Green/Red Iguana Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

10-20 years

AVERAGE ADULT SIZE

Up to 6 feet long 

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Basking Temps – 90- 950 F

Day Temps – around 78-850 F

Night Temps – Not to fall below 700 F 

HUMIDITY

65-75% humidity levels

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Green and Red Iguanas are generally lethargic diurnal lizards. With lots of training and human interaction they can be handled. These lizards get very large and powerful so training is a must to manage these beautiful creatures once they reach adult size. Males should always be housed alone, while females may be housed together given enough space. 

FEEDING

Green and Red Iguanas are completely herbivorous. Iguanas should be fed a large fresh salad every single day. Some great fruit and vegetable options are: Green beans, alfalfa (rabbit pellets), acorn squash, butternut squash, cactus leaves, collard greens, dandelion greens, endive, mango, mustard greens, okra, papaya, parsnips, snap peas, turnip greens and watercress. Be sure to feed a variety. Other fruits and vegetables can be fed in moderation.

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust food with calcium supplement and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile’s food should be dusted more often than an adult’s.

WATER

All water given to lizards for bathing, swimming or drinking, as well as water used for misting must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. Fresh water for soaking and drinking should be offered daily.

ENCLOSURE

Red and Green Iguanas are an arboreal forest species. They will usually choose the highest branch in the cage to perch on, so a very tall cage height is imperative. Cage size should be 8 feet long x 4-6 feet deep x 7-8 feet high. Solid sides like glass or plexiglass are recommended to keep humidity at appropriate levels.

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a mulch bedding or reptile carpeting substrate.

BRANCHES & PLANTS

Iguanas love to climb. Choose branches that your lizard can climb on safely and lie on comfortably. Sand blasted grape vine branches are available and serve as good sturdy climbing branches. Plants are not recommended for iguana habitats as they will eat them

UVB LIGHT

All iguanas MUST be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is CRITICAL in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium.

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All lizards must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Iguanas need 8-12 hours of daytime and 8-12 hours of nighttime.

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

•  8ft x 4ft x 7 ft reptile tank with secure mesh top at minimum for adults, juveniles may be housed in large glass tanks with secure mesh lids temporarily. 
• Large light domes and appropriate heat lights 
• Temperature / humidity gauge 
• Multiple wood perches and vines 
• Mulch bedding or reptile carpeting substrate 
• Spray bottle for misting 
• Large water bowl – big enough to soak in 
• Large food bowl 
• Fluorescent UVB Bulb and housing 
• Vitamin and calcium supplements 
• Water dechlorinate drops

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.