You’ve designed an amazing habitat, but there is still a few things you’ll need to take into consideration beyond just the construction and the environmental issues.

What will you put into your habitat?  You should pay some attention to the details of this area of your habitat. We well provided for iguana that has all he needs in a clean and organized habitat is a long living, healthy and happy pet. Now, here are several things that you’ll build or add to your habitat.

Flooring Covering

Now, when it comes to your habitat’s flooring, take this consideration closely. You want to have something that is easy to replace or at least to clean. But, you don’t want to have anything that your iguana can pick up with his tongue or even worse get wrapped around his toes.

You’ll find many materials available in the pet stores but don’t waste your time on them. Instead consider other easier to afford materials. Here are some options you have.

Floors of:

• Newspaper, ensure that it does not have any type of toxic ink on it.
  
  
• Paper towels work just fine, too.
  
  
• Plain papers without any type of toxins in them.
  
  
• Indoor/outdoor carpeting.

The carpeting is a great choice but if you purchase it, make sure it has nothing that can get caught on your iguana’s toes. You’ll want to wrap it around the edges and tape them underneath to keep them from being torn up or getting caught on his tongue.

In addition, whatever you use, keep extra on hand so that you can easily clean up any messes that happen to be made by your iguana.

There are several things you don’t want to use in this environment. For example, anything that is made of particles like wood chips or even sand. Don’t use these as they’ll cause numerous problems for your iguana when he uses his tongue flick to get a taste of what’s happening around him.

One probably that you may run into with any of the listed options for floor coverings is that water can pass through these and get onto the wood below. If the wood gets too wet or stays wet for a long period of time, mold growth or warping can happen.

The best way to avoid this is to purchase a piece of vinyl sheeting to place over the bottom of the wood and then you can place whatever materials you’ve selected over the top. This will help to keep the underneath completely easy to maintain. Just a wipe and its clean. Make sure that it is properly secured to the bottom, with nothing that can injure your iguana.

Climbing Fun!

Any habitat is not complete without some excellent climbing and basking areas for your iguana. He will want to move around and have something to do.

As for what you should provide or how you should make these structures; that’s up to you. You’ll want them to be wide enough to hold your large, fully grown iguana. Instead of using branches, though, purchase planks of wood and then cover them completely with the same materials you’ve covered your flooring with. Some of the best material to do this with is indoor/outdoor carpeting.

You’ll want to cover the entire board and the climbing structures with this carpeting. This will give them their necessary grip to grab onto their structure to move around.

You’ll want to completely wrap the board with the carpeting and then secure it. Don’t leave anything to be exposed as this can cause tears and injury to your iguana. Again, just like the flooring, cover the wood with vinyl sheets that can be wiped down. Then, wrap in the carpeting. You’ll have to remove the carpeting and clean regularly so make sure it’s easy to do this.

Food Locations

Within your habitat, you’ll need to put in your food and water bowls. They must be sturdy otherwise your pet will knock them over. In addition, don’t allow them to be too tall for your guy to reach in and take a drink.

Water Bin

In addition to providing a bowl for food and water, you’ll want to include a container that your iguana can get into and out of easily so that he or she can have a nice soak. Fill it just slightly with water as a small amount of water can cause your iguana to drown. In addition, make sure that as he is climbing in and out, the container is not going to tip on him.

You’ll have to monitor his use of this soaking tub for a while, especially when he is younger as they often struggle with water and can drown. In addition, they love to use it for a bathroom!  So, make sure you monitor and clean this tub often. Don’t skip it though as they need it to help them to shed their skin.

Hiding Spots

Another area to provide for your iguana within their habitat is that of a hiding place. They really like to get away and hide from view for a bit during each day. You can purchase or build your own hiding structures, which is especially important for younger iguanas.

As they get older, though, your iguana won’t need an entire box to hide in. Instead, he’s more interested in having a location that may be just a bit out of the way, such as an area that may have an obstructed view by design of the climbing structures.

In the next chapter, learn about your day to day needs of caring for your iguana.

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