green iguana

[Royal_Rodents]

hi guys,
i've been thinking about getting a green iguana for some time now.but i would like to here of personal experinces from them i know that the cage size can be very large and that most iguanas will out grown commerically large tanks and that thier basking spot needs to be of about 85-100 degrees. also that they like to climb so thier cage needs to be about 6 ft tall and so on.but what do you feed them and do they bite? any other info would be greatly appericated

[AzureN1ght]

I've had a juvenile and my brother had adopted an adult for awhile. Mine died before reaching adulthood (I was young and I don't think the nutrition/care requirements were as they should be--and the pet shop suggested a heat rock). This was prior to wide-spread internet use...so I didn't even think of looking online for information. My brother's adult was mean-natured. She would bite you if she could, she whipped her tail and I still have scars years later on my arms from her toenails...my brother is younger than me, and we had our iguanas around the same time. We ended up adopting her out to a friend's family--she was too much for kids to handle and my mom was getting tired of having to deal with her.

They're not beginner lizards; they're large and they're long-term commitments. They need specialty lighting, humidity, heat gradients, fresh fruit and vegetables daily, vitamin supplements, etc. etc. In addition, they can develop a mean streak as adults, no matter how much they were handled as juvies. So, if you're willing to make a commitment to a lizard like that, and are prepared to do it, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd suggest looking into a more beginner lizard.

[Flirtycuddle]

They need UVB and heat and high humidity. I have an adult female and it has been so cool having her but not for beginers espically with the size of cage and such they need. I actually turned my walk in closet into her "room" with lighting and humidifier and basking branches and such. I still give her baths daily just to make sure she is staying hydrated. They eat greens, fruits and veggies only..animal protien can really harm them. Try green society for mroe in depth info. My girl is 4ft long and she can put up one heck of a fight if she wants to. I have 2 scars on my wrist from her getting mad at something and scratching my arms. They can bite if provoked just like any animal so you do have to be careful for that. I'm more worried about her wipping me with her tail then biting though. They are great animals and pets and I wouldn't trade her for anything. i have had her 4 or 5 months. Also if possible you could try to adopt an unwnated iggy since there are so many of them inshelters with out someont to adopt them. I adopted her and it was the best choice

[bignasty]

My first reptile pet was a Green Iguana, and he's still alive. I've had him since high school, and now he's over 6 or 7 years old. He's tame, although he doesn't want to be picked up, but you can still handle and touch him.

Regarding the cage, mine lived in wooden makeshift cage enclosed with chicken wire that I made when I was high school. But when he outgrew that, I let him roam around our house. Iguanas are fairly smart and know where to poo. You can even potty train them if you want. He still roams around the house, and when I notice he's about to poo I bring him outside.

About the temp and heating requirements, I live in here in Asia where it's moderately hot and humid. My iguana knows when to go outside when he wants to bask, so he really does everything by himself.

Food is the only thing that's a problem (in my opinion). Iguanas eat like pigs!!! And they eat everyday, 2x a day. When they reach adulthood, it's a bit expensive to feed them. I feed mine mustard and collard greens, bok choy, kangkong and sometimes watercress if there's available. I also feed him carrots and banana sometimes, those are his favorite veggie and fruit! Here's a helpful website for your reference: http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.htm

I sometimes supplement my iguana by dusting some calcium powder with D3 in his food.

Caring for an iguana is easy. They're very hardy reptiles. Never had a major problem with mine (aside from the incident where he lost his tail in an accident). Taming will also be a factor. It's best if you're able to acquire your iguana as a hatchling or juvenile so as to familiarize them with people. If you got a wild adult in the hopes of taming it.. there's a very small chance you'll succeed. Iguanas don't bite, they prefer to tail whip you.. and it hurts!!! You also have to regularly trim their nails.

So that's my experience. IMO, if you've got money to spare, by all means get an iguana, but if you're on a limited budget, I'd recommend getting another reptile (like a bearded dragon). The long-term implications of purchasing an iguana are the expensive maintenance (food!!!) and when it gets older, you may get bored or tired of caring for it. Don't buy on impulse, think about it first. I think it's best to just save up for a ball python

[mlededee]

Iguanas aren't really that easy and are definitely only for the intermediate to advanced large reptile keeper. They have lot of strict requirements and husbandry needs. Pet store babies are mass produced and tend to be full of parasites. They aren't hardy at all--in fact most die and those that do survive are often abandoned or dumped at rescues because they got too large, too expensive or too aggressive for their owners to handle.

[littleindiangirl]

Have you ever thought about a tegu? Red or the black and white. That is my dream lizard, and I hope to someday have a nice yard in the sunny southern states to let him hang out in. In my small and inexperienced but very humble opinion, iguana's shouldn't even be for sale without a permit.

There are so many other lizards to choose from, iguanas are probably the last on my list of "good" pets.

[Flirtycuddle]

I find iguanas to be great pets but that is because I lucked out with a very tame docile adult female. If they are tamed right and soicalized they can be just like any other aniaml you have to care for. My iguana is "potty" trained meaning she goes in the bathroom to go potty right behind the toilet on the news paper. She goes through 2 bunches of greens a week meaning 2 of collard and 1-2 of mustard when she wants to eat. Ohter times she decides shes not eating that day and so not as much. There is a big commintment into getting an iguana with food and care. Tail whips are more common then biting since that i there first line of defense and boy does that hurt. They will and do bite when they feel they have to though.

[littleindiangirl]

Not to be depressing or anything, but that could all change. You've had her for only 4 or 5 months, (and I hope nothing does happen where they are mean, cross fingers) but the experiences from many here say that they can flip a switch for no reason.

Others may have had great times with them, but I still stand by the fact that they are the most abused and tossed aside large reptile out there because of their behavior and cost to keep.

I have to keep plugging away that it shouldn't be the first lizard to keep solely based on how many are discarded and in shelters because of inexperienced keepers and expectations.