Adding a lizard to the family? Green iguanas are a popular choice — they’re one of the most popular pet lizards out there! But if you’ve only had furry friends, you’re going to need to know a few things about your new scaly pal.
Start your reptile education here:
Make sure you pick a veterinarian who treats iguanas. If your current vet doesn’t do much work with reptiles, you may want to ask for a referral to someone who does. It’s important to get an initial check-up when you bring your iguana home; your vet can also help you with care, diet, and housing information.
Your green iguana should be housed in a large aquarium or other sealed cage. Keep in mind that your iguana can get pretty big — some iguanas grow as long as six feet and weigh as much as eighteen pounds! You’ll need to clean the cage walls, floor, rocks, branches, and other stuff at least once a week. Just use hot water and a scrub brush — the scent of soaps and cleaners can make your iguana seriously sick.
Line the floor of your iguana cage with newspaper or paper towels — the bedding will need to be changed every single day. You can also use squares of carpet or towels cut to fit the size of the tank; these are easy enough to run through the wash. Try to avoid materials your iguana might eat, like kitty litter, wood shavings, bark, or corncob bedding.
Don’t forget water! A shallow dish of water is great for both drinking and bathing and helps keep the tank nice and humid. Be sure to change the water every day.
When it comes to diet, your green iguana has some very specific nutritional needs. Approximately ninety percent of his diet should be vegetable matter; the other ten percent should be fruits. Iguanas are herbivores and do not eat any animal proteins. Stick to dark green leafy veggies like collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, Swiss chard, and spinach. Variety is key! Your iguana will also need some calcium in his diet; your veterinarian may suggest a supplement.