GREEN IGUANA

City reptiles do not stock iguana's

as they need a lot of room when full grown.

General

Through consistent daily handling your iguana will become tame, though at first it may try to whip you with its tail, bite or scratch. To lift, place one hand under the pelvis and one under the chest, then carry your iguana resting along your forearm. Allow plenty of exercise outside the enclosure, in a safe, iguana-proofed area.

Housing

A 55-gallon glass tank is suitable for a hatchling, but in a year will be too small, as your pet will continue to need larger enclosures as it grows. Use paper or towels, artificial turf or washable carpet on the floor. Avoid newspaper, kitty litter, wood shavings, gravel, sand, and bark. Install a hiding box, climbing branch and shelves to rest on, as well as an under-tank heating pad to maintain daytime temps between 76-88° F and humidity around 75%. Provide a basking area of 88-95° F at least 12 hours a day, using a basking light or ceramic heating element (100-150 watts). At night keep temperatures at 73-84°F with a heat light (60-100 watts) or ceramic heating element. UVA and UVB light is essential for good health. Choose a 'full spectrum' fluorescent light specifically designed for reptiles (not all 'full spectrum' lights provide UVB light) and securely fix it 12-15 inches above the iguana, controlled by timer to give a 12 hour day/night cycle. Natural sunlight is even better!

Diet

Feed your iguana primarily dark leafy greens (60% -70%) with a small amount of grated vegetables and a bit of fruit. Good choices are collards, mustard, dandelions, escarole and watercress. Avoid iceberg lettuce. Sprinkle alfalfa pellets, powder, or crushed tablets over the fresh food and mix. Commercial alfalfa-based iguana food may be offered in addition to fresh foods. Iguanas should never be offered meat or dairy products. Calcium supplements can be beneficial breeding females. Vitamin and mineral supplementation are generally unnecessary and may even be harmful (consult your vet). Clean drinking water should always be available.

Cleaning

Remove waste daily. Wash your iguana's enclosure and equipment weekly, and disinfect.

Health

Be sure to locate an experienced reptile veterinarian. Be observant, any change in normal appearance or behavior may indicate an illness or injury needing treatment.

Warnings

Reptiles may carry salmonella bacteria, so good hygiene is essential.