The Social and Intelligent Iguana

What is an Iguana?

Iguanas are large, green reptiles that hail from the tropical forests of Central and South America. These herbivorous, arboreal reptiles are related to the more familiar Komodo dragon, as well as the iguana found in the pet store. They are a type of tropical American lizard with a long tail that is generally kept as a pet. The average lifespan of an iguana is 15-20 years, but there are stories of them living upwards of 40 years as well. Iguanas are often kept as exotic pets in the United States because of their low maintenance requirements and relatively short life spans. They are generally regarded as more of a starter reptile than snakes or other reptiles and are a great choice for those who have never kept reptiles before.

Iguana Care and Requirements

If you’re interested in keeping an iguana as a pet, you’ll need to make sure that you provide a living space that allows it to thrive. Iguanas are very specific when it comes to their housing needs, and you’ll need to make sure that you have the right setup for your lizard.

- Temperature: Iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, which means that their body temperature is dependent on their surroundings. They need a warm, humid environment to thrive, and ideally, the temperature should be between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a warm climate, you can keep the iguana outside, otherwise, you’ll need to provide a heated indoor habitat for your pet.

- Humidity: Iguanas require a very humid environment, and ideally, the humidity should be around 80% all the time. Keeping a moisture-retaining material like peat moss in the iguana’s enclosure can help keep the humidity at a high level.

- Diet: Iguanas are herbivores, and they require a diet that is high in fiber and low in protein. A healthy diet for an iguana includes greens and vegetables, as well as fruit and some high-fiber leafy plants.

Where to Buy an Iguana

If you’ve decided to keep an iguana as a pet, you should buy one from a reputable pet store or breeder. You should avoid buying a lizard from a person selling it on the street, as there is no way of knowing if the animal is healthy. Visit a reputable pet store near you to find a healthy iguana that has been bred in a controlled environment. Before you buy an iguana, you should make sure that the store has proper hygiene standards, and that the lizards have plenty of space and are being properly cared for. A healthy iguana will have clean, un-matted scales and clear eyes, and ideally, it will be shedding. If you’re buying an iguana as a gift for someone else, you should make sure that the recipient is aware of the care requirements, or you may find yourself stuck taking care of the lizard!

How to Take Care of an Iguana

When you take care of an iguana, you’ll want to make sure that you follow the specific temperature and humidity requirements. You’ll also need to be careful about how you handle your pet, as they can be prone to stress injuries when handled improperly.

Feeding an Iguana

For the most part, iguanas are very low maintenance when it comes to feeding. You can feed your iguana a wide variety of greens and vegetables, as well as some fruit every day. Ideally, you should feed your iguana pre-mixed balanced reptile food once or twice a week. You should avoid serving your iguana dog or cat food, as these products are not balanced for a tropical American reptile. You should also make sure that you are feeding your iguana the right amount. If you feed it too much, it may become overweight, and if you feed it too little, it may become malnourished. If you are unsure of how much to feed your iguana, speak with a veterinarian.

Conclusion

An iguana makes a great pet for someone who likes reptiles but is new to the world of exotic pets. These large lizards are very sociable and can make great house pets, provided you provide them with the proper care. When you take care of an iguana, you’ll need to make sure that you are providing it with the right temperature and humidity, and that you are feeding it a healthy diet. If you’re interested in keeping an iguana as a pet, you can buy one from a reputable pet store or breeder, or adopt one from a rescue organization.