Hi there. I know this may be a little earlier than I should start worrying about this, but I have researched many websites on gravid female iguanas, and how to make a suitable nesting box.

They keep saying to get two kitty litter pans, tape them together with duct tape, and fill with damp potting soil. However, I have failed to find any pictures of these.

Are there any pictures of a proper nesting box so I can see and know I am getting the right idea?

I know that the hole should be at the UPPER kitty litter pan, so should any part of the TOP be cut open? Or just the side?

And should the soil be filled completely into BOTH litter pans, so that the opening entrance is a wall of soil? Or should it only fill the BOTTOM pan, allowing the ig to enter the "cave" WITHOUT digging, then dig a hole in the soil from above?

From my impression, kitty litter boxes are quite shallow. I am not sure if I got the right idea of how an adult female iguana would fit inside the height of two kitty litter boxes, much less be able to dig deep into there...

Any pics?

Hello,
I have never heard of that method, but I won't say it isn't a feasible idea. The method I have heard and read about is to use a plastic trashcan with a cover.
Put the trash can on its side and cut an entrance hole in "the cover" toward the "top". Fill the trashcan, while its on its side, half full of soil.

I attached a quick drawing of the cover and how it could appear.

Attached Images

trashcan.JPG (9.0 KB, 13 views)

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.:: Rich ::.

+ Spread The Info

Hey nothing wrong with looking ahead!
You can also use a large plastic storage box. Again you put the hole on the top or in the top of the side and the soil mix is almost up to the level of the hole. If you go past the hole all your soil will just end up strewn around the cage.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Hmmm, so basically it needs a tub of soil with a hole ABOVE the soil. How deep need the soil be for them to dig down?

I would think that since the trashcan or tub whatever is probably plastic and hard for the ig to grip, you'll need to put a branch or something for them to climb into it?

I would hesitate on using a trashcan because it is round and would roll around. I think some kind of box with a tunnel up top would prevent that.

I have NO IDEA how when the time comes I will be able to fit something like that into my enclosure!!! My enclosure is big, but it is full of racks and branches and things.

By the way anyone got an actual photo of a nesting box they used?

i think anapsid.org has some info on this topic. i'm trying to remember the exact site that I saw these pics on I dont remember but I think that anapsid had some pics of the nesting boxes and then the females actually laying. if you do a google search on "iguana breeding" you may get some good results too.

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

Adam,

I got the kitty litter box thing from anapsid.org. I've got the general idea now, just curious to see what people have done.

Ugh, I forgot to take any pics of my females' box that I made before taking it and putting it away. I used one of those big 40 gallon or so size of a Rubbermaid type box with the lid, cut a hole in the upperhalf of the side and filled it to just under that with a slightly damp sand/soil mix. Made sure it was easy to get to the hole and climb in, etc. Thought I did a good job too, but she wouldn't have anything to do with it, lol, even when I would put her in it to get used to it, she'd just want out. She ended up getting that shot of pitocin last week and laid all her eggs on the comfort of her mattress on her basking shelf, lol.
But I usually take pics of everything they do, I don't know why I didn't get a pic of the nesting box, sorry.

I am starting to get a wee bit worried listening to you folks because herp vets are rare if any here in Hong Kong. I'm almost hoping its a male so it would bite me instead of have complications with eggs.