Iguanas – Buying and Caring for This Exotic Reptile

The majority of pet owners who decide to purchase iguanas (or various other exotic pets for that matter) rush into the decision without carefully examining the reality of owning such a pet. It’s not surprising. They are over-bred in the U.S. and over-caught in their natural habitat, making them very inexpensive and plentiful at pet stores and reptile swaps. Their price tags range anywhere from $25 to as little as $10. At first glance, they seem like cheap, easy-to-own, and for all intent purposes really “cool” pets.

Think again.

Yes, it’s true that iguanas are amazing pets and great companions that are much more affectionate than they are given credit for. It’s easy to see their appeal, but most pet shoppers who pick them up do little research into how much care these animals need. Here are a few big reasons to sleep on the decision to buy an iguana.

Iguanas require a vast and complicated setup.

Most iguana shoppers pick up their iguana, put it in a cage with a log in it and are surprised when the lizard dies within a month or so. In order for an iguana to survive, you need to recreate its natural tropical environment in your own home.
First, you need to buy lights. You need a UVB ray strip light and a fixture to put it in. The rays from this light simulate the UVB rays from the sun which it needs to process Vitamin C. This light needs to be on 12-14 hours a day to simulate a typical day cycle for the iguana. It also needs a heat light to increase the temperature in the cage and give the iguana a spot to stay warm. There are nocturnal heat lights for sale at pet stores that can stay on during the night without disturbing the lizard’s sleeping cycle.

Also, the iguana’s cage needs to have a designated basking area. An iguana will not digest food unless its body is a certain temperature, so the heat light should be positioned so that there is both a basking spot and place for them to cool off.

Iguanas are NOT cheap.

Sure, the price tag says $10-$25. Not too bad, right? It looks especially nice when compared to the $100 plus price tag on the bearded dragon. Unfortunately, the Iguana itself is the cheapest item you will have to buy.

The UVA and UVB lights mentioned above can be very expensive depending on the size of the cage you are using, and need to be changed periodically. The UVB light requires a separate fixture which is another dip in your wallet.

The cage itself is a recurring expense. While a small ten gallon cage will house a baby iguana, their rapid growth will require you to consistently upgrade in size, wondering how much room in your residence you are willing to surrender to this monstrous Jurassic dinosaur. A full grown male iguana can reach as large as six feet long from its head to the tip of its tail. By the time you have upgraded to a cage big enough to house such a large reptile, you may have spent as much as $500 on cages alone. Clearly, the $15 price tag was a little deceiving.

Iguanas require a lot of care and attention.

While it may seem like they are content to sit on their branch and vegetate, iguanas are very social animals. They enjoy having new territory to conquer, and can get restless if housed in a cage which is too small for their size. It is not unusual for a bored iguana to bob its head at you (a mating or dominance sign) as you walk by its cage.

A non-socialized, Full Grown Iguana Can Be Dangerous.

Iguanas can be sweet, affectionate creatures when tamed and socialized. By spending time with your iguana they will get to know you, and even enjoy being petted and sitting on your shoulder. An untamed iguana, however, can be very dangerous. Their claws can be extremely sharp if not trimmed on a regular basis, and if a full grown iguana is angry or upset enough its bite can put you in the emergency room. Even a whip from its tail can leave a nasty welt. If you are going to have an iguana it is important to set aside a certain amount of time for taming it and getting it used to you and other people. This can be done just by handling the iguana a little bit each day, or taking it out to meet your friends when they come over.

Iguanas are fascinating reptiles and can make amazing pets for the right responsible owner. However, they are not a pet to rush into owning, no matter how great they may seem in the shop window.