Description
About Green Iguanas
Iguanas are large reptiles found in the tropics of North, Central and South America as well as Mexico. Most tropical Iguanas have bright green skin, which helps camouflage their bodies in the green leaves of the rainforest. There are many species of Iguanas with different skin colours, including less commonly found reds and blue. The Green Iguana is the most common among all the types.
Traits & Behaviour
Baby Iguanas can move quickly, but adult iguanas often become quite lazy and docile, at least when they don’t feel threatened. Some iguanas love to climb on their owners while they are not in their cage. They do have sharp claws, so wear protective clothing if your pet iguana likes this activity. Pay attention to any struggling or aggression when handling them, especially if children or other pets are present since they have very sharp claws and can bite. For taming, captive Iguanas must be picked up and handled on a regular basis so that they may learn to trust you and feel at ease in their surroundings. Once tamed and socialised, they are intelligent and affectionate, and they may learn to recognise and respond to their owners.
Environment
Housing: An appropriately sized and shaped habitat with a secure cover is required. The Iguana should be able to freely turn and move around in the habitat. They will reach adult size in two to three years under ideal conditions; upgrade habitat size as the reptile grows. Adults require a habitat at least 12 feet long by 6 feet wide by 6 feet high (approximately twice as long as the iguana and as tall and as wide as the iguana). Height is critical, as iguanas are arboreal animals (tree-climbing).
Substrate: For Iguanas, a wood substrate, or bedding, is sufficient. Because they’re a tree-dwelling species, they spend most of their time climbing instead of burrowing in their bedding.
Decorations: They are natural tree-dwellers so branches and logs should be the primary decor in their enclosure. Some live or artificial plants can be placed around to mimic a natural environment.
Lighting & Heating: Maintain an ambient temperature between 24°C – 30°C. UVA/UVB bulbs should be placed above their basking spot. A Thermometer can be used to measure the ambient temperature in their enclosure.
UVA/UVB lights are needed by reptiles to naturally produce vitamin D3, which helps them absorb calcium. Approximately 10-12 hours of light is ideal for them.
Humidity: Since Green Iguanas come from tropical forests, it is advisable to keep the humidity between 65 – 80%. A hygrometer will help owners observe and measure the ambient humidity levels. Increase the humidity by misting the floor and surfaces when needed with a spray bottle.
Nutrition
Despite their aggressive looks, Green Iguanas are actually herbivores and eat mostly leaves, flowers, and fruits. Diets high in protein can cause health issues, such as kidney failure.
Staple Food: Provide your iguana with leafy greens, and some fruit. Shredded carrots and leafy greens can be fed daily and should be 70% of their daily diet. Iguanas may also benefit from being fed a commercially available pelleted iguana diet. Remove and discard any food that hasn’t been eaten after 10 hours.
Iguanas do not chew their food but swallow it whole; food should be chopped, shredded or grated into small, edible pieces to avoid choking.
Supplements: Calcium is needed to strengthen their bones and aid them in shedding. Sprinkle calcium powder on their food before feeding.
Water: Place a shallow drinking bowl which cannot be easily tipped over in their enclosure. Make sure the bowl is away from the basking spot as it will heat up and evaporate the water. Always keep their water source clean by renewing it every day.
Foods To Avoid: Never feed high-protein foods (such as insects and meat) to your Iguana, as their gastrointestinal tracts are not adapted to digest such high protein. They may develop kidney failure as a result of eating a diet high in animal protein.
Habitat Maintenance
Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled bedding and refilling their water bowl/drinker. The entire enclosure should be cleaned every couple of months.
Iguana Maintenance
Iguanas regularly shed their skin; ensure the humidity of the habitat is at the appropriate level to allow proper shedding. To facilitate shedding, mist the Iguana daily with warm water or soak it in a large shallow container that allows the Iguana to immerse their entire body. Never hold them by their tail as it can detach and never fully grow back.
Supply Checklist
Here are some necessary supplies owners will need to keep their Iguanas happy and healthy~
- Appropriate size and well-ventilated enclosure
- Substrate
- Basking rock/log
- Plants
- UVA/UVB lighting
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Calcium supplement
- Thermometer
- Hygrometer
- Vegetables
And you’re set! All the best to you and your pet Iguana!
For further enquiries contact us at 03-7733 7469 or drop by our shop and speak to our team!