This week, as promised, I deliver a column on the care and feeding of iguanas. These reptiles fascinate many people, which is one reason they have become popular pets in recent years. Iguanas are relatively easy to care for, but do require some specific items in order for them to be healthy.

The enclosure in which you keep your iguana should be large enough for it to move around comfortably. It should have no sharp edges or protruding pieces on which it could injure itself. Aquariums are often suitable for housing iguanas.

The cage should also be easy to clean. It is best to line the bottom of the cage with materials like towels, newspaper or Astroturf. Although it sounds unusual, Astroturf is a good choice for cage liner because it can be easily removed and cleaned with soap and water. Whenever you do clean the iguana’s environment, it is important to rinse any soap residue away, since soap can be toxic to your iguana.

Iguanas like to climb, and providing branches in its environment will give it an opportunity to do so. The branch should slope from the bottom to the top of the cage, ending near the heat source you have provided for your pet.

All reptiles need a heat source to regulate their body temperature. It is best to have the source located at one end of the cage so the iguana can move to a warm or cool spot as needed. If thermometers are placed at either ends of the cage, you will be able to monitor the temperature of its environment. The cool end should be between 70-75øF, and the warm end about 90-95øF.

The heat source must be safe. A lamp placed outside the cage with a 100-watt incandescent bulb and reflector hood works well. It is important to cover the top of the iguana’s cage with a screen or mesh to keep the iguana from burning itself. Heat rocks are not recommended since they can burn the iguana.

One of the most common ailments of iguanas is metabolic bone disease. This disease results in the weakening and deformation of the bones. One of the causes of metabolic bone disease is a lack of vitamin D, which the iguana produces when its skin is exposed to UV light. In a natural environment, the UV light is provided by the sun, but for captive iguanas it is necessary to provide an artificial source of UV rays.

To best meet the needs of your iguana, you should combine a black light with a UV light such as a Vita-Lite or True-Lite. The combination of these two bulbs will be an excellent source of light. UV bulbs can be purchased at most pet stores that carry iguana supplies. Like most reptiles, iguanas do best with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day.

Correct feeding of an iguana is necessary to ensure its health. Adult iguanas require a diet that is 90% plant matter and 10% protein. Iguanas under two years of age need slightly more protein in their diets.

The best choices for the plant portion of an iguana diet are green, leafy vegetables. Yellow and orange vegetables are also highly recommended. These types of veggies are full of the necessary vitamins and nutrients an iguana requires. It is recommended that lettuce and celery be avoided; these vegetables are mostly fiber and water, and have very few vitamins to contribute to your pet.

Provide a variety of vegetables in small amounts to your iguana. Don’t let it get attached to just one or two favorite foods.

Protein is also an important part of the iguana diet. Crickets, mealworms, earthworms and hard-boiled eggs are suggested to provide protein. There are also reptile pellets on the pet food market that can be used as a protein source. Remember not to overfeed protein since it is only required as 10-20% of the diet.

Calcium powder can be obtained at your local pet store, and it is recommended that all the iguana’s food be sprinkled with it. Calcium is extremely important to an iguana and can help prevent metabolic bone disease.

Water should always be available to your iguana and should stay clean. The best way to provide water is in a small bowl or crock that cannot be overturned. Since iguanas like to bathe and even eliminate in their water dishes, it is important that you clean the bowl daily.

Iguanas are interesting creatures that can make wonderful pets. They are not difficult to care for, but neglecting even one of their requirements can result in serious health problems for your pet.

Julie Hansen is a senior in zoology/pre vet from Monterey, California.