Green Iguana

Green iguanas originate from Central America to tropical parts of South America and eastern Caribbean islands. As hatchlings, they start as 2-3 inches long and weigh about 4 ounces. Juveniles reach up to 14 inches long and weigh in a pound and a half. Male green iguanas can grow over 5 feet in length and weigh about 17 pounds. Females can reach five feet in length but usually do not exceed 7 pounds. 

Care:

With the lengthy size of their tails, they need a minimum of 4ft x 6tt x 6ft. As the iguana gets bigger, they require a custom size tank to fit and crawl around. This tank should be 12ft long by 8ft high. 

UVB lighting is essential for iguanas to process calcium in captivity. 

They need a basking temperature of 120 degrees fahrenheit, and a cool side between 78-85 degrees fahrenheit. 

Nighttime temperatures should be no lower than 75 degrees.

The humidity levels need to be between 60-80 percent. 

Making a bioactive enclosure will give a naturalistic feel for the iguana. This can be done by mixing coco fiber, soil, large bark chips, moss, and leaf litter mix. This will also hold the humidity levels as well. 

Iguanas are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. They mostly feed entirely off of leaves with some fruits and flowers. 

Handling:

Practicing handling at a young age can help them become calm and docile. However, they may exhibit defensive behaviors such as hissing, biting, clawing, tail whipping, and stiffening. 

Place hands on their bellies, protecting all limbs. Their tails should be facing toward the ground.