All care sheets

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

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.

  1. Iguana iguana — species account

    Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan

    academic

    Range, large adult size, strict herbivory.

    Published: 2020-01-01

  2. Iguana iguana — IUCN Red List (LC)

    IUCN

    government

    Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.

    Published: 2019-01-01

  3. Green Iguana Care

    LafeberVet

    veterinary

    Enclosure scale, UVB, basking temps, herbivore diet, metabolic bone disease risk.

    Published: 2018-01-01

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) care sheet — Herpetoverse