Would you recommend an aguana for a first lizard pet?

My room mate wants to get an aguana and he's never had one before. I don't mind that so much but I lived in Panama when I was younger and aguana's were as common as gecko's are in Arizona. I remember the one's down there got pretty big and could be quite mean if you bothered them. How are they as pets? It's not the size so much as the attitude that has me reluctant to agree with his desire.

Do you mean.. Iguana?

Not the best first lizard in my opinion. They can be a little aggressive if you do not know how to work with them. I would suggest a bearded dragon or blue tongue skink for a first lizard.

I want an iguana extremely bad but I've read all over posts about how even with regular handling iguanas will sometimes becom Mini Godzillas in their older age which makes them rather unpleasant to be around. I'm sure this isn't always the case but I have seen it stated numerous times. :/

ACKIE MONITOR! I know putting everything in caps is obnoxious but that's how strongly I feel about the recommendation. If your thinking iguana your already willing to compromise for space and a ackies stay small are very intelligent and can be extremely friendly with regular handling. :) they are true dwarf monitors. :)

Sorry about the bad spelling. Yes I mean Iguana. I thought they might be a bad choice for someone who doesn't really know reptiles. He wants it because he thinks they're cool but he doesn't have any concept of what it takes to maintain an animal like that. He's talking about putting it into a cage built out of boards and chicken wire and keeping it in the back yard. I told him that they are tropical animals and probably need high humidity. Summers in Arizona are extremely hot so I don't think that's a good idea. Anyway, I'm trying to talk him into a bearded dragon since they are desert animal and stay small but I'll be able to stop him if I have info to support my argument. All advice is appreciated.

Green Iguana's make horrible pets unless you have the time and patience to tame them and the $$ to feed them properly, lettuce is not a source of nutrients for Iguanas. You must also provide the proper space to cage a 4-6ft Adult Iguana comfortably, not cramped in a small cage. Plus males during breeding season become total psycho's and can take fingers off and send you to the Hospital for stitches pretty quickly.

I have a bearded dragon and he's been one of the best pets I've ever had.

Yea, sounds to me like he is in no way ready for an Iguana.

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Originally Posted by enchantress62

Sorry about the bad spelling. Yes I mean Iguana. I thought they might be a bad choice for someone who doesn't really know reptiles. He wants it because he thinks they're cool but he doesn't have any concept of what it takes to maintain an animal like that. He's talking about putting it into a cage built out of boards and chicken wire and keeping it in the back yard. I told him that they are tropical animals and probably need high humidity. Summers in Arizona are extremely hot so I don't think that's a good idea. Anyway, I'm trying to talk him into a bearded dragon since they are desert animal and stay small but I'll be able to stop him if I have info to support my argument. All advice is appreciated.

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That does not sound like an ideal setup for iguana what so ever. I have a Beardie and I absolutely love her but they do require both UVB and UVA lighting which can get expensive. Sounds like your friend wants a cool reptile but doesn't have a concept on the work it takes to take care of one. Print out a bunch of extensive care sheets on whatever he's talking about purchasing and give them to him. If he's detoured by the care that the animal requires then he shouldn't purchase one. :/.