Green Iguana Care

In the past several years, green iguanas have become one of the most commonly owned reptile species. Owning an iguana can be a very rewarding experience. However, improper care and husbandry are the reason why well over 80% of iguanas die within their first year of life. This article will discuss some of the basics involved in caring for a green iguana.

Cages/enclosures. Before you choose a cage for your iguana you should realize that green iguanas may start off as very small lizards, often times less than 8 inches long, but grow rapidly if cared for properly. When they are fully grown they can reach lengths of up to 6 feet and can live for over 10 years. Thus, the cage that you choose for your iguana should take into consideration that your cute little reptile is going to grow quite large. It is often better to start with a cage that can comfortably hold a 3-4 foot or larger iguana than to have to replace smaller cages every few months.

Temperature. Since iguanas generally come from climates unlike our own, you must recreate their natural environment in order to ensure optimal health. The average daytime temperature in the enclosure should be around 85-90 degrees with one area of the cage reaching 100-110 degrees. This will serve as a basking area. During the night, the temperature should be around 75-80 degrees. In the best-designed cages, there is a temperature gradient. Thus the entire cage is not kept at one constant temperature. Instead, the cage provides separate temperature zones. This will allow for a variety 

of different temperature ranges so that the animal can move according to his/her preference as opposed to being forced to stay in one constant temperature.

Bulbs and other heating sources should not be placed where the iguana can have direct contact with them because of the potential for burns. In addition, "hot rocks" can often inflict serious burns and are not recommended for use with reptiles.

Cage furnishings. Since iguanas are tree climbers by nature, it is critical that a sturdy branch be included in the cage/enclosure. Branches should be at least the width of the animal and heavy enough that they will not collapse under the weight of the iguana. Once again, planning ahead is key. A young iguana may weigh less than a pound but can grow to be well over 15 pounds. Taking this into consideration when first designing a cage can be of great help. 

A bowl or tub of warm water should be available at all times in the cage. Iguanas will not typically use this water to drink from, but will more often soak or defecate in the water. The bowl or tub should be cleaned and refilled at least daily to ensure that it does not become a source of contamination.

A full spectrum UV light, such as a Vita-Lite, is necessary to ensure that the iguana can adequately produce vitamin D3. Without Vitamin D3, iguanas have cannot absorb calcium.

Nutrition. Iguanas are, for the most part, strict vegetarians. This is one of the reasons they have become such popular reptiles. Proper nutrition is CRITICAL for the success of your iguana. The main thing to remember when feeding an iguana is VARIETY. An iguana maintained on the same vegetable for long periods of time will not do very well. By providing a wide variety of vegetables, you help to ensure that your iguana will not become nutritionally deficient.

A minimum of 40% of the diet should include calcium-rich vegetables like collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, and beet greens. A lesser amount, approx. 20-30%, of other vegetables such as green peppers, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, and green beans can be included in the diet. Limited quantities of broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage can be fed. If these foods are fed in excess, thyroid or other problems may result. Fresh fruits such as melon, grapes, banana, strawberries, and peaches can be fed at a maximum of 10-15%. Citrus-type fruits should be avoided.

While iguanas will generally enjoy the fruits, they are not as nutritionally packed as are the dark green, leafy vegetables. 

Lettuce should never be fed to an iguana because it contains almost no nutritional content. An iguana maintained on a majority of lettuce is sure to experience metabolic bone disease, a disease that can be fatal for iguanas. 

A light dusting of the vegetables with a specially formulated reptile supplement will help to make up for any deficiencies in the diet. However, one must remember that too much supplement can cause just as much harm as too little. Ideally, the supplement should contain calcium and phosphorus in a ratio that enhances the absorption of these nutrients. For a specific product recommendation, please contact a veterinarian that is familiar with green iguana care.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of your regular veterinarian. Please do not hesitate to contact your regular veterinarian if you have questions regarding your pet.