Pet Critique

Hi there, pet lovers! 🦎

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), one of the most iconic reptiles in the pet world. Despite their widespread popularity and striking appearance, these large lizards are often misunderstood and can be among the most challenging reptiles to care for. Whether you’re considering rescuing one or just curious about what makes them so polarizing, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Green Iguanas in this review.

Ease of Handling: 1/5

Handling a Green Iguana is not for the faint-hearted. These reptiles are infamous for their defensive behaviors and, at times, outright aggression. Even individuals that appear tame can have sudden mood swings, especially as they reach maturity.

Green Iguanas possess a suite of defensive “weapons.” Their tails, sharp claws, and powerful jaws are all capable of causing significant injury, including deep cuts and even broken skin that might require stitches. Mature males are particularly territorial, and their bites—often accompanied by a violent “death roll”—can result in severe damage, including the loss of fingers.

While some individuals may tolerate handling, their unpredictable nature makes them a risky choice for most people. Even if you’re fortunate enough to have a calm Green Iguana, there’s always the possibility they may change their temperament without warning. For most potential keepers, the risks far outweigh the rewards.

Care and Maintenance: 3/5

Caring for a Green Iguana is a serious commitment. These reptiles require enormous enclosures to accommodate their size—mature adults can grow over six feet long. Ideally, enclosures should be tall, wide, and provide plenty of vertical space for climbing. Additionally, keeping the enclosure clean can be difficult, especially if your iguana doesn’t allow you to approach it.

Humidity is crucial for Green Iguanas, and you’ll need to maintain consistent levels to support their health. Providing a soaking area is important, as is ensuring the enclosure is properly heated and equipped with high-quality UVB lighting. Multiple heat and UVB sources may be necessary to adequately cover their living space, which can lead to significant costs.

Feeding a Green Iguana is also a long-term investment. Adults primarily consume leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, such as collard greens, mustard greens, and the occasional treat like berries. A proper diet also requires calcium and vitamin supplements to prevent deficiencies. Juveniles may eat insects, but their diet transitions almost entirely to vegetation as they age.

Health and Durability: 4/5

When it comes to health, Green Iguanas are relatively hardy reptiles. Many are farm-raised, and while they may arrive with minor health issues such as parasites or mild dehydration, they can thrive with proper care. Once acclimated, Green Iguanas generally have good health resilience, provided their enclosure meets all necessary requirements.

It’s worth noting, however, that stress, poor husbandry, or inadequate diet can lead to health problems over time. Proper research and preparation are essential to avoid these issues.

Availability: 3/5

Green Iguanas are readily available and often sold as inexpensive imports, making them one of the most accessible large reptiles. Unfortunately, this widespread availability has contributed to their popularity as impulse purchases, often by people unprepared for their long-term care requirements.

Captive-bred individuals are harder to find and more expensive, but they may be healthier and better suited to captivity. Morphs, such as blue or albino variations, are occasionally available but are significantly more costly than standard Green Iguanas.

Initial Cost: 2/5

While the cost of purchasing a Green Iguana is often low—sometimes as little as $20—the real expenses come from setting up their enclosure and maintaining their care. Building or purchasing a properly sized enclosure can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Lighting, heating, and humidity control equipment further add to these costs.

If you’re housing the iguana indoors, you’ll likely need to build a custom enclosure, as few commercially available options are large enough. Outdoor housing can be a more affordable option for those in warm climates, but it’s not viable for everyone.

Final Thoughts: 2.6/5

The Green Iguana is a captivating reptile with a commanding presence, but it is far from an ideal pet for most people. Between their challenging personalities, large space requirements, and potential for injury, they demand an extraordinary level of commitment and expertise.

For those willing to take on the responsibility of rescuing one, Green Iguanas can be rewarding in their own way, but this requires sacrificing personal convenience for the animal’s well-being. If you’re looking for a large, manageable lizard with a better temperament, other species like Cuban Rock Iguanas or Rhinoceros Iguanas are worth exploring.

While they may be beautiful and iconic reptiles, their temperament and care requirements make them unsuitable for the vast majority of pet keepers.

What do you think about Green Iguanas? Have you ever kept one? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your experiences! 🦎