A green iguana needs warmth to simulate its natural environment (a tropical rainforest), so it requires 85 to 95 degree fahrenheit temperatures. Without this warmth an iguana cannot breathe properly, or digest food correctly. Iguanas need belly warmth to digest food corectly. Without it, the food will rot in the lizard's gut, causing serious health problems. The basking spot should be around 95 degrees, while the rest of the environment should be 75-85 degrees fahrenheit . DO NOT USE A HEAT ROCK IN AN IGUANA'S ENVIRONMENT! Heat rocks produce too much heat in a concentrated area and can burn an iguana.

An iguana also needs U.V.B. lighting to produce the vitamin D3. This vitamin allows the iguana to digest calcium for a healthy skeletal structure and over-all health. Without vitamin D3 an iguana will become lethargic, having little or no movement in it's limbs, eventually leading to an agonizing death. The best setup to acclomplish both of these needs is to provide a full spectrum U.V fluorescent bulb in a suspended fixture, a basking lamp adjacent to the U.V. light at one end of the terrarium. This will attract the iguana to the warmth of the basking lamp while it receives the vital U.V rays. Leave one end of the terrarium free of excess light to provide a shady spot if the iguana chooses to cool down.

The best way to regulate lamp on and off times is through the use of timers. Iguanas need to have a dark environment at night; the incorporation of timers will allow this. Iguanas need about 12-14 hours of daylight, so be sure to set the "on" time for early in the morning (about 7 o'clock), and the "off" time later at night (around 8).

On warm, sunny days, it is appropriate to take your iguana outside for some natural sunlight. Even though you may have the best U.V. lights available, nothing replaces natural sunlight. Try to get your iguana in the sun as much as possible, it is the best source of U.V. rays.

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