Mary Allen
A leopard-like pattern adorns the top of the body of the leopard iguana, which is where its name comes from. This animal is uncomplicated in its keeping and has no extraordinary demands. This is precisely why the leopard iguana is well suited for beginners.
Way of Life of the Leopard Iguana
The leopard iguana is native to the southwest of the United States as far as northern Mexico. There he lives in regions with sandy, loose soil and sparse vegetation. Leopard iguanas are very active. In nature, they mostly live as loners. When it is very hot, they prefer to retreat to the shade. They spend the night in their own earthworks. As they flee, they run away on their hind legs, using the tail as a counterweight. During the day you can often see them sunbathing lying on stones.
Females and males differ in appearance
The coloring of Gambelia wislizenii is either gray, brown, or beige. There are also dark spots on the back, tail, and sides of the body. The underside of the leopard iguana is light-colored. Males are a little smaller and more delicate than females. The leopard iguana can reach a total length of approx. 40 cm, although about 2/3 is accounted for by the round tail.
The Leopard Iguana in the Terrarium
Leopard iguanas should be kept in pairs or in smaller groups. But then with only one male and several females. The size of the terrarium should be at least 150 x 60 x 80 cm. Equip the terrarium with rock structures and many climbing opportunities, this is very important for these animals. It is best to use a mixture of sand and clay as the substrate, as the iguanas only lay their eggs in caves and can dig through this substrate.
During the day you should make sure that temperatures of 25 to 35 ° C prevail. At night they should be around 18 to 22 ° C. A place in the sun for the animals is very important. The temperature there should be around 40 ° C. UV irradiation is essential for this. Spray the terrarium thoroughly with water every day so that there is a certain level of humidity. A bowl of always fresh water should also not be missing.
Leopard iguanas feed primarily on animal food. Feed the animals with crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, or cockroaches. Occasionally, however, you can also give them something plant-based in the form of leaves, flowers, and fruits.
Note on Species Protection
Many terrarium animals are under species protection because their populations in the wild are endangered or could be endangered in the future. Therefore the trade is partly regulated by law. However, there are already many animals from German offspring. Before buying animals, please inquire whether special legal provisions need to be observed.