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What is an iguana logbook, journal or diary? Keeping a logbook, journal or diary of the care given to a pet iguana can be a fantastic source of information later on in the iguana's life. We can all learn from our mistakes as well as from the things we do correctly. Keeping a journal of the iguana's life can be interesting reading as well, when that iguana is older. When and if any medical conditions arise, tracking down a possible source of the problem may be accomplished much easier when there is a record of what has been done and there may possibly be warning signs of something very serious that can be prevented. More than anything, having a record of everything that has ever happened in an iguana's life can be nothing but a good thing when it comes to learning more about these sometimes hard to understand animals. Should an iguana diary be private? The best person that can have a very good use for an iguana journal is the veterinarian that is caring for the iguana. It's very important that the owner take any journals or information when it's time for the visit to the vet. A good quality herp vet may be able to spot anything that may be wrong with its care, diet, behavior, etc. and besides, with as complex as iguana care can be, it may be difficult to remember everything. What should be written down and how? Basically, keeping track of everything the owner can possibly think of keeping track of, can be the best way of deciding what to write down in a journal. The owner can buy a simple notebook of paper and write down entries when necessary and some even have detailed journals on their computers. However the owner decides to keep the information is fine, just as long as the information is recorded on a regular basis. If possible, record as much as possible on the very first day of owning the iguana. Below is a list of various items that can be recorded in a journal or logbook. They are in no particular order and we suggest that each owner develop his or her own special way of keeping a journal. These are only the basic recommendations and anything the owner can think of adding can only improve the quality of information recorded. |
| Journal Entries | Information | How often? |
| Iguanas name | We recommend that iguanas that are pets be given a name just like any other pet. | Once |
| Male or female | As soon as it's possible to determine the sex of the iguana, it's important to record it with information on what sexual characteristics have been noted. | Once or as often as necessary |
| Where it came from and how much it cost | Adoption center, rescue organization or pet store it was bought from. Knowing how much it cost can be fun later on, compared to how much more it will cost raising it. Noting whether or not it was captive bred or caught wild can be good to know as well. | Once |
| Additional costs | Keeping track of how much is spent on supplies, food, vet bills, etc. can be an invaluable asset later on when the owner encounters someone who is unsure as to whether or not they want an iguana as a pet. | Constantly |
| Measurements - Snout-Vent Length (SVL) , Snout-Tail (STL) | Measure from the tip of the snout (the nose) to the vent (the butt) and the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Both of these measurements are important to keep | Young iguanas - every 3-4 weeks, older iguanas - about every 3 months |
| Weight | If possible have it weighed on an accurate scale. | As often as possible |
| Age and/or hatch date | If known or even approximated, it's very important to know how old it is. | Once |
| Information about the parents | If possible, it's good to record any known information about the iguanas parents. | Once |
| Date | Day, month and year recorded along with each entry in the journal. | Daily |
| Food and feeding habits | Each mixture of food should be recorded along with any notes on eating habits and patterns. Notes on what the iguana likes or dislikes can be very useful as well. | Daily |
| Water and drinking habits | Notes on when water is provided and when and if the iguana is seen drinking. | Daily |
| Habits & activity levels | Notes on what the iguana does, where it likes to be, etc. | Daily |
| Defication and stool patterns | Notes on what the feces looks like including size, color, location and times. | Daily |
| Bath and bathing times | Notes on when baths and soaks are given, including lengths, temperatures and activity levels while bathing. | With each bath |
| Habitat changes | Record what the habitat consists of including lights, temperatures, heating devices, any additional items in the habitat, and any changes or additions to the habitat. | Whenever needed |
| Misting and humidity | Notes on when and how the iguana and its habitat are misted or humidity is provided and how. | Daily and whenever needed |
| Shedding | Notes on when and how it sheds, including what parts shed and when, patterns of shedding, dates, and habits of the iguana when shedding occurs. | Whenever needed |
| Lighting and sun sessions | Notes on amounts of light provided in hours and number of bulbs. Notes on number of hours the iguana has access to direct sunlight. | Daily and hopefully as often as possible |
| Free roaming notes | Notes on the amount of time it's outside the habitat, including habits, activity, and what it seems to do while outside the habitat. | Daily |
| General characteristics and behavior | As many notes on the way the iguana acts on a day to day basis. Anything and everything should be noted and recorded. | Daily |
| Medical notes | Any notes on any changes in health including any accidents, strange behavior, injuries and illness. Notes and records of every vet visit, including notes from the vet, medications and treatments. | Whenever needed |
| Other notes | Any other notes on basically anything of importance can be very useful. | Whenever needed |
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