Now the increasing popularity is gained by contents in house conditions of any given exotic animals: turtles, dwarfish monkeys, snakes and, of course, the iguanas called by tame dragons. It is remarkable that in all this variety of tropical living creatures the domestic iguanas are in special demand among people.
Iguana – the real tame dragon!
In the nature the iguana inhabits tropics of Central and South America. This reptile easily moves on trees on which they just adore being near river creeks. The iguana can reach in length of 2 meters, and weigh up to 5 kg. The powerful tail and sharp claws give it similarity to a dragon. For the peaceful character and the friendly attitude towards the person the iguana was christened a tame dragon.
The tame dragon, of course, has no wings and does not breathe fire, but it does not prevent it to be the surprising and unique favourite in many houses. The most important decoration of a domestic lizard is his back the crest which lasts from the nape that the middle of a tail. On a throat the tame dragon has a leather bag which depending on a situation can be inflated. Usually it happens to the purpose of intimidation of the opponent.
Maintenance and care for an iguana
Can live up to 15 years in house conditions of an iguana. The approximate age of a reptile can be determined on its color: at young individuals skin has a light green shade, and at their senior companions – dark. Unfortunately, not absolutely right care for domestic iguanas, their wrong feeding and also violation of temperature condition of their contents do not allow these creations to live also a half of the life. For this reason before getting a tame dragon in the house, it is necessary to get acquainted with conditions and requirements to his contents carefully. It is better to buy an animal in nurseries or in specialized clubs of fans of reptiles. You should not stop the choice on too young individual as at early age these animals are most vulnerable to mistakes from inexperienced holders. But also the adult individual should not be taken too! Suitable age for purchase of an iguana – about 1-2 years. If the iguana is bought in pet-shop, then it is necessary to choose an animal correctly: the healthy lizard behaves quietly, her skin – clean (without hems, without scratches and scars), eyes – without allocations. The healthy iguana possesses a thick and powerful tail, is not afraid of people. Keeping of a tame dragon is impossible without existence in the house of a terrarium. Naturally, it is necessary to get it in advance - before purchase of an animal. The terrarium up to 200 l will become the most comfortable dwelling for a young iguana. But in a year the terrarium should be replaced with more spacious – up to 500 l. The terrarium will not suit an adult domestic lizard any more as the iguana will need the wooden spacious open-air cage with a glass front wall. It is possible to manage also completely glass open-air cage. The iguana is a reptile, i.e. a cold blooded animal. For this reason its contents is impossible without special ultra-violet lamps and glow lamps. For day and night heating reflector lamps of incandescence of the corresponding power are used. The ultra-violet lamp is used for health: without UV rays the reptile will fully not be able to acquire vitamin D and calcium that considerably will truncate her life: bones will become fragile, rickets will develop. You should not forget also about the special place for warming up of an animal: the domestic iguana in a terrarium has to have a snag or big stones placed under a reflector lamp of incandescence. Temperature at which the tame dragon gets warm should not be less than 35 wasps. It is necessary to remember that reptiles need also the cool place. The high humidity is one of conditions of their healthy lifestyle. To create sufficient humidity, it is recommended to sprinkle twice a day a terrarium water with use of special moistening devices. As these creations live in the wild nature on trees, in their terrariums it is necessary to place several snags. Tame dragons like to bathe therefore they live in the nature near the rivers. It is necessary to consider this condition and to place near a domestic iguana capacity for bathing.