Where to buy Iguanas?
Although iguanas have become one of the most popular pets, they are still very misunderstood. Many people are still caring for their iguanas based on a large number of myths and misconceptions. These so-called facts have been spread through outdated books, various people that are not informed on the latest in iguana husbandry, and even sometimes veterinarians that are not qualified to treat and offer advice on iguana care. Below is a list of many of the most common myths and misconceptions about iguanas...
Iguanas eat lettuce?! This is one of the most common myths. Many people just figure that iguanas are vegetarians and feeding lettuce will do. The fact is that lettuce is okay to feed to an iguana on occasion, but most lettuce lacks in nutritional value. Many iguanas that are fed lettuce as a main part of their diets will only eat lettuce, even after better foods have been added to their diets. Another common myth regarding iguana food and nutrition is that iguanas won't eat something that isn't good for them. Iguanas will eat just about anything, and it should the responsibility of their owners to provide good quality food for them. Lettuce should be avoided, but it is not unhealthy to occasionally provide small amounts of certain types of lettuce to an iguana. Head lettuce should be avoided. Romaine lettuce and other green leaf lettuces are probably the best choices, if any small amounts of lettuce are provided. Basically, if there are better foods to provide instead of nutritionally poor lettuce, you might as well supply better leafy greens such as collards, mustard greens and turnip greens. For more information about lettuce and what should be fed to an iguana, please visit our Food & Feeding section.
Iguanas eat meat, dog and cat food, and insects?! Many iguana care books still say that iguanas can be fed these items. All of these items contain animal protein and can cause severe organ damage and possibly even premature death. There are many so-called authorities in iguana care that still claim that young iguanas eat insects. This myth started many years ago, and has grown to epidemic proportions. While it may be true that wild iguanas occasionally eat animal protein (and this has not been conclusively shown), we do know for sure that iguanas raised on a strictly vegetarian diet not only are large and healthy, but longer-lived than those fed animal protein. So, regardless of what wild iguanas are or aren't doing, there is no good reason to feed meat, and in fact, there are serious reasons not to. The Green Iguana Society recommends that no iguana, even a young one, should ever be fed meat, dog or cat food, insects or any other kind of animal protein.
Iguanas need to eat gravel to help digest its food?! Who really knows where this horrible misconception started, but it is, none-the-less, a total misconception. Gravel and other particulate matter that is ingested can impact in the gut and can be very deadly. Never use gravel or other particulate matter for use as a habitat substrate. For more information about proper habitat substrate, please visit our Habitat, Enclosures & Cages section. Gravel should never be fed, purposely or even accidentally.
Iguanas only grow to the size of their cages?! Many people think that if an iguana is kept in a small cage, it will remain small, but this is untrue. Iguanas, if cared for properly, will usually grow to reach lengths of five to six feet. For more information about proper habitat sizes, visit our Habitat, Enclosures & Cages section.
Hot rocks are a good way to heat an iguana?! Sure, hot rocks will heat an iguana, but the problem is that the iguana will usually sit there and literally bake on a hot rock. Hot rocks are dangerous and not at all recommended in any form. There are many better ways to heat an iguana and its habitat, so we suggest...