'''Order:''' Squamata <br />

'''Order:''' Squamata <br />

'''Family:''' Iguanidae <br />

'''Family:''' Iguanidae <br />

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

HOWEVER - once the doom and gloom of iguana facts are done - they make amazing pets when you know how to care for one right. They can become very social to the point of sleeping in their owners' beds and following them around the house. It may take a year to get them there, but it's work well worth it. They can even become accustomed to other family pets. Females have no issues with egging if properly cared for from the beginning. Knowing iguana care and doing things right is the key. If this is the lizard you choose to bring into your home - research! There are wonderful websites out there on iguana care and I strongly suggest you use information from all of them. There are some bad ones, but you will learn the difference as you ask questions and learn the consistencies in information in the good care tips given.

HOWEVER - once the doom and gloom of iguana facts are done - they make amazing pets when you know how to care for one right. They can become very social to the point of sleeping in their owners' beds and following them around the house. It may take a year to get them there, but it's work well worth it. They can even become accustomed to other family pets. Females have no issues with egging if properly cared for from the beginning. Knowing iguana care and doing things right is the key. If this is the lizard you choose to bring into your home - research! There are wonderful websites out there on iguana care and I strongly suggest you use information from all of them. There are some bad ones, but you will learn the difference as you ask questions and learn the consistencies in information in the good care tips given.

Like most lizards, iguanas have a third eye called the parietal eye. This is located on the very top of the head and looks like a milky scale. This is a fully functioning eye, however it is only able to detect light and dark such as shadows going overhead. This is part of their advanced warning system that allows them to see birds of prey flying over head. They act accordingly by darting into the foliage out of sight and relative safety. The bigger the iguana gets, the less they need to react, but as babies this is a tool used in life or death. For this reason it is always best to go into the cage from the front and not overhead. You will be seen as a predator because of the shadow caused by your hand.

Like most lizards, iguanas have a third eye called the parietal eye. This is located on the very top of the head and looks like a milky scale. This is a fully functioning eye, however it is only able to detect light and dark such as shadows going overhead. This is part of their advanced warning system that allows them to see birds of prey flying over head. They act accordingly by darting into the foliage out of sight and relative safety. The bigger the iguana gets, the less they need to react, but as babies this is a tool used in life or death. For this reason it is always best to go into the cage from the front and not overhead. You will be seen as a predator because of the shadow caused by your hand.

Difficult. These are not a beginner lizard. They're care requirements are very specific and cost a great deal of money to set up for one right. They can be flighty as babies and dangerous as adults. You have to know what to expect and be fully aware you might not be one of the lucky ones to get an iguana that will become social.

Difficult. These are not a beginner lizard. They're care requirements are very specific and cost a great deal of money to set up for one right. They can be flighty as babies and dangerous as adults. You have to know what to expect and be fully aware you might not be one of the lucky ones to get an iguana that will become social.

They can grow to 6'+ and weight up to 25 lbs.

They can grow to 6'+ and weight up to 25 lbs.

Keeping track of your igs growth will help you keep a handle on his health using both svl AND stl...even if the ig doesn't have all of it's tail. An iguana that is beginning to have health issues will slow down in growth. They won't stop, but they will not shed and grow as they would if they were healthy.

Keeping track of your igs growth will help you keep a handle on his health using both svl AND stl...even if the ig doesn't have all of it's tail. An iguana that is beginning to have health issues will slow down in growth. They won't stop, but they will not shed and grow as they would if they were healthy.

For easy measuring, use a string. Starting from the nose...go to the vent and tie a knot, then tie another one at the tip of the tail. Then you can use the measuring tape to get the length from the knotted string.

For easy measuring, use a string. Starting from the nose...go to the vent and tie a knot, then tie another one at the tip of the tail. Then you can use the measuring tape to get the length from the knotted string.

Use a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer w/hygrometer for the best accuracy. You can get these for about $15 - $20 U.S. currency. Once you get the thermometer your goal is meeting the required temperature gradients in three different spots:

Use a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer w/hygrometer for the best accuracy. You can get these for about $15 - $20 U.S. currency. Once you get the thermometer your goal is meeting the required temperature gradients in three different spots:

Without the correct temps, especially the high basking temps...all that good food going in will not get digested properly and organ functions will be trying to run on less than ideal capacity. Nutrients are lost and illness sets in.

Without the correct temps, especially the high basking temps...all that good food going in will not get digested properly and organ functions will be trying to run on less than ideal capacity. Nutrients are lost and illness sets in.

Not all UVB lights are created equal. Some decay very quickly. You need no less than two 4' fluorescent UVB tubes. Short version - UVB helps the ig to process the calcium in their diet. Without the UVB...the calcium does not get absorbed and the result is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and renal failure. The brands to go with:

Not all UVB lights are created equal. Some decay very quickly. You need no less than two 4' fluorescent UVB tubes. Short version - UVB helps the ig to process the calcium in their diet. Without the UVB...the calcium does not get absorbed and the result is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and renal failure. The brands to go with:

Some EXCELLENT sources on UVB at the bottom.

Some EXCELLENT sources on UVB at the bottom.

The core diet is collard greens, turnip greens and mustard greens. If you can find arugula and dandelion greens add them, too. The other items in the guide you should rotated for variety. An excellent visual guide can be found here: http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.htm

The core diet is collard greens, turnip greens and mustard greens. If you can find arugula and dandelion greens add them, too. The other items in the guide you should rotated for variety. An excellent visual guide can be found here: http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.htm

Greens should be cut to no bigger than the size of it's head. Green beans, bell pepper and other thick veggies should be chopped and squashes and parsnips shredded with peel included. Iguanas are obligate herbivores which means - no bugs, chicken, or any other animal product. This leads to an early death by renal failure. Protein is gathered from the plant protein they eat - not animal protein. They're kidneys can't handle the load. A high plant protein food is alfalfa and an excellent addition. Alfalfa powder can be found in many health food stores or you can grind up high quality rabbit pellets sprinkled throughout the salad.

Greens should be cut to no bigger than the size of it's head. Green beans, bell pepper and other thick veggies should be chopped and squashes and parsnips shredded with peel included. Iguanas are obligate herbivores which means - no bugs, chicken, or any other animal product. This leads to an early death by renal failure. Protein is gathered from the plant protein they eat - not animal protein. They're kidneys can't handle the load. A high plant protein food is alfalfa and an excellent addition. Alfalfa powder can be found in many health food stores or you can grind up high quality rabbit pellets sprinkled throughout the salad.

With a balanced and varied diet additional supplementation is often not necessary. However, if you cannot supply the ideal diet due to produce availability, then supplementation is a must. A multivitamin ground up and a calcium supplement (no D3 - herbivores don't need this) are easily found. I use an old coffee grinder and grind up everything separately and put them back in the bottle they came out of and mark it "LIZARD". I sprinkle a very small amount on a pie plate worth of salad. You should not be able to see what you sprinkle on.

With a balanced and varied diet additional supplementation is often not necessary. However, if you cannot supply the ideal diet due to produce availability, then supplementation is a must. A multivitamin ground up and a calcium supplement (no D3 - herbivores don't need this) are easily found. I use an old coffee grinder and grind up everything separately and put them back in the bottle they came out of and mark it "LIZARD". I sprinkle a very small amount on a pie plate worth of salad. You should not be able to see what you sprinkle on.

Not to be confused with humidity. Humidity is external while hydration is internal. Although iguanas don't absorb water the way people do, as a matter of fact they absorb almost nothing, baths and misting only really take care of the shedding. Baths can help with hydration as the head slips below the level of the water and water seeps in through the mouth. A very small amount is also soaked up through the vent (poop chute). Expect the iguana to poop in the water...it's natural and can even be used as an excellent tool for potty training. To help with added hydration mist the salad well. You can also use your misting bottle and see if he/she will drink the squirts. The hydrating foods such as bell peppers will also help.

Not to be confused with humidity. Humidity is external while hydration is internal. Although iguanas don't absorb water the way people do, as a matter of fact they absorb almost nothing, baths and misting only really take care of the shedding. Baths can help with hydration as the head slips below the level of the water and water seeps in through the mouth. A very small amount is also soaked up through the vent (poop chute). Expect the iguana to poop in the water...it's natural and can even be used as an excellent tool for potty training. To help with added hydration mist the salad well. You can also use your misting bottle and see if he/she will drink the squirts. The hydrating foods such as bell peppers will also help.

* http://www.iguanaden.org

* http://www.iguanaden.org

* http://www.anapsid.org

* http://www.anapsid.org

* http://www.greenigsociety.org

* http://www.greenigsociety.org

* http://www.reptileuvinfo.com

* http://www.reptileuvinfo.com

* http://www.uvguide.co.uk

* http://www.uvguide.co.uk

* The Iguana Den's Care and Keeping of Giant Green Iguanas - Meri Martin, Gail Elsey and Diane Remphrey

* The Iguana Den's Care and Keeping of Giant Green Iguanas - Meri Martin, Gail Elsey and Diane Remphrey

* What's Wrong With My Iguana - by John Rossi M.A. D.V.M.

* What's Wrong With My Iguana - by John Rossi M.A. D.V.M.