How to Care for a Green Iguana?

Question

I need to know how to care for a Green Iguana. I'm babysitting one for my friend. She will be gone for a month and I don't know what to do. He has an enclosure, a heat lamp with full spectrum lighting, and there is a thermometer. There is substrate on the bottom of the cage and a large water container. How do I care for him?

Answer 1

Your friend should really give you some instructions on this before leaving the iguana in your care!

However, in lieu of those instructions, iguanas need to be fed every day a mixture of fruits and vegetables.  I assume your friend will leave you food, but if not, here is a food chart for your consideration: http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.... Be sure that his lights are turned off at the end of every day so he can sleep, but that there is still a heat source so he does not get too cold during the night.  A heating pad or black light will do (your friend should already have one or both of these).  They will also likely use the bathroom either every day or every other day, and if the iguana is doing this in the enclosure then it needs to be cleaned up ASAP.  Some iguanas are litter trained to go in other places, and if this is the case then you need to be aware of that.  Be careful cleaning the waste, as about 1 in 3 iguanas in captivity carry salmonella and you are at risk for catching it from their f***s.  If you get any one you, definitely wash with anti-bacterial soap.  If you have to handle the animal, be careful as tell-tale scratch marks all over the arms of iguana owners are very common.  It is not that they are mean (although some are), but they do get nervous and struggle or try to hang on.  You can minimize this by wrapping the animal in a towel and picking him up that way or wearing long sleeves and gloves.  You should also know the name & number of whatever vet the animal goes to in case of any emergencies.

Hope this helps & good luck!

Answer 2

OK The Heat Lamp keep it on from 12pm-8pm then turn it of,"DO NOT GET IT OUT"Unless your familiar with it.

Change The Water Every Day

The Temp. Need To Be Around 80-90 Degrees doing the day.And Any were from 65-75 at night

I Hope This Helps.

Good Luck