Iguana
Basic Statistics:
- Lifespan 10-20 years.
- Age at puberty 2-3 years.
- Incubation 90 days.
- Adult weight 1.2-4 kg.
- Group vs. singly: juveniles and mating pairs kept together. Otherwise kept singly
General Facts
- Dietary Requirements
– Mainly leafy greens (approx 85%) e.g.. dandelion, kale, figs.
– Other vegetables ( approx 10%) e.g.. turnip, beet, radishes, carrots, parsnips.
– Fruit ( approx 5%) e.g. grapes, melons, apples, pears.
– Overall aim is a Ca:P ratio of 2:1.
– Once daily feeding is adequate
– Avoid excessive protein- no cheese, meat, insects, dog or cat food. - Environmental Requirements
– Vivarium- minimum 20-30 gallons with tightly fitting lid. Climbing branches and lots of different levels.
– Heat source- usually infrared lamp 85-103 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Light Source- full spectrum UV lights 1 2hours daily.
– Humidity- humidifier recommended, otherwise regular misting. 60-80% recommended.
– Water bowl- sturdy and large enough to soak in
– Bedding- newspaper/ recycled paper.
Preventative Medicine
- Veterinary check soon after bringing home. Annual Veterinary checks- yearly faecal samples and blood work.
Common Ailments
- Tail loss- usually caused by being grabbed by the tail.
- Thermal burns.
- Bacterial pneumonia.
- Poor shedding- dysecdysis due to poor humidity levels.
- Metabolic bone disease (nutritional osteodystrophy) due to inadequate Ca:P ratio in diet.
- Egg binding in females. Coccidiosis, prolapse.
Bearded Dragon
Basic Statistics:
- Lifespan 9-15 years.
- Age at puberty 8-18 months.
- Incubation 60-70 days.
- Adult weight 250-300g.
- Singly vs. groups: mating pairs kept together, otherwise kept singly
General Facts
- Dietary Requirements
– Omnivorous
– Crickets, mealworms and superworms- no bigger than ½ the space between bearded dragon’s eyes. Feed these 3-4 times weekly. These should be gut loaded or dusted with vitamin and mineral powders with a high Ca:P ratio.
– Vegetables- A variety of vegetables should be fed daily eg red and green lettuce, dandelion, turnip and cabbage.
– Sweet vegetables ( eg. carrot and squash) and fruit in small amounts.
– Provide a sturdy water dish that can be used to soak in. - Environmental Requirements
– Vivarium 10-50 gallons depending on age/size with secure lid. It should be longer than high.
– Basking logs and rocks.
– Heat source- Usually infrared lamp- well protected with mesh etc.85-100 degrees Fahrenheit- main source at one end of the vivarium.
– Light Source-Full spectrum UV lights left on 12 hours daily.
– Humidity- mist every second day and wet down vegetables before feeding. 40% humidity essential.
– Substrate- recycled paper or newspaper.
Preventative Medicine
- Veterinary check soon after bringing home. Annual Veterinary checks to include faecal samples and blood tests.
Common Ailments
- Tail loss- usually caused by being grabbed by the tail.
- Thermal burns.
- Bacterial pneumonia.
- Poor shedding- dysecdysis due to poor humidity levels.
- Metabolic bone disease (nutritional osteodystrophy) due to inadequate Ca:P ratio in diet.
- Egg binding in females. Coccidiosis, prolapse.
- Parasitism common- regular worming advised.
Leopard Gecko
Basic Statistics:
- Average Lifespan 7-9 years.
- Age at puberty 10-15 months.
- Incubation 30-90 days.
- Adult weight 40-80g.
- Singly vs. groups: usually kept singly, unless juvenile or breeding pairs
General Facts
- Dietary Requirements
– Waxworms or superworms either gut loaded or dusted with appropriate vitamin/ mineral supplement with high Ca:P ratio. 2 insects for every inch of the gecko’s length 3-4 times weekly is usually appropriate. – A sturdy shallow water dish should be provided. - Environmental Requirements
– 10-20 gallon vivarium including hardwood logs. Hidebox with moist moss and shedding.
– Heat source- Infra red lamp well protected at one end of vivarium (86-90 degrees Fahrenheit).
– Light source- Full spectrum UV lamp left on approximately 12 hours daily. Gekos are nocturnal.
– Humidity- usually just require water in shallow dish as don’t require very high humidity, as long as damp moss provided.
– Substrate- newspaper/ recycled paper
Preventative Medicine
- Veterinary check soon after purchase, yearly thereafter.
Common Ailments
- Tail loss- usually caused by being grabbed by the tail.
- Thermal burns.
- Bacterial pneumonia.
- Poor shedding- dysecdysis due to poor humidity levels.
- Metabolic bone disease (nutritional osteodystrophy) due to inadequate Ca:P ratio in diet.
- Egg binding in females. Coccidiosis, prolapse.
Chameleon
Basic Statistics:
- Average Lifespan 2-5 years
- Age at puberty 6-7 months
- Incubation 5-14 months
- Adult weight 300-500 g
- Singly vs. Multiple: solitary
General Facts
- Dietary Requirements
– Crickets, mealworms and superworms, either gut loaded or dusted using supplements with a high Ca:P ratio.
– Occasionally nutritious leafy greens, vegetables and fruit.
– Water should be provided, either via a drip system, regular mistingor manually, as chameleons would usually sip water from leaves in the wild. - Environmental Requirements
– Vivariums suitable for juveniles but larger, screened enclosures better for adults. These need to be well ventilated.
– Lots of climbing branches and safe non-toxic plants eg. Hibiscus & certain fruit species.
– Heat source- infra red basking lamp at one end of enclosure (80-95 degrees). This should be out of reach and well protected.
– Light source- full spectrum UV lamp for 10-12 hours daily.
– Humidity- approximately 20-40%. Good ventilation is more important.
– Substrate: newspaper / recycled paper
Preventative Medicine
- Veterinary check up soon after bringing home, yearly thereafter.
Common Ailments
- Tail loss- usually caused by being grabbed by the tail.
- Thermal burns.
- Bacterial pneumonia.
- Poor shedding- dysecdysis due to poor humidity levels.
- Metabolic bone disease (nutritional osteodystrophy) due to inadequate Ca:P ratio in diet.
- Egg binding in females. Coccidiosis, prolapse.
- Dehydration and tongue injuries.