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Do iguanas need water? What is the best way to keep them hydrated? Keep reading to learn how to keep your iguana hydrated!
Iguanas often get their water in the wild through the dew on the leaves that they tend to eat and do not have a lot of sweat glands.
This means that they do not have a great need of water as much as they need food, and certainly not as much fluid as many of their other counterparts.
They are also cold-blooded, and this means that they change their skin color to regulate their temperatures and do not need sweat to cool off. But just because they require so little of it doesn’t mean you can skimp out on the water bowl.
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Why Iguanas Need Water?
Iguanas do need water! You can choose several ways to give them the necessary water that they need. For example, you can get a spray bottle. It is a bonus if you can get an atomizer mister, as it can create a healthy humid environment for the iguana in a vast enclosure.
You can also certainly consider getting a water bowl. But preferably make sure the water bowl is:
- Heavy
- Dog Bowl
- Steady
You want a water bowl meeting all these factors because iguanas have a funny habit of tipping over the bowl.
Teaching an Iguana to Drink Water from a Bowl
This is not a natural habit. Iguanas need to drink water, but some training is required. Consider taking some of their favorite treats and placing them in their water bowl as they should float on the surface. When they are hungry, they will eat it, and at the same time, learn how to drink!
You can also show them the water bowl every time you give them food and place it right in front of their face. Remember to tap the water and let them know they can splash it around.
What if I Never See My Pet Iguana Drinking Water?
Well, considering most of the water they get tends to come from plants and fruits such as watermelon, you should not worry too much. Iguanas need to learn to drink from a bowl but are able to survive without one. The bowl is there for emergencies and if they are not getting the amount of hydration needed.
So yes, it is an absolute must to have a water bowl with your iguana, but it doesn’t always mean the iguana is going to use it.
Misting your iguana’s enclosure can help keep the humidity up and provide it with tiny water droplets to drink from. Another great idea is bathing your iguana. They will often drink some of the bathwater in the process.
It would be best if you bathed your iguana in shallow, lukewarm water about 2-3 times a week. Parental supervision of your pet is needed to prevent any accidents. Some iguanas may enjoy the bathing, and others may panic, and you don’t know how yours will react until you give it a nice bath.
To Summarize: Do Iguanas Need Water?
Yes, like all animals, iguanas need water to survive. However, most of their hydration will come from the plants they eat.
Thus, if you notice your iguana isn’t using its water bowl, it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, if you are concerned, you can always bathe your iguana every week or so.
We hope this cleared things up for you! If you have another question regarding iguanas, feel free to search for it at the top of our website!