Green Iguana

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Green Iguana

Scientific Name

  • The scientific name of Green Iguana is Iguana iguana

Description

  • Iguanas are certainly one of the most popular lizards to be kept as pets (probably one of the world’s most popular pet reptiles).
  • Easy to keep as long as a large area is provided.
  • Iguanas are one of the more recent “fad” pets, becoming readily available in many pet stores, often at very low prices.
  • These are young iguanas that don’t seem to be too difficult to care for, a myth often perpetuated by retailers hoping to sell them. Of course, they are very cute too!
  • Similar to other reptiles, iguanas have fairly strict feeding and housing requirements.
  • When they grow up, they are often very large in size (if they survive), and they can be difficult to tame and always become aggressive.
  • This is not to say those iguanas cannot make good pets – but they need the proper care right from the start, and owners need to have the right expectations.

Distribution

  • They are found from Central to South America, including Brazil, Mexico, to Paraguay.

Size

  • Male: approx. 6′ (SVL 1′ 8″).
  • Female: approx. 4′ (SVL 1′ 2″).
  • These iguanas are weighted around 15 – 30 lbs.

Life Span

  • They live up to 15 – 20 years

Green Iguana Food and Feeding

  • The iguanas are herbivorous, meaning that they are purely plant-eating animals.
  • Hatchlings and young iguanas may eat worms and insects.
  • Adults should be only fed with greens.

Natural Habitat and Housing

  • Rainforests, usually where near river banks.
  • A large water bowl should be provided for soaking, not for drinking, as a Green iguana would never drink by its mouth.
  • It would absorb enough water from the environment and water spray.

Green Iguana Common Disease

  • It has been found that many reptiles carry Salmonella, meaning it is present in the digestive tract without causing disease.
  • You need to follow common hygiene practices when handling iguanas to prevent unforeseen problems.
  • If there are young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, or elderly persons come to contact with the iguana, extra care will have to be taken to prevent Salmonella infections.