Another Great Find Today.

[Strix]

Yeah. I've been doing a lot of reading into lighting and diet. Been messing around positioning log, lights, etc so that it is the right temp where his basking log is.

I picked up the calcium spray and made sure that it does not have D3 in it since it is supposed to get all the D3 it needs from a proper diet. Right now I'm feeding it a mix of orange squash, snap peas, and collard greens and picked up a book that shows all toxic and harmful plants and parts of plants to the iguanas health.

I agree that it does look a bit malnourished right now, I wouldn't expect it not to considering I'm not sure how long it was outside and neglected.

Maybe an experienced iguana owner can help me with a UVB question. Does the UVB need to be directly over the basking area (where I have it now) or should it be a little bit away from the basking area?

I read the lighting (basking / uvb) has to be at most a foot away from the iguana to get all the benefits from it.

 

[kitty_b]

Maybe an experienced iguana owner can help me with a UVB question. Does the UVB need to be directly over the basking area (where I have it now) or should it be a little bit away from the basking area?

I read the lighting (basking / uvb) has to be at most a foot away from the iguana to get all the benefits from it.

depending on the wattage of your basking lamp, you may be able to substitute the heat lamp for the UVB bulb, which will put off about the same amount of heat. of course, this means you shut it off at night. i have my blue tongue skink under a 100 watt UVB bulb at about 14-16" from the basking spot and through a screen. some of the cheaper (or store-available brands) are ineffective at distances over 12", but the one i got is actually supposed to be kept at a minimum of 12" from the basking spot (though it obviously has a maximum height as well).

obviously, you can use a basking lamp and a UVB bulb. you just have to make sure you still can maintain the proper temps and temp gradient.

ps- he/she is adorable!

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

God luck with it. I had one once before I knew how big they got. At 5 foot I ran out of room, and traded her back to the pet store. At that time we had a real pet store in the area. As a previous poster stated lettuce has no nutirent value. Go with spinach. You can try a few bugs, but at this age they are starting to be more vegetarians than insectivores.

Iguana iguana as an insectivore? I kow they accept the occasianal insect but calling them insectivores is ridiculous. Get off my internet!

 

[JohnEDove]

I go with Mega Ray Mercury Vapour Lamps set about 24 inches above the basking site for all my Iguana Rescues. This provides a temp of about 85F on the limb itself and in the low to mid 90s at the height of an adult Iguanas back.
I use no other lighting source in their enclosures either.
You can read some scientific studies on reptile UVB lighting at the following link if you are interested.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

 

[hairmetalspider]

God luck with it. I had one once before I knew how big they got. At 5 foot I ran out of room, and traded her back to the pet store. At that time we had a real pet store in the area. As a previous poster stated lettuce has no nutirent value. Go with spinach. You can try a few bugs, but at this age they are starting to be more vegetarians than insectivores.

You never, ever want to feed an iguana a staple diet of Spinach. It should, if ever, be used on VERY RARE occasions as a treat. Spinach is high in oxalates and goitrogens.

As previously said, lettuces, pretty much of all variety
(iceberg, romaine, etc.) are going to be a waste, and dark leafy greens and various other veggies are going to be your healthiest and safest route. (Mustard and collard greens, squash, okra, parsnips, etc.)
Mango and papaya are a good fruit staple as well.

The Green Iguana society is an awesome info resource if you have a chance (and you should) to check it out.