Keeping Iguanas as Pets

Having iguanas as pets takes a good deal of knowledge. That tiny animal at the pet store can grow to be seven feet long. Iguanas are generally tame, but they can bite and they whip their tails in defense; both can cause injury. Before you bring one of these animals home, make sure you're ready to take on the challenges of iguana care.

Creating a Habitat
Iguanas can't roam loose in your home. They'll get into places they shouldn't be, and they may act defensively if you try to get them out. You'll need a tank and you'll need to make sure it's escape-proof. Iguanas are clever and will find a way to break free from a poorly secured habitat.

You'll need a space large enough for a cage or tank that is at least six feet long and six feet wide for a young iguana. As it grows, you'll need a larger habitat that offers 12 square feet of space. When fed properly, an iguana will grow to six to seven feet in length, about a third of this length the tail, within three to five years.

Iguanas require a temperature of about 95 degrees Fahrenheit to digest their food properly. The rest of the cage should be about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the entire cage is kept at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the iguana may become stressed. The iguana will also require ultraviolet lighting to prevent metabolic bone disease. Ultraviolet rays help metabolize the calcium in the iguana's diet. A heated cage with a UV lamp in one corner, preferably placed over some rocks for basking, is ideal. Pet shops that specialize in lizards should stock these iguana supplies.

Handling
You need to spend time every day with your iguana. It needs attention to remain tame. With regular handling and attention, the iguana will get used to people and won't act defensively when it's petted or handled. Without that attention, claws, teeth and the animal's spiked tail all become threats. Even a tame iguana may lash out if it's injured, stressed or scared. Take your cues from the animal's behavior and always handle it gently. It's best to get young iguanas and get them used to handling from an early age.

Iguanas can live up to 20 years, though the average lifespan is 10 to 15 years. You must be able to provide for the iguana for this length of time. You cannot simply let an iguana loose in the wild when you get tired of caring for it. It's particularly difficult to find new homes for older, larger iguanas.

Feeding
An iguana is a strict vegetarian. Most of an iguana's diet is leafy greens. They don't eat insects and don't need animal protein to survive. Most commercial pet foods contain animal proteins, so they're not appropriate for an iguana.

Rhubarb should never be fed, because it's toxic to iguanas. Lettuce should also be avoided, because it's low in nutrients. You can offer it as a treat from time to time, but it shouldn't be the basis of your pet's diet.

The best foods for an iguana are collard greens, mustard greens, watercress and turnip greens. Green vegetables, squash, bell peppers, melons, apples, bananas, raspberries and strawberries should also be a regular part of your iguana's diet.

Feed the iguana daily until it stops eating, then remove any uneaten food so that it doesn't decay in the cage. You can pile the food on a rock or put it in a shallow bowl. Be sure to choose a bowl that won't tip over and hurt your pet.

Fresh water should also be supplied daily in a shallow, sturdy bowl. Iguanas don't drink much, as they get much of their water from their diet. They should be encouraged to drink, however, as this helps their overall health. Try dropping a few small pieces of a favorite food into the center of the water dish. Your iguana will drink while it eats the food.