The heating in your iguana's habitat is quite important to the well being of your iguana. There are many considerations to think about here, though. The good news is that this chapter will tell you all you need to know about the heat sources and needs of your iguana.



The first consideration that you have is just why the iguana needs heat and what that level is. We've already mentioned that providing heat to your iguana is required to maintain its health.

Within your habitat, you'll need to provide a location that can provide basking heat to your iguana. Generally, this area should be able to get to the middle 90's in temperature. (All temperatures in this e-book are listed in Fahrenheit.) The rest of the air within the habitat should be maintained no less than 75 degrees, but better if it is closer to 80. The final need is to offer a range of temperatures within the habitat to allow him to move around as he feels comfortable.

Now, to accomplish this, there are several things you should and shouldn't do.

First, purchase several attachment thermometers. Place these in various area of the habitat so that they can be easily read by you from outside the enclosure.

Next, don't bother with over priced basking light bulbs that are commonly sold to you at the local pet shops. This is simply unnecessary and a waste of your money. Instead, use incandescent light bulbs. Yes, the ordinary, every day kind!

These bulbs work great because they can accomplish two of your important considerations. That of course is heat and light. They are also quite inexpensive!

To determine the right wattage for those light bulbs, you'll have to do a bit of searching. The wattage is your control measure for your habitat. But, please don't guess at the temperature. Allow the well placed thermometers give you a good reading of what the actual temperature in that area is.

You can adjust the amount of heat in an area with a lower wattage of light bulb. You will have to play around with this for a few days before you bring your iguana home until you get the right conditions set up. The wattage will also depend on the size and ventilation of your habitat, too.

One trick for those more difficult areas is to use a dimmer switch. Simply install these on the light bulbs and use them to make changes to your habitat when the temperature gets too hot or too cold. It's a great, easy way to monitor the temperatures, too.