Well, like any other reptile it will need a viv.

3x2x2 shoud be fine but 4x2x2 is always a good option.

 

yes indeedy i have 2 in a 4X2X2, they do like very deep substrate though about 3inchs of sand (cleaned childrens playpit sand is very good from B&Q and very cheep), i also have lots of toilet roll tubes i have painted with acrylic paint and coated in sand which they love, they are great for placeing in the entrances to hides as they live in burrows in the wild .

if u want to look for caresheets u can look at chuckwalla care sheets as the care is exactly the same only the food they eat is obviously less due to them being smaller.

this is my two .

example vivarium (they have a different set up now but its the same size)

here is a caresheet ive written myself: http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/lizard-care-sheets/399140-chuckwalla-care-sheet.html
i hope this helps

 

As long as you do thorough research (and i mean thorough!) then a desert iguana shouldn't be a problem as a first lizard.

Think you need to buy some books and check up on hundreds of internet care sheets, then come on here and ask specific questions. People will probably be much more help then :2thumb:

 

hi there,

as said, i think youd be best off doing abit of reading first on desert igs, they are fantastic lizards to keep with such great characters but as with any lizard need abit of research forst.

i found this care sheet pretty handy for the basics

iguanas - Care Sheets Information about Desert Iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) Lizards iguanas ,characteristics and sexing, Description of Diet, Diet-Herbivorous,Supplements, Nutrition and Usage - calcium and vitamins, Lighting and UVB,Tempatures and

u keep mine in a 4ft viv.

ive gone for a deserty type setup, stong uv tube (arcadia 12%) and they need a very hot baskiong spot, mine woint get out of bed for less than 130F.

they LOVE to dig and tunnel so if you can give them a substrate in which they can do this you will be amazed watching how good they are at digging and making tunnel systems/caves. mines gone abit bonkers in his viv building and re-arranging! lol

 

Hi!

I'm new here, and new with lizards :smile:

I'm getting two desert iguanas next week and now I'm planning the viv.

What would be the best substate for them? Is just sand enough?

 

Hi I use washed playsand as a substrate. These guys really like to dig, you can mix the sand with clay so the burrows they dig will not collapse.

Check our care sheet at for basic care:
Dipsosaurus dorsalis

I already bred these guys in 2008 and think my female maight be having eggs at the moment.

hope this helps

gr. Kamiel

 

Thank you so much for answering.
That's exactly what I was wondering about the substrate.

Now the next question is where can I get clay for the viv?

And should the substrate be dry or moist?

 

Substrate should deffinatly be dry, as these are dessert lizards. You might keep 1 hide slightly moist......

Where to get the clay. mmmmm I live in the netherlands and over here I buy it at our fishing shops......

gr. Kamiel

 

Thanks again

I'm still not sure about the clay. I'm from Finland and I don't think anyone here's has never use it in the viv... I have to ask around. Maby if I find some cheap clay I can try how it works first... I still have a week before I get my lizards, so I have time

And that toilet roll thing sounds great, thanx gizmossister! :notworthy: And very nice lizards you have there!

How deep should the subtrate be? Is 10-15 cm ok?