Several controversies have arisen due to the propagation of iguanas in captivity. The demand for iguanas is said to be thereby reduced by this activity. However, they are nevertheless being imported from Central American and South America which house several iguana farms. Iguana nests should be provided to the iguanas by their owners. This factor facilitates the breeding of the iguanas. However, many pet owners have discovered the smart side of this issue. The iguana nests are a money making venture for the pet owners. Baby iguanas are sold while the adults keep reproducing. These iguanas are today sold at very low prices thereby creating the notion that iguanas as pets are disposable.
Having Iguana nests and their subsequent breeding comes with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, breeding iguanas is an enjoyable experience. The mother iguana searches for a suitable place onto which it will lay its eggs. This requires ingenuity from it since such locations are not as readily available and adequate as those it would find in the wild. It then waits for them to hatch. The mother iguana will settle its young ones within the artificial or natural nests. A larger amount of space is required to keep them as the iguana keeps multiplying. This constitutes a disadvantage to breeding by pet owners. Controlling and maneuvering them is difficult if there are a large number. Only the ones that receive adequate nutrition and care are healthy and survive. The others are malnourished and they become unhealthy and prone to disease.
Preparation of a Nest for the Iguana
To ensure the seamless process of breeding, iguanas of different sex should be placed together in a nest. This should be particularly ensured during the season for breeding. Grouping them according to size and ratio should be carried out. Each male should have one or more females in a nest. Female iguanas are typically larger than male ones so as to prevent the death of the male while mating.
Different materials can be used for constructing the iguana nests. For instance, potting soil can be used. It allows for the burying of the mothers eggs. Alternatively, a mix of potting soil and play sand, or even pure play sand makes it much simpler to dig and bury eggs. This reduces the mothers work and facilitates the construction of a good hole. The nest must also be safe for the iguanas to dwell in. They should not be prone to suffer from cuts, scratches, abrasions or other wounds.
The nest should be capable of holding up to two hundred pounds of soil. This soil will be placed in the nest. A tray planter can be placed in the nest however with one side cut off. This will create a tunnel in which the iguana can play in. A plastic ash tray or a wooden box offers a cheaper alternative. The reptiles should however not be prone to injury due to this structures and their safety is very important.
The laying of the eggs should be monitored. Occasionally, some eggs are not laid by the mother. This usually results in problems for the female iguana. The female iguanas should not be interrupted when protecting their nests. This is merely the mother's instinct.
Additionally, iguana nests should be kept clean to avoid the breeding of harmful organisms. These can infect the iguana with disease and cause them to fall ill. Death may be an eventual result of this.
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