Green Iguana Care Sheet
Lizard
6 - 7 feet long
15 -20 years
Herbivore
Diet & Nutrition
Green Iguanas are strict herbivores. They eat a variety of vegetation. 80% of their diet should consist of dark leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens. The remaining 20% should consist of fruits and soft vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber.
Feeding Schedule
Feed babies and juveniles twice daily. Adults should also eat daily, although they may not eat as much as a younger Green Iguana. Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Feed them the amount they will eat in 10 minutes.
Housing & Habitat
Green Iguanas come from Central and South America. The environment should be kept warm and humid. These are tree-dwelling lizards. Provide plenty of foliage for hiding along with various branches for climbing. Green Iguanas may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together Green Iguanas should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same enclosure. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together.
Enclosure Size
A single adult must have a minimum cage size that is twice the length of the
Iguana in each direction. For example, if the iguana is 3 feet long, the cage should measure 6 feet x 6 feet x 6 feet.
Substrate
Due to humidity requirements an absorbent substrate is desired. Peat moss or coconut fiber are preferred.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
A Green Iguana's basking spot should be 95°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 70°F.
Lighting
Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB.
Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.
Humidity & Watering
Humidity
Green Iguanas also require high humidity. The cage should be sprayed once to twice daily with a spray bottle. Spray until the cage and decorations are dripping. Humidity levels should be between 65% - 80%.
Watering
Provide a bowl of fresh drinking water at all times. Green Iguanas like to soak in their water bowls, therefore a large bowl is desired.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Green Iguanas eat?
Green Iguanas are strict herbivores. They eat a variety of vegetation. 80% of their diet should consist of dark leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens. The remaining 20% should consist of fruits and soft vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber. Never Feed Lettuce! It contains no nutrition.
What size enclosure does a Green Iguana need?
Green Iguanas come from Central and South America. The environment should be kept warm and humid. These are tree-dwelling lizards. Provide plenty of foliage for hiding along with various branches for climbing. Green Iguanas may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together Green Iguanas should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same enclosure. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together. A single adult mus...
What temperature and lighting does a Green Iguana need?
A Green Iguana's basking spot should be 95°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 70°F. Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: Green Iguanas also require high humidity. The cage should be sprayed once to twice daily with a spray bottle. Spray until the ca...