I need help

Question
QUESTION: I am thirteen, and have wanted an iguana for years, I even red the official green iguana handbook. I do know a lot, but not enough. I have three questions, and of the questions has two answers. I am getting an iguana around six inches, and I have a twenty gallon, is this okay, or should I just invest in a thirty gallon? How many heat sources should I have, and is the heating rock bad? Finally, is the calcium vitamins important or are they a waste of money, and are vines and sticks important? Thanks for the help, and sorry if the question was to long.

ANSWER: Hello Trace, no question is too long. Im happy you want to make sure everything is perfect for him. I do want you to know that Iguanas can get up to 6ft long and grow fast they can reach full length in 4-5 years. A 20 gallon is too small, a thirty is too small but as a temporary until you can get something much larger it will work because he is a little guy. Anything less then 4ftx2ftx2ft is a waste of time and money. Eventually he will need an enclosure 6ft high, double the length of him (a three foot iguana needs a 6ft long enclosure) and 2 feet deep. So start investing in that. He will love the extra space.

You need to have one basking light (and of course UV lighting) and for a small cage that should be fine. As the cage gets larger you will need to spread the heat out all over because one light will not work.
Heating rocks are very bad, they are not good for any reptile and can be extremely dangerous. There have been numerous accounts of stomach and foot burns caused by these. Don't purchase them.

The calcium and vitamin supplements are extremely important for a healthy lizard. Without them the animal can develop many different diseases. Most of which are fatal.

Vines and sticks are important, Iguanas are arboreal (they spend most of their time in trees and other high places) they do not spend a lot of time on the ground and need many items to climb on and hide in. The more leaf like things in the enclosure the more natural it feels and the more secure it will make the Iguana, stress is definately not good. So tons of fake or real plants, branches, logs, caves, rocks, vines, etc.

Here are a couple of links with great information. Research is key!

http://www.greenigsociety.org
That has basic info

For a forum where you can ask questions and share pictures and more with people that own them and always get a quick response
http://www.repticzone.com Scroll down the list of reptiles and find Iguana, there are some very helpful people.

For pictures of enclosures and setups to give you an idea:
(click on the picture for a bigger view)
http://www.lizardcages.fws1.com/cage-pictures.htm


Please do much more research and be sure you know what you are getting into. There is a lot of hard work and commitment into owning such a lizard. I do beleive you would be better off getting a lizard a little more suitable for beginners. Iguanas are definately for experienced herp keepers only. If you want I have a suggestion for a similar lizard that is not as agressive, and doesn't get as big.
Let me know

-Yexalen

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the help, and i knew those heat rocks were evil!
So for now I think I will get a thirty gallon. I do understand what you mean, I am only thirteen and I still act like a child. The thing is my family is a pet family. I have seen so many lizerads. My dad bought two iguanas and they eventually died shortly after he got them. I have done so much reasearch, and I know a lot. But if I really can't get an iguana what would be a good lizerd to have?

Answer
Well another lizard similar to the Iguana that only get 3ft long, look similiar and are much more friendly would be the Chinese Water Dragon.

This link has a few pictures of Water Dragons in all ages
http://reptilianyex.tripod.com/id40.html

They are not exactly beginner lizards either but are much easier to care for then Iguanas. They dont get agressive, tolerate being handled. But they do eat live insects. But they can also be offered some fruits and veggies. They need a minimum enclosure of 4ft tall 4ft wide and 2ft deep.

If you want more information let me know. I specialize in Chinese Water Dragons and own two so just let me know and I would be happy to give you more information.

Good luck,
Yexalen