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Reptile Vault
Care Sheet
Generated May 18, 2026
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Green Iguana

Iguana iguana

The green iguana is an impressive large lizard that unfortunately is often sold as a beginner pet due to cheap prices, when in reality it requires expert-level care and a lifetime commitment. Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, adult green iguanas can reach 5-7 feet in total length and require room-sized enclosures measuring 8x4x8 feet or larger. Despite their challenging care requirements, properly-raised green iguanas can become remarkably tame and form strong bonds with their keepers. They are strict herbivores requiring a precise diet of specific greens, vegetables, and occasional fruit - feeding animal protein causes fatal kidney damage over time. Green iguanas live 15-20+ years and can deliver powerful tail whips and bites when stressed.

Green Iguana
Quick Facts
Care Level
advanced
Adult Size
4-6 feet (including tail)
Lifespan
15-20+ years
Diet Type
herbivore
Activity
diurnal
Temperament
docile
Group
lizard
Origin
Central and South America and Caribbean
🌱

Beginner Suitability

First Reptile?no
Beginner Score3/10
Beginner Warnings
Massive adult size, complex needs, can be aggressive
🤚

Temperament & Handling

Temperamentdocile
Handling Tolerancemoderate
Handling Notes
Can become tame with daily handling but some remain aggressive. Powerful tail whip. Claws and teeth can injure.
🌡️

Temperature & Humidity

Temperature
Basking98°F
Ambient82°F
Night78°F
Basking air temp 95-100°F. Need very hot basking. Multiple basking floods often needed.
Humidity
Target Range60% – 80%
High humidity required. Daily misting. Prone to kidney disease if dehydrated.
💡

Lighting & UVB

UVB RequiredYes — Required
Target UVI2.9-7.4
Lighting Notes
Ferguson Zone 3. High UVB requirement. T5 HO 10-12% or mercury vapor. Essential for calcium metabolism.
🏠

Enclosure

Minimum Size6x3x6 ft minimum
Recommended Size8x4x8 ft or room-sized enclosure
Enclosure Typeterrestrial
🪨

Substrate & Environment

Substrate TypeTile, newspaper, or bioactive (no loose substrate for eating)
Substrate DepthN/A for tile
Water Featureyes
Water Notes
Large soaking tub or pool. Many defecate in water. Misting for humidity.
🦎

Activity & Behavior

Activity Patterndiurnal
Social Behaviorsolitary
Cohabitation
Absolutely no cohabitation; highly territorial. Males especially aggressive.
Green Iguana
Care Sheet — Diet & Nutrition
🍽️

Diet & Nutrition

Diet Typeherbivore
Feeding FrequencyDaily
Diet Notes
100% plant-based. Dark leafy greens (collards, mustard, turnip), vegetables, some fruit. No animal protein.
💊 Supplementation Schedule

Calcium without D3 daily if strong UVB. Multivitamin 1-2x weekly.

✅ Recommended Foods
FoodCategoryCa:PUsage
Collard Greensleafy9.3staple
Mulberry Leafleafy5staple
Turnip Greensleafy4.5staple
Hibiscus Leafleafy4.2staple
🚫 Foods to Avoid
FoodToxicityCategory
Avocado☠️ fatalfruit
Fireflies☠️ fatalinsect
Foxglove☠️ fatalflower
Garlic☠️ fatalvegetable
Green Iguana
Care Sheet — Health & More
⚕️

Health & Critical Care

Metabolic bone disease, kidney disease, thermal burns, mouth rot, parasites, reproductive issues
Health Notes
MBD very common due to improper diet/UVB. Kidney disease from dehydration. Femoral pore impactions in males.
🥚

Breeding

Difficultydifficult
SeasonWinter/dry season
Clutch Size20-70 eggs
Incubation90-120 days
Sexual Dimorphism
high
Breeding Notes
Large clutches. Maternal aggression. Commercial incubation needed.

Available Morphs

Albino and Blue morphs exist but uncommon

💰

Cost & Availability

Price Rangebudget
Availabilitycommon
🌍

Native Habitat

Native RegionCentral and South America and Caribbean
Habitat Typerainforest
Climate Notes
Hot humid tropical; arboreal lifestyle
📋

Legal & Conservation

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Legal Restrictions
Invasive in Florida; banned in Hawaii

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