Care sheet

Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

Also known as: Common Iguana

Iguanidae · Squamata

AdvancedCITES IIIUCN LC

Activity: ☀️ Diurnal
Temperament: Defensive
Adult length: 48–72 in
Adult weight: 3000–8000 g
Lifespan (captivity): 15–20 yrs
Native range: Mexico, Central and South America, and Caribbean — tropical forest near water

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Care guide

Overview

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) — grows to 5-6 ft and is one of the most commonly mis-kept reptiles. Adults require room-sized custom enclosures, powerful UVB, high basking heat, and a strict herbivore diet. Males can be seasonally aggressive.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

75–85 °F

Warm side

85–90 °F

Basking spot

95–100 °F

Nighttime

73–80 °F

Humidity (ambient)

60–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?

Yes — provide UVB

Fixture type

T5 HO

Replacement interval

Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Arboreal

Bioactive setup

Not ideal

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingNot specified
JuvenileNot specified
AdultCustom room-sized enclosure (8x4x6 ft+); adults outgrow any commercial cage

Housing

Substrate

Safe options

large cypress mulchnewspaper/linersealed floor

Avoid

ingestible small particulatecedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Herbivore

Feeding frequency by life stage

JuvenileDaily
AdultDaily fresh greens (strict herbivore)

Supplementation

Calcium essential; strictly plant-based (collards, mustard/turnip greens, squash). Animal protein harms kidneys.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Large water basin for drinking and soaking; iguanas defecate in water often, so clean daily.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

LC · Least Concern

Wild populations

CITES Appendix II. Routinely and drastically underhoused: adults reach 5-6 ft, need room-sized custom space, high UVB, and a strict herbivore diet. Not a beginner animal.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Iguana iguana — species account
Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan
academic
Range, large adult size, strict herbivory.
Published: 2020-01-01
Iguana iguana — IUCN Red List (LC)
IUCN
government
Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.
Published: 2019-01-01
Green Iguana Care
LafeberVet
veterinary
Enclosure scale, UVB, basking temps, herbivore diet, metabolic bone disease risk.
Published: 2018-01-01