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Green
Iguanas (Iguana iguana)
Green Iguanas are found
throughout southern Mexico,
Central America, and South
America. Each locality will
vary slightly in appearance,
but are all still the same
species. Male iguanas can
reach an adult size of six
feet, while females are
smaller usually growing to
four or five feet. Iguanas
are very difficult to sex as
babies and juveniles. Adult
male Iguanas have larger
heads, jowls and typically
larger dorsal crests. The
easiest way to sex adult
Iguanas is the presence of
enlarged femoral pores.
These pores are located on
the underside of the back
legs, a male Iguanas pores
are noticeably larger.
Green Iguanas are very long
lived and one can expect
their pet to live ten to
twenty years if properly
cared for.
Temperature and UV
Lighting
Green Iguanas should be
maintained at a daytime
temperature of 85-95
degrees, with a basking spot
reaching up to 100. Night
time temperatures should be
maintained between 70 -75
degrees. If your home is
cooler than these
temperatures at night you
will need a red or other
dark heat light to be used
at night. Iguanas come from
a humid environment and
ideally humidity should be
maintained from 70-80%.
This level of humidity can
be accomplished by misting
the cage daily with water.
Green Iguanas require 10-14
hours a day of UVB light.
This light enables the
Iguana to produce vitamin
D3. The vitamin D produced
by UVB metabolizes the
calcium in the lizards’
diet. In general it’s what
makes Iguanas bones hard and
without it they usually
die. This process of
inadequate UVB and calcium
is called Metabolic Bone
Disease. Also it is very
important to change your UVB
light every 6-8 months,
after this time the light
stops producing adequate UVB.
If you’re not sure if your
UV light is still producing
UVB, bring it in and we’ll
be happy to test the light
for you.
Calcium
Green Iguanas also require a
calcium and vitamin
supplement. This supplement
works with the UVB light
allowing the lizard to
receive the proper amounts
of calcium and vitamins.
This should be used every
day as babies and reduced to
1-2 times a week as adults.
Calcium is sold in a powder
form and is sprinkled on the
vegetables that you feed
your Iguana. You should
apply a very light coating
to the food items, being
careful not to waste any
excess powder.
Bedding
Our recommendation for
bedding is bark, coconut
bark or some other type of
mulch. This bedding absorbs
water and helps maintain a
high relative humidity.
Food and Water
Green Iguanas are herbivores
and their diet should
consist of green leafy
vegetables. The following
vegetables should make up 80
percent of an iguanas diet:
Collard greens, mustard
greens, red leaf lettuce,
green leaf lettuce, romaine
lettuce, dandelion greens,
hibiscus leaves and flowers,
green onions, spinach, green
beans, zucchini, and frozen
mixed vegetables. Fruits
should make up the remaining
20% of an Iguanas diet.
Examples of ideal fruits
are: Apple, bananas,
strawberries, figs, peaches,
mango, papaya, cantaloupe,
grapes, blackberries, and
blueberries. Iguanas also
can be fed dry pellet foods
as a supplement to the diet
stated above. Iguanas are
excellent swimmers and a
water bowl large enough for
them to completely submerse
themselves is ideal.
Cleaning and Handling
The terrarium should be
cleaned as necessary. Any
fecal matter or left over
food should be cleaned out
several times a week. The
bedding should be completely
changed once a month. The
inside of the terrarium can
be cleaned out with an
appropriate reptile cage
cleaner. We recommend
Natural Chemistry’s Healthy
Habitat. Fresh clean water
should always be provided.
We recommend that you
handle your Iguana a few
times each day for up to a
half an hour. This repeated
handling will help your new
pet get comfortable with you
and its new surroundings.
You can handle your Iguana
for longer periods of time
once it has become more
accustomed to you and its
new habitat. Remember never
pick up your Iguana by the
tail, it can break off.