Green iguana care guide

Remarkable reptiles.
Specialized care.

Support your iguana with thoughtful nutrition, appropriate lighting and warmth, and veterinary care tailored to its needs.

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Length & weightLarge males: up to 6 ft
About 15–20 lb
MaturityAround 2 years
Varies by individual
Life spanOften 10–15 years
CategoryReptiles · Lizards
Meet the green iguana

A tree-dwelling lizard with substantial needs.

This guide covers the green iguana, Iguana iguana. These large herbivorous lizards need a long-term plan for space, daily care, and safe handling.

Iguanas are territorial and should generally be housed individually. Head bobbing, a displayed dewlap, hissing, and tail movements can signal discomfort or a defensive response.

Respect their signals: Avoid forcing interaction. Support the body and limbs during handling, protect yourself from claws and bites, and never restrain an iguana by the tail.
Daily care

Nutrition and habitat

A varied plant-based diet

  • Make appropriate dark leafy greens the foundation of meals, with a variety of suitable vegetables.
  • Examples from EBH’s guide include collard, mustard, and turnip greens, endive, escarole, and squash. Limit fruit and avoid relying on iceberg lettuce.
  • Do not feed meat, insects, dog food, or cat food. Ask the veterinarian about suitable formulated iguana foods.
  • Have the team tailor calcium and vitamin supplementation to age, diet, and lighting. Do not improvise supplement doses.
  • Provide fresh water and remove spoiled food daily.

Space to climb and rest

  • Plan a secure enclosure for adult size, with generous vertical and horizontal space.
  • Provide stable branches and platforms that support your iguana’s weight, plus privacy and shaded retreat areas.
  • Use safe, cleanable flooring. Avoid materials your iguana may swallow and keep feeding surfaces free of substrate.
  • Provide an accessible water container, change it when soiled, and supervise soaking.
  • Monitor humidity with a hygrometer and ask the team to review ventilation and hydration needs.

Heat and UVB work together

EBH’s existing guide recommends a cooler zone around 75–80°F and a basking area around 95–100°F. Have your veterinarian confirm appropriate targets and measurement locations for your setup.

Use reliable thermometers and safe, controlled overhead heating. Prevent direct contact with heat sources and avoid hot rocks, which can cause burns.

Provide reptile-appropriate UVB with a regular day/night cycle. Glass and plastic between the lamp and animal block useful UVB. Lamp type, distance, and screen coverage all affect exposure.

Preventive care

Build a care plan with the team

EBH’s existing portfolio recommends examinations every 6–12 months, annual fecal parasite checks, and blood testing as advised. Discuss reproductive care and whether surgery is appropriate for your individual iguana.

Reproductive and bone health

  • Females can develop eggs without a male. Discuss nesting needs and contact the team for straining, weakness, swelling, or reduced appetite.
  • Poor nutrition or inadequate UVB can contribute to metabolic bone disease. Changes in movement, jaw shape, or limb strength need examination.

Recognize changes early

  • The original guide highlights abscesses, parasites, kidney disease, egg binding, prolapse, and burns.
  • Call about persistent appetite changes, abnormal droppings, wounds, swelling, or unusual behavior.
  • Wash hands after handling reptiles or their equipment, and keep supplies away from food-preparation areas.
Urgent concern? For breathing difficulty, collapse, severe weakness, burns, serious injury, or tissue protruding from the vent, call (904) 256-0043 immediately. Do not wait for an online response. If unavailable, contact an emergency veterinarian that treats reptiles.

General education only; this guide does not replace individualized veterinary advice. Length includes the tail. Size values describe large males, not every iguana; females are generally smaller. Lifespan and maturity vary. Confirm applicable ownership rules before acquiring a green iguana, and never release pets outdoors.

Additional references: VCA: Iguanas · Housing and lighting

Thoughtful care for your iguana.

Request preventive care or call about a change in your reptile’s health.

Request an AppointmentCall (904) 256-0043

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11744 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Fl 32246 PH: (904)256-0043