Being completely ready before you bring home your iguana is essential, and a lot goes into creating the proper iguana home. To make things as stress-free as possible for you and the iguana make sure the new enclosure and furnishings are set up early. Here's a list of necessary equipment and supplies (which is the same no matter how old the iguana is):
The enclosure
1 55–100-gallon enclosure
1 reptile under-tank heat pad or human heating pad
1–2 daytime overhead heat sources (white basking lights, a basking light and ceramic heating element [CHE], or an incandescent household light bulb)
1–2 nighttime overhead heat sources (nocturnal heat light and/or CHE)
1 light fixture for each overhead heat source (porcelain sockets are required for CHEs)
1 UVB-producing fluorescent tube long enough to stretch across the width of the enclosure
1 fluorescent light fixture
2–5 appliance timers to automate the heat and fluorescent lights
1–2 table lamp dimmer switches (or rheostats) or a hard-wired thermostat to regulate the heat source output
1–2 power strips (6–8 outlets each)
3 thermometers to be placed in the enclosure to monitor temperatures
2–3 units of suitable substrate, including extras to rotate in and out as they become soiled
1 hide box (a box your iguana can hide in)
1 branch or shelf for basking
Food, vitamins, and supplements
Fresh supply of iguana-friendly food
Multivitamin
Calcium supplement
First-aid supplies
1 container of blood-stop powder or a box of cornstarch
1 bottle of Betadine (povidone-iodine)
1 tube of triple antibiotic ointment
1 reptile veterinarian
Other stuff
1 water bowl
1 food plate
1–2 food storage containers for salads and greens
1 set of cleaning and disinfecting supplies (sponges, paper towels, gloves, cleaner, disinfectant, etc.)
1 pair of claw trimmers
1 room humidifier
1 cloth sack, cardboard box, or animal carrier to transport your iguana home and to the vet
It's quite a list, huh? And this is just the minimum start-up equipment and supplies you need. Now you understand why getting all the supplies and equipment home and assembled before you bring the iguana home is so important.
