iguana 
   care sheet
     Iguanas can grow up to six feet in total length. 
     Some young iguanas are bright green, which helps 
     camouflage their bodies in the green leaves of 
     the rainforest. Iguanas come in different color 
     variations such as red or blue.
     facts
     average adult size:    4 to 6 feet long, 
                             depending on species
     average life span:     15+ years 
                             with proper care
     diet:                  herbivore
     Will reach adult size in 2 to 3 years, under ideal conditions; 
     upgrade habitat size as your reptile grows.
     Note: The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for 
     veterinary care. If you need additional information, refer to the 
     Sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate.
     Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.
     iguana                                                care sheet                                                          Developed with and approved 
     includes red, green and blue                                                                                              by a qualified veterinarian.
     iguanas
     diet                                    n Vegetables and fruits not                       house different reptile                   entire body or provide a 
     A well-balanced iguana diet                eaten within 24 hours                          species together.                         shed box, a hide box with 
     consists of:                               should be discarded.                        normal behavior                              sphagnum moss, that 
     n 70% dark leafy greens                 housing                                        n May become tame with                       will aid in the shedding 
        such as collard greens               n Size - Appropriately sized                      daily handling.                           process.
        and spinach; 20% bulk                   and shaped habitat with                                                               n Trim an iguana’s nails as 
        vegetables such as                      secure cover; as the iguana                 n Bob their head as a means                  needed.
        cabbage, carrots and                    grows, a larger habitat will                   of communication.
        broccoli; 10% fruit such                be required. The iguana                     n Males may become                        signs of a
        as mangoes, bananas and                 should be able to freely                       territorial.                           healthy animal
        strawberries.                           turn and move around in                                                               n Active, alert and interested 
     n Iguanas benefit from being               the habitat.                                n Healthy iguanas sneeze to                  in humans
        fed a commercial iguana                                                                rid their bodies of excess 
                                             n Habitat - Provide a hiding                      salt.                                  n Clear eyes 
        diet.                                   area; branches for basking.                                                           n Body and tail are filled out
     feeding                                    Maintain 70 to 90%                          habitat  
     Things to remember when                    humidity by misting as                      maintenance                               n Healthy skin
     feeding your iguana:                       needed every day.                           n Thoroughly clean and                    n Clean vent
     n Fresh, clean, chlorine-free           n Substrate - Use a mulch                         disinfect the habitat 
        water should be available                                                              at least once a week:                  n Nose is free of discharge, 
                                                type such as coconut fiber.                    place iguana in a secure                  aside from their salt 
        at all times.                        n Temperature -                                   habitat; scrub the tank                   excretion
     n If your iguana does not                  Temperature gradient                           and furnishings with a                 n Eats regularly
        naturally take to a pelleted            (100°F for the warm end                        3% bleach solution; rinse 
        commercial diet, moisten                and 80°F for the cool                          thoroughly with water, 
        it with water or mix it with            end). Use an incandescent                      removing all traces of 
        vegetable- or fruit-flavored            light or ceramic heater as                     bleach smell; dry the tank 
        baby food.                              primary heat source.                           and furnishings completely 
     n Feed once a day.                      n Lighting - UVB rays with                        and add clean substrate.
     n Remember, iguanas do                     full spectrum lighting for                  grooming  
        not chew their food,                    10 to 12 hours a day is                     and hygiene
        they swallow it whole;                  required. An incandescent                   n Iguanas regularly shed 
        food should be chopped,                 day bulb can be used                           their skin; ensure humidity 
        shredded or grated into                 for basking area during                        of habitat is at appropriate 
        small edible pieces.                    daylight hours only; can                       level to allow proper 
                                                use a ceramic heater                           shedding. To facilitate 
     n Sprinkle food with calcium               or nocturnal or red                            shedding, bathe in a large 
        supplement daily and a                  incandescent at all hours.                     container that allows the 
        multi-vitamin supplement                                                               iguana to immerse its 
        once or twice a week.                n House adult male iguanas 
                                                separately and do not 
          red flags                                                                              common health issues
          n Weight loss or                    n Labored breathing                              Health Issue      Symptoms or Causes              Suggested Action
             decreased appetite               n Paralysis of limbs                             Kidney disease Weight loss, lethargy,             Seek immediate 
          n Mucus in mouth or                                                                                   swollen abdomen, neck or         veterinary attention.
                                              n Abnormal feces                                                  eyes, and frequent drinking 
             nose                                                                                               or urinating. Main cause is 
                                                                                                                dehydration.
          n Swelling                                                                           Metabolic        Inability to absorb calcium      Consult your 
          n Lethargy                                                                           bone/vitamin     due to insufficient UVB light    veterinarian and 
                                                                                               deficiency       or improper calcium/vitamin  provide ample UVB 
          n Bumps, sores or                                                                                     D. If untreated, can lead to     lighting and proper 
                                                                                                                a disorder characterized by      calcium and vitamin 
             abrasions on skin                                                                                  deformities and softened         supplements.
                                                                                                                bones. Swollen limbs and 
                                                                                                                lethargy.
                                                                                               Respiratory      Labored breathing and            Consult your 
                                                                                               disease          mucus in the mouth or nose.      veterinarian and 
       If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.                                             Can be caused by a habitat       ensure habitat is the 
                                                                                                                that is too cold or damp..       proper temperature.
     shopping list for needed supplies
      q  Appropriately sized habitat
      q  Commercial iguana food
      q  Substrate
      q  Moss
      q  Nail clippers
      q  Styptic powder
      q  Food and water dishes
      q  Climbing décor
      q  Plants
      q  Heat light
      q  Heat fixture
      q  Under-tank heater (optional)
      q  UVB lighting and fixture
      q  Vitamin supplement
      q  Calcium supplement
      q  Thermometer
      q  Humidity gauge
      q  Book about iguanas
      sources
      Ask a store partner about Petco’s selection of books 
      on iguanas and the variety of private brand products 
      available for the care and happiness of your new pet. 
      All private brand products carry a 100% money-back 
      guarantee.
      Because all reptiles are potential carriers of 
      infectious diseases, such as Salmonella, always wash 
      your hands before and after handling your reptile 
      or habitat contents to help prevent the potential 
      spread of disease.
      Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior 
      citizens and people with weakened immune systems 
      should contact their physician before purchasing or 
      caring for reptiles and should consider not having a 
      reptile as a pet.
      Go to cdc.gov/healthypets and petco.com/
      caresheet for more information about small animals 
      and disease.
      This Care Sheet can cover the care needs of other 
      species. Go to petco.com for more information.
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             All rights reserved.         (06/2016)