Green Iguana

For more pictures, click Green Iguana Pictures
 

• Iguana iguana

• Iguanas are certainly one of the most popular lizards to be kept as pets (probably one of the world's most popular pet reptiles)
• Easy to keep as long as large area is provided

• Found from Central to South America, including Brazil, Mexico to Paraguay

• Iguanas are one of the more recent "fad" pets, becoming readily available in many pet stores, often at very low prices. These are young iguanas that don't seem to be too difficult to care for, a myth often perpetuated by retailers hoping to sell them. Of course, they are very cute too! But, as with all reptiles, iguanas have fairly strict feeding and housing requirements.
  

• And they grow, often very large (if they survive) and they can be difficult to tame and become aggressive. This is not to say that iguanas cannot make good pets - but they need the proper care right from the start, and owners need to have the right expectations.

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• Male: approx. 6' (SVL 1' 8")
• Female: approx. 4' (SVL 1' 2")
• These iguana are weighted around 15 - 30 lbs.

• 15 - 20 years

• Herbivorous (plant-eating)
• Hatchlings and young iguana may eat worms and insects
• Adults should be only fed with greens.

• Rainforests, usually where near to river banks
• A large water bowl should be provided for soaking, not for drinking as Green iguana would never drink by its mouth.
  
• It would absorb enough water from the environment and water spray.

• It has been found that many reptiles carry Salmonella, meaning it is present in the digestive tract without causing disease. Following common sense hygiene practices when handling iguanas should prevent problems, but if there are young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised people or elderly persons in contact with the iguana, extra care will have to be taken to prevent Salmonella infections.