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Green Iguana Care Sheet
- Common Name
- Green Iguana
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- Scientific Name
- Iguana iguana
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- Native to
- South and Central America
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- Size
- 4-6' (1.5 - 2 metres)
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- Appearance
- A long tailed lizard, green coloured with dark stripes most noticeable along the tail.
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- Enclosure
- Iguanas require an extremely large enclosure, typically at least 1.5 times their length, with depth
being at least 2/3 their length. Height is also important as iguanas are arboreal, and so branches
should be provided for climbing.
Also provide a hide spot on both the hot side and the cool side of the enclosure.
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- Environment
- Daytime temperatures should be kept between 75° and 85° F (24° - 30° C), night time temperatures
a few degrees cooler. A daytime basking area with a temperature of 88° to 95° F (31° - 35° C) will also be required.
The ambient temperature can be maintained with basking bulbs, infrared bulbs, heat mats or ceramic emitters.
Ensure that all heat sources are controlled by a thermostat, and that
the heater itself is screened off with wire mesh so that your lizard cannot come into contact
with it, as they can get extremely hot.
Iguanas require UVA and UVB light, to help calcium metabolism, and process bodily vitamins.
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- Feeding
- Iguanas are Herbivores. Calcium rich vegetables such collard greens, kale, beet and
turnip greens, dandelions, etc. should comprise 30% to 40% of the diet. Other vegetables such as
string beans, and courgette, etc. should comprise another 30% to 40%. Fruit such as Figs, Raspberries,
Papayas, Grapes and Kiwi should be limited to 10% to 15%. Any kind of lettuce should be avoided since
it provides no nutritional value whatsoever (despite what the pet shop guy told you!).
Under no circumstances should anything containing animal protein be given (yes, this includes crickets
and mealworms!) as the iguanas digestive system is not designed to digest this, and can cause organ
failure and death.
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Iguanas grow extremely large, and can live over 15 years
They require a huge space and continued commitment from their owner throughout their entire lives
DO NOT PURCHASE AN IGUANA IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO HOUSE IT, OR TIME TO LOOK AFTER IT!!! |
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