Green iguana (Iguana iguana)

Short answers

Green iguana: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A dedicated room or room-sized enclosure — at least 300×200×200 cm for an adult animal; per the BMEL expert report, at least 4 × 3 × 5 times snout–vent length, with height capped at 2.0 m.

Green iguana: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C with a gradient (cooler zone not below 24 °C), basking spot 40–45 °C basking spot, at night 22–24 °C.

Green iguana: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential: UV index 3–4 at the basking spot (UVB output 5–10%), plus UVA; replace tubes annually.

Green iguana: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–20 years.

Green iguana: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Intermediate to expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C with a gradient (cooler zone not below 24 °C)

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C basking spot

Humidity

day 60–80 %, higher at night (up to ~90 %)

UVB

Essential: UV index 3–4 at the basking spot (UVB output 5–10%), plus UVA; replace tubes annually

Enclosure

Minimum size

a dedicated room or room-sized enclosure — at least 300×200×200 cm for an adult animal; per the BMEL expert report, at least 4 × 3 × 5 times snout–vent length, with height capped at 2.0 m

Substrate

Moisture-retaining; stable climbing branches, a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Purely plant-based (leaves, vegetables, herbs) – herbivorous!

Feeding interval

fresh green food daily

Key facts

Adult size

1.5–2.2 m total length (males; females usually stay under 1.5 m), snout–vent length 40–50 cm

Life expectancy

12–20 years

Origin

Central and South America (tropical)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – registration required, proof of origin needed

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing; males are very territorial and aggressive (especially in the breeding season). The reason: several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually get along, but each needs its own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

It grows very large and powerful, is strictly plant-eating (no animal protein!) and needs a whole room. A frequent mistaken purchase – not one for beginners.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima) – Expert
• Anegada ground iguana (Cyclura pinguis) – Expert
• Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) – Expert
• Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) – Intermediate
• Cape spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha) – Intermediate
• Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) – Expert
• Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura palearis) – Expert
• Helmeted iguana (Corytophanes cristatus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Green iguana (Iguana iguana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a dedicated room or room-sized enclosure — at least 300×200×200 cm for an adult animal; per the BMEL expert report, at least 4 × 3 × 5 times snout–vent length, with height capped at 2.0 m), substrate (Moisture-retaining; stable climbing branches, a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.