Mastering Iguana Care: Exotic Pet Secrets Every Owner Must Know.

Iguanas behave differently from other pets, and not all species are friendly to humans. Keeping an iguana is hard because they are wild reptiles. They come from warm regions such as Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Iguanas spend most of their time in trees, basking in the sun, and only come down to lay eggs. They are strong swimmers and can dive underwater to run away from enemies.

Types of Iguanas

	TYPE	APPEARANCE	BEHAVIOR	ORIGIN
1.	Green Iguana	Green/ common pet/ max 6ft in length	Common pet	Central and Southern America
2.	Desert Iguana	Hard skin (Green, Grey, or Blue) 3-5 ft	Not a common pet	Southwestern US & Northern Mexico
3.	Black Spiny Tailed	Grey, Brown or Black/ max 4ft	Aggressive/ Threatened	Central America & Mexico
4.	Rock Iguana	Hard skin (Green, Grey or Blue) 3-5 ft	Intelligent/ Friendly	Carribean & Bahamas
5.	Chukwalla	Wrinkled Skin (Brown or Grey)/ max 30 inches	Calm/ long life span	America & Mexico Desert area
6.	Fiji Banded	blue-green or turquoise skin/ max 2ft	Shy/ Good Pet	Fiji islands
7.	Cuban Rock	Rugged Skin (Grey or Green)/ max 5ft	Docile/ Territorial	Cuba Rocky areas
8.	Grand Cayman	Bright Blue/ max 5ft	Calm/ Rare	Grand Cayman Island
9.	Spiny Tailed	Rough Texture/ Bright Color	Aggressive/Territorial	Central America & Mexico
10.	Marine Iguana	Dark Color/ Flattened Tail/ max 4ft	Unique/ Marine Lifestyle	Galapagos Islands

Basic Care Needs

Before getting an iguana, you should learn about how they act and what they need. You need special tools before bringing your iguana home and should use them for its whole life. Here are some basic things to think about before making an iguana your pet. Iguanas require ample space to explore, hide, and rest according to their size. Do not use reptile carpets, as they can harbor germs, unless you clean them thoroughly and regularly. Fake grass is a better choice. Since iguanas come from warm climates, keep them in a warm, well-lit environment, especially if you live in a colder area. You can use heaters under the tank or regular light bulbs to keep your iguana warm day and night. Iguanas require UV rays to stay healthy, so ensure they receive adequate sunlight or use UV lights. Since iguanas enjoy living in trees, provide climbing, hiding, and basking structures in their space. Feed your iguana a variety of foods to help it stay healthy and happy. Offer leafy green vegetables, such as collard greens, mustard greens, or dandelion greens, and small amounts of fruit, like cherries, strawberries, or peaches. Feed young iguanas daily; adults can be fed every two days. Offer fresh water each day in a tub large enough for soaking. Keep your iguana’s living area clean by promptly removing spoiled food and dirty water.

Behavior

Spend time with your iguana regularly to help it trust you and feel at ease. It can be challenging to hold your iguana at first, so always do so gently and carefully. Some iguanas may try to climb on people. Be careful, because they have sharp teeth and strong tails that can hurt you. If an iguana’s nail gets caught, it can shed it and grow a new one without harm.

Common Diseases

Respiratory Problems

Kidney Disease

Intestinal Parasites

Metabolic Bone Disease

Pros and Cons

They eat green leafy vegetables and fruits.
They do not drink much water, but humidity helps keep them hydrated.
They wake up when the sun rises.
Iguanas require a great deal of care and specific living conditions to remain healthy. They can also be expensive to maintain.
They need very specific living conditions to live a long and healthy life.
Visits to an exotic animal veterinarian can be expensive.
If your iguana is stubborn, it may take years to train.
Iguanas may attack if they feel threatened.

Conculusion

Many people find keeping an iguana as a pet difficult, but it is possible if you provide the right environment. Before getting an iguana, check your state’s rules on owning exotic pets. If you decide to get one, consider adopting a rescued iguana. Since kidney disease is common in iguanas, it is recommended to keep them in a humid environment with sufficient lighting. For your pet’s health, visit an exotic animal veterinarian regularly, and as needed once you become more experienced.