Iguana iguana
Green Iguana
Green iguanas are sold small and appealing but grow into large, powerful, potentially defensive animals needing room-sized enclosures. They suit only committed, experienced keepers who plan for the true adult animal from day one.
IguanidaeLifespan 12–20 yearsCare complexity 5/5Not a beginner animal
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Iguana iguana
- Family
- Iguanidae
- Origin
- Tropical rainforest canopy of Central and South America and the Caribbean
- Lifespan
- 12–20 years
- Adult size
- 1.2–1.8 m including tail
- Weight
- 4–8 kg
- Temperament
- Can be flighty or defensive, especially unhandled adults; strong tail whip and claws
- Activity level
- Moderate; active climbing and basking through the day
- Social needs
- Low toward humans without consistent early handling; largely solitary
- Intelligence
- Good spatial learning of enclosure layout and basking routine
- Noise
- Silent
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Custom-built enclosure at least 2 x 2 x 2.5 m for an adult, as commercial vivaria are almost always too small
- Space requirement
- Tall, climb-rich space is essential; floor area alone is not enough
- Temperature
- Basking spot 35–38°C, ambient 26–30°C, night drop to 22–24°C
- Humidity
- 65–75%
- Exercise
- Extensive climbing space; adults need room to move that few households can provide long-term
- Grooming
- Periodic shedding assistance in low humidity; nail trims for indoor-kept individuals
Diet and feeding
Strictly herbivorous: dark leafy greens, vegetables and limited fruit; no animal protein
Behaviour and compatibility
Basking, climbing, head-bobbing displays, tail-whipping and biting when threatened
- With children
- Not recommended; adults are strong enough to cause serious scratch or bite injuries
- With other animals
- Solitary housing only
- Training difficulty
- High; consistent gentle handling from hatchling age is the only realistic way to produce a tolerant adult
Health
- Metabolic bone disease from inadequate UVB or calcium
- Abscesses from substrate injuries
- Egg binding in females
- Renal disease linked to poor diet
Needs a reptile-experienced vet familiar with the species' particular UVB and calcium requirements
Special care requirements
The scale of adult housing, UVB provision and handling risk make this one of the most commonly abandoned reptile species