The iguana is one of the most popular pet lizards. That said, this exotic pet requires a significant time investment and a high level of care.
They have highly specific feeding and housing needs, can grow to be fairly large and are extremely powerful. They can also be tough to tame and may act hostile if not regularly handled. Read below to learn what you should be aware of if you decide to get an iguana as a pet.
Behavior & Temperament
For pet iguanas to learn to trust you, they must be picked up and held on a regular basis, and be given an opportunity to feel at ease in their surroundings. This may prove challenging since they frequently find human interaction odd and may resist it. As a result, iguanas must be handled with compassion and caution.
Conversely, some iguanas prefer to climb on their humans, so if this is true for your pet iguana, we strongly recommend wearing protective gear. An adult iguana's tail is strong enough to fracture human bone. When handling them, be alert to any signs of hostility or struggle, especially if kids or other pets are in the room.
Common Health Problems
Like most pet reptiles, iguanas carry salmonella, which is found in an iguana's digestive tract. Wash your hands well and avoid touching your face before and after handling your pet. If you have young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems or seniors in your house, take special caution.
While iguanas can be tamed with daily care, they have a strong self defense drive and will scratch, bite and whip their tails if challenged.
Dehydration commonly causes kidney disease, which is a common health condition for iguanas. If your iguana is drinking or urinating frequently, lethargic, or has a swollen or distended abdomen or grossly swollen neck, bring it to a veterinarian right away.
Diet
Fresh food is essential for an iguana's health, and a high-protein diet can lead to health problems such as kidney failure. Iguanas in the wild are strict herbivores who avoid ingesting animal protein, even insects.
In addition to a high-quality pelleted commercial meal, give your iguana some fruit and a calcium supplement. Furthermore, iguanas require constant access to fresh water. Follow your veterinarian's feeding recommendations to keep your pet at a healthy weight for his or her size.
Because iguanas ingest their food whole without chewing, everything you serve must be diced or shredded into tiny pieces.
Housing the Iguana
Iguanas can grow to be up to 7 feet long when their tail is included, and they typically weigh around 20 pounds. As a result, an aquarium or a tiny reptile enclosure is a very short-term residence for a baby iguana. This size often astounds individuals who begin with a small baby iguana as a pet.
Most commercially available cages are inadequate for this tree-dwelling species. A suitable enclosure for a single iguana measures around 12 feet in length, 6 feet wide, and 8 feet tall. Many iguana owners prefer custom-built enclosures with ramps, shelves, and climbable branches. Many people may even transform a full room or a large closet into an iguana's habitat.
To digest its meal, the iguana requires a temperature of roughly 85° Fahrenheit. Heat lamps normally placed less than a foot away from basking ledges, can be used to achieve an ideal temperature. The iguana likes to bask at 95° Fahrenheit, and its habitat should not be colder than 75° Fahrenheit.
Use UVB reptile lights to offer adequate light exposure for 10 to 12 hours every day. Mercury vapor bulbs are appropriate for big enclosures or rooms. Your iguana will be able to bask in these lights thanks to the large branches and shelves in the enclosure.
Iguanas require at least 70% humidity in their surroundings. You can make your iguana's habitat more humid by adding a pool of water to the enclosure or using a mister. Misting your iguana twice a day is generally recommended to enhance humidity and preserve healthy skin.
The Pros & Cons of Keeping an Iguana
Here, we'll list some of the pros and cons you should consider before keeping an Iguana as a pet.
Pro: Lifespan
If cared for properly, Iguanas can easily live for more than 20 years. With commitment, there is no reason your iguana cannot live this long.
Con: Expensive to Accommodate
Iguanas require exact living conditions to live a long and healthy life. They will require a terrarium that is large enough to accommodate their final size, as well as appropriate lighting, humidity, and temperature conditions. Not to mention the costly appointments with a vet who specializes in exotic animals. If you believe you will struggle to keep an iguana for the next 20 years, you should consider a different pet.
Pro: Relatively Easy to Meet Their Diet
Iguanas eat leaves, fruits, flowers, and vegetables in the wild, and this entirely herbivorous diet must be mimicked in captivity. Iguanas do not drink much water in the wild because the greens they eat and the humidity in their surroundings keep them hydrated. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian for a more specific nutrition regimen for your pet iguana.
Con: Difficult to Train
If your iguana is exceptionally resistant, taming it can take YEARS. If you don't have the patience to wait so long, there are many more docile lizards available. Giving them food with your hand is also a possibility; this way, they will understand that you mean no harm.
Pro: They Are Diurnal
If you enjoy observing iguanas, it's preferable if they're awake at the same time as you. Iguanas are diurnal species, meaning they wake up with the sun. In the wild, they can be found basking in the sun on a tree branch.
Con: They Aren't for Children
Iguanas have powerful jaws and will bite if they feel threatened. Rapid or unexpected movements can shock an iguana, and toddlers can be fidgety. If an iguana feels threatened and decides to strike, its powerful tail can cause significant harm. So, if you have especially young children, you might want to hold off on the iguana for now.