. Sand, pebbles, wood chips or any other small easily swallowed item like this can and will be eaten by your iguana. This leads to stomach and intestinal blockages that can be deadly, or at the very least costly in terms of veterinary bills.
There's no case where this advice should be ignored. Never use small particulate substrates. Instead, stick with an indoor/outdoor carpeting or tile flooring for you pet's habitat..
Second, never feed your iguana bugs or meat. Why? Iguana's are herbivores and survive in the wild by eating plant material. While they may occasionally ingest a bug that's stuck to a leaf or flower, their bodies are not designed to digest animal protein.
And what happens if you don't follow this rule? If you feed your iguana food with animal proteins, he won't be able to digest it. While you may think that your pet is getting enough food, it could actually be starving to death. Additionally, the high amounts of protein can cause system failure, leading to a slow and painful death for your pet..
Third and finally, never keep your iguana in a too small cage, thinking that this will control the growth of the lizard. This is because a healthy, well fed iguana will continue to grow no matter what size cage it's kept in. The idea that an iguana will not grow larger than the cage it's in is a myth.
Just how can we tell if a cage is too small? The cage should be at least twice as long as your iguana, and wide enough from front to back to allow it to turn around comfortably. Additionally, the height should be a minimum of one and one-half times the length of your iguana, as these arboreal creatures need space to climb. This is one of the biggest misconceptions with iguanas - people don't realize just how large a habitat they actually need..
Whenever you avoid these three issues, you'll largely eliminate the problems many people have when owning a pet iguana. This goes a long way in solving, removing or avoiding whatever problems you have got about caring for your green iguana.
Find out how you can create a safe iguana habitat by visiting our green iguanas as pets site. Find the information and supplies that you need to care for your iguana at iguanaaspet.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lizzie_Blount
When you know you have to cope with the possible loss of your iguana or sky high bills for veterinary care and medicines, then clearly you'll want to avoid doing things that create illness for your iguana. And so, with that in mind, listed below are the three points you have got to carefully avoid:
First off, never use sand or pebbles as a substrate in your iguana's habitat. The reasoning behind that is iguanas use their tongues to 'test' their environment, and small particulates easily stick to the tongue. Sand, pebbles, wood chips or any other small easily swallowed item like this can and will be eaten by your iguana. This leads to stomach and intestinal blockages that can be deadly, or at the very least costly in terms of veterinary bills.
There's no case where this advice should be ignored. Never use small particulate substrates. Instead, stick with an indoor/outdoor carpeting or tile flooring for you pet's habitat..
Second, never feed your iguana bugs or meat. Why? Iguana's are herbivores and survive in the wild by eating plant material. While they may occasionally ingest a bug that's stuck to a leaf or flower, their bodies are not designed to digest animal protein.
And what happens if you don't follow this rule? If you feed your iguana food with animal proteins, he won't be able to digest it. While you may think that your pet is getting enough food, it could actually be starving to death. Additionally, the high amounts of protein can cause system failure, leading to a slow and painful death for your pet..
Third and finally, never keep your iguana in a too small cage, thinking that this will control the growth of the lizard. This is because a healthy, well fed iguana will continue to grow no matter what size cage it's kept in. The idea that an iguana will not grow larger than the cage it's in is a myth.
Just how can we tell if a cage is too small? The cage should be at least twice as long as your iguana, and wide enough from front to back to allow it to turn around comfortably. Additionally, the height should be a minimum of one and one-half times the length of your iguana, as these arboreal creatures need space to climb. This is one of the biggest misconceptions with iguanas - people don't realize just how large a habitat they actually need..
Whenever you avoid these three issues, you'll largely eliminate the problems many people have when owning a pet iguana. This goes a long way in solving, removing or avoiding whatever problems you have got about caring for your green iguana.
Find out how you can create a safe iguana habitat by visiting our green iguanas as pets site. Find the information and supplies that you need to care for your iguana at iguanaaspet.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lizzie_Blount
What is the Best Tortoise Book?
Are you looking to buy a book on how to care for a tortoise? If so there are a few things you should be aware of. Not all books are worthy of you spending your hard earned cash on. Here are a few tips on what to look for when searching the shops or online. After all if you want an in-depth reference which you can return to year after year it should have some authority. Here I have outlined just a few important points to look for when buying your guide.
My Top 5 Tips
1. Does the author have a sound knowledge base and is able to convey this to the reader?
2. Is the author available for advice ie. through an email address or is it a general reference book with no specific author?
3. Do you like the style of the book, does it have detailed information on health, environment, feeding, heating, lighting etc
4. Does the book have any specific detailed information and guidance on what to look for when buying a tortoise or even where you should go to buy one. Some species are endangered and you are not legally allowed to buy them.
5. Is the advice and information contained within the book easy to follow and practical in nature so you can put it into practice? Or is it aimed at a more academic audience?
Although this information may appear 'common sense' you could find if you are new to keeping and caring for a tortoise you will drown in information overload! It is important to remember that if you plan to buy a tortoise you should be aware that your new pet may outlive you! It is a huge commitment to take on and this should always be at the forefront of your mind. Taking a tortoise into your home requires so much more than a little rabbit hutch and a few lettuce leaves. At the very least you should know how large the enclosure should be for optimum health and well-being. You should know what to use for the substrate in the enclosure and also what diet your chosen species of tortoise requires.
Different types of chelonian can require quite different environments to live in in order to thrive and stay healthy. If you decide on a less popular species you will possible have to provide a larger enclosure for example. One of the larger types of tortoise will need a very large home which could be the size of an entire room in your house!When you are looking for information online about your chosen pet you will come across a huge amount of information, however not all of it is authoritative or even correct!
There are so many elements to consider before you even buy your tortoise. Therefore you should choose your guide to keeping them very carefully. Once you have done some homework and due diligence you will be able to narrow your search down to just a few possible guides. Once you are at this point it is just a matter of choosing the one that 'jumps' out at you. Whichever you choose good luck with caring for your new friend for probably the rest of your life!v
Ellie Bear is a tortoise enthusiast and has been keeping tortoises for many years. If you are interested to find out more about these amazing creatures go to TortoiseTips
For the best authoritative guide on caring for your tortoise go to http://tortoisetips.com/tips/ where you will find expert information and help.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellie_Bear
My Top 5 Tips
1. Does the author have a sound knowledge base and is able to convey this to the reader?
2. Is the author available for advice ie. through an email address or is it a general reference book with no specific author?
3. Do you like the style of the book, does it have detailed information on health, environment, feeding, heating, lighting etc
4. Does the book have any specific detailed information and guidance on what to look for when buying a tortoise or even where you should go to buy one. Some species are endangered and you are not legally allowed to buy them.
5. Is the advice and information contained within the book easy to follow and practical in nature so you can put it into practice? Or is it aimed at a more academic audience?
Although this information may appear 'common sense' you could find if you are new to keeping and caring for a tortoise you will drown in information overload! It is important to remember that if you plan to buy a tortoise you should be aware that your new pet may outlive you! It is a huge commitment to take on and this should always be at the forefront of your mind. Taking a tortoise into your home requires so much more than a little rabbit hutch and a few lettuce leaves. At the very least you should know how large the enclosure should be for optimum health and well-being. You should know what to use for the substrate in the enclosure and also what diet your chosen species of tortoise requires.
Different types of chelonian can require quite different environments to live in in order to thrive and stay healthy. If you decide on a less popular species you will possible have to provide a larger enclosure for example. One of the larger types of tortoise will need a very large home which could be the size of an entire room in your house!When you are looking for information online about your chosen pet you will come across a huge amount of information, however not all of it is authoritative or even correct!
There are so many elements to consider before you even buy your tortoise. Therefore you should choose your guide to keeping them very carefully. Once you have done some homework and due diligence you will be able to narrow your search down to just a few possible guides. Once you are at this point it is just a matter of choosing the one that 'jumps' out at you. Whichever you choose good luck with caring for your new friend for probably the rest of your life!v
Ellie Bear is a tortoise enthusiast and has been keeping tortoises for many years. If you are interested to find out more about these amazing creatures go to TortoiseTips
For the best authoritative guide on caring for your tortoise go to http://tortoisetips.com/tips/ where you will find expert information and help.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellie_Bear
Learn Why Snakes Make Good Pets
There are many people who are terrified by the sight of snakes and would never think about having them as pets. However not all snakes are poisonous and wild and some of them can be exciting as pets.
However before getting a snake as a pet, you should understand that the animal is not like common pets such as cats or dogs that can take care of themselves. Snakes need more attention. If you are not very committed then you shouldn't think about getting a snake as a pet. Snakes normally live for a long time, usually 20 years or more and you should know you are will likely live with your snake pet for a long time.
Another thing you should know about snakes is that they only eat the raw meat of prey animals such as mice, chicken, etc. Sometimes you will have to feed your snake pets with live prey animals that have not been killed and you should be prepared to devote a whole freezer for feeding your pet snakes.
Snakes are very adventurous and are always looking for an escape route so you should make sure you keep them in a much secured place or they will squeeze through barriers and run away.
Some poisonous snakes are very beautiful and attractive but you should be careful of taking them home as pets as they could be attack you or other individuals and endanger your lives.
Where to find a pet snake can be quite difficult. You could capture live snakes from their natural habitats but you should know that these snakes normally have a lot of parasites and diseases. They may find it difficult to live in restricted environments. They are also very wild and difficult to tame.
Buying an already-captured and tamed snake from breeders is the best idea when looking for pet snakes. These snakes are already used to living in restricted environments and are usually tame. However you should get them examined for any parasites or infections before buying them. You should also let the breeders demonstrate how the snake is fed so you won't have any problems with feeding your pet when you take it home.
If you are getting snake pets for the first time then I would recommend you to get any of corn snakes, King snakes, Milk snakes or Ball pythons. One disadvantage of Ball pythons is their feeding problems and you should be properly taught how to feed it before taking it home.
You should try to avoid poisonous snakes such as Boa constrictors, Burmese Pythons, Tree Boas, Water snakes, Green snakes, etc. if you are a new to snake keeping.
No matter how experienced you are with keeping snake pets, you should never take Anacondas and Reticulated pythons as pets as they are very dangerous and can easily get you or other people killed.
If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you need to go to Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_A_Levy
However before getting a snake as a pet, you should understand that the animal is not like common pets such as cats or dogs that can take care of themselves. Snakes need more attention. If you are not very committed then you shouldn't think about getting a snake as a pet. Snakes normally live for a long time, usually 20 years or more and you should know you are will likely live with your snake pet for a long time.
Another thing you should know about snakes is that they only eat the raw meat of prey animals such as mice, chicken, etc. Sometimes you will have to feed your snake pets with live prey animals that have not been killed and you should be prepared to devote a whole freezer for feeding your pet snakes.
Snakes are very adventurous and are always looking for an escape route so you should make sure you keep them in a much secured place or they will squeeze through barriers and run away.
Some poisonous snakes are very beautiful and attractive but you should be careful of taking them home as pets as they could be attack you or other individuals and endanger your lives.
Where to find a pet snake can be quite difficult. You could capture live snakes from their natural habitats but you should know that these snakes normally have a lot of parasites and diseases. They may find it difficult to live in restricted environments. They are also very wild and difficult to tame.
Buying an already-captured and tamed snake from breeders is the best idea when looking for pet snakes. These snakes are already used to living in restricted environments and are usually tame. However you should get them examined for any parasites or infections before buying them. You should also let the breeders demonstrate how the snake is fed so you won't have any problems with feeding your pet when you take it home.
If you are getting snake pets for the first time then I would recommend you to get any of corn snakes, King snakes, Milk snakes or Ball pythons. One disadvantage of Ball pythons is their feeding problems and you should be properly taught how to feed it before taking it home.
You should try to avoid poisonous snakes such as Boa constrictors, Burmese Pythons, Tree Boas, Water snakes, Green snakes, etc. if you are a new to snake keeping.
No matter how experienced you are with keeping snake pets, you should never take Anacondas and Reticulated pythons as pets as they are very dangerous and can easily get you or other people killed.
If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you need to go to Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_A_Levy
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Green Iguana As a Pet - The Pros & Cons
Find Out Why the Green Iguana Makes a Great Pet
Lizards are becoming very popular exotic pets, with the most common of these lizards being the iguana. There are many different types of iguanas, with the Green Iguana being the most popular. One thing that attracts buyers of Green Iguanas, is that pet stores sell them quite cheaply. However, they might not be as easy to care for as you might think.
The Green Iguana is found in Central America, South America and Mexico. It generally lives in and around trees and plants, and is more active throughout the day time. When getting a Green Iguana it is important to know that it can grow to around 5-6 feet in length and can weigh up to 15 pounds - as you will need to take this into consideration when choosing the iguanas housing. Also, iguanas are solitary animals, and should be kept separate as they could attack each other. When Green Iguanas are fully grown, they can become aggressive towards you at certain times of the year, so be careful of this.
Choosing your housing for your Green Iguana can be difficult as they need a very large space to live, especially when they are adults. When they are young and growing, they will need at least a 20 gallon glass tank. As they get older and grow bigger you will need to find somewhere bigger. There is a myth that iguanas will only grow as big as their surroundings. This isn't true and they will keep growing no matter what their housing size is.
Iguanas must have UV light in their cage in order to survive, as this will help keep their skin healthy. The UV light should be kept on around 12 hours per day. Since they are from hot countries, the iguana's home should also be at the right temperature. Having the correct temperature helps the Green Iguana with digestion so it will grow and will keep its immune system healthy. Make sure the tank doesn't get too hot to where it might burn the iguana. Also, the iguana needs humidity, therefore don't let the heat dry the tank out.
The Green Iguana has a strict diet and should only be fed certain foods. They are herbivore animals in the wild, therefore they live off of plants and leaves. You should feed your pet iguana a mixture of vegetables and fruit which has been chopped up into small pieces, as well as dark greens such as dandelions. Unlike what some people may think, you do not feed the Iguana insects such as crickets or other food such as mice, as this can damage them and cause disease.
Green Iguanas can be a very interesting exotic pet to own, as long as you can provide it with all of the necessary needs. This includes making sure it has the right housing needs, and the right dietary needs. Failure to do this could lead to expensive vet bills, so take this into account when buying your Green Iguana.
If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you need to go to Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_A_Levy
Lizards are becoming very popular exotic pets, with the most common of these lizards being the iguana. There are many different types of iguanas, with the Green Iguana being the most popular. One thing that attracts buyers of Green Iguanas, is that pet stores sell them quite cheaply. However, they might not be as easy to care for as you might think.
The Green Iguana is found in Central America, South America and Mexico. It generally lives in and around trees and plants, and is more active throughout the day time. When getting a Green Iguana it is important to know that it can grow to around 5-6 feet in length and can weigh up to 15 pounds - as you will need to take this into consideration when choosing the iguanas housing. Also, iguanas are solitary animals, and should be kept separate as they could attack each other. When Green Iguanas are fully grown, they can become aggressive towards you at certain times of the year, so be careful of this.
Choosing your housing for your Green Iguana can be difficult as they need a very large space to live, especially when they are adults. When they are young and growing, they will need at least a 20 gallon glass tank. As they get older and grow bigger you will need to find somewhere bigger. There is a myth that iguanas will only grow as big as their surroundings. This isn't true and they will keep growing no matter what their housing size is.
Iguanas must have UV light in their cage in order to survive, as this will help keep their skin healthy. The UV light should be kept on around 12 hours per day. Since they are from hot countries, the iguana's home should also be at the right temperature. Having the correct temperature helps the Green Iguana with digestion so it will grow and will keep its immune system healthy. Make sure the tank doesn't get too hot to where it might burn the iguana. Also, the iguana needs humidity, therefore don't let the heat dry the tank out.
The Green Iguana has a strict diet and should only be fed certain foods. They are herbivore animals in the wild, therefore they live off of plants and leaves. You should feed your pet iguana a mixture of vegetables and fruit which has been chopped up into small pieces, as well as dark greens such as dandelions. Unlike what some people may think, you do not feed the Iguana insects such as crickets or other food such as mice, as this can damage them and cause disease.
Green Iguanas can be a very interesting exotic pet to own, as long as you can provide it with all of the necessary needs. This includes making sure it has the right housing needs, and the right dietary needs. Failure to do this could lead to expensive vet bills, so take this into account when buying your Green Iguana.
If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you need to go to Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.
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