Landscaping for the outdoor cage of my new friend

Question
QUESTION: Sara, I'm having an issue trying to decide the best flooring for my outdoor cage. This cage is 6x8x6, the only part left to finish is the flooring. I'm trying to keep her habitat is natural as possible, right now it is a muddy dirty floor which I'm not going to put her in until I've landscaped her cage and laid sometype of flooring - easy clean up preferably. What are your thoughts, suggestions, comments?

ANSWER: Kim,

Well, honestly, anything is an option. I was immediately drawn to the idea of astroturf from what you said. It is essentially like fake grass. It could be easy to clean, you could make 2 pieces, and when you pull one out of the cage to wash it, you could lay the other down and repeat the cycle over time. I think that is a good option. Another thing you could consider is some showerboard...like the kind that looks like tile. It could be wiped up with some cleaning solution and paper towel. I suggest staying away from woodchips or sand (basically anything with particles) because the iguana does a lot of tongue flicking to activate the sense of smell and they could ingest particles.

I also think it's important to lay a flooring because iguanas can and will dig and if there is nothing laid down, they may eventually dig their way out from under the side of the cage and escape.

Please follow up with any other questions/concerns.

Thank you and good luck!

Sara J Gwerder
President
Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary
Shreveport, LA

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Any definite NO NOs for plants in her cage? I have an umbrella tree that I would like to put in there, some ficus - those will go on the out side, and maybe some mexican heather here and there along with some water canas. i know she will eat the vegetation and I'm fine with that, as long as she is happy and safe.

Answer
Kim,

Here is the list of recommended plants via anapsid.org - a very reputable reptile information source. I would list the harmful plants but they are too numerous. I suggest just sticking to these to be safe. I know my iguanas LOVE hibiscus. I put a plant in with them and it is devoured in a day. Anyhow, I'll post the link to the harmful plant page and past the edible plants below:

Edible Plant List

ASTILBE
BABY'S TEARS
CHINESE LANTERN
CARNaTIONS
DAHLIA
DANDELION
DAY LILIES
DRACAENA spp. cornplant
FICUS
GERANIUM
GRAPE
HENS AND CHICKS
HENS AND CHICKENS
IMPATIENS
JOHNNY-JUMP-UP
HIBISCUS** Our Favorite
Hollyhock
MAPLE
MESQUITE
MULBERRY
NASTURTIUM
PANSIES
PEA, GREEN BEAN
PETUNIA
PHLOX
PINKS
POTHOS
ROSE PETALS
SPIDER PLANT
SPLIT-LEAF PHILODENDRON
SQUASH / ZUCCHINI
VIOLETS
WANDERING JEW
YUCCA

Harmful Plant Website Links

Harmful Plants Beginning with Letters A-G
http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants-ag.html

Harmful Plants Beginning with Letters H-N
http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants-hn.html

Harmful Plants Beginning with Letters O-Z
http://www.anapsid.org/resources/plants-oz.html

Compare your plants against this list before putting them in the cage.

Thanks,

Sara