| Green iguanas are wonderful pets for those who | | | | They are then later consumed as food in native |
| love reptiles and lizards. I won't deceive you by | | | | Spanish areas. They are reported to "taste like |
| saying they are extremely easy to take care of, | | | | chicken." I would not know; as an iguana lover, I |
| because iguanas require more commitment and | | | | could not personally bring myself to taste one. I'll |
| dedication than most other pets. However, they are | | | | take their word for it. |
| wonderful pets if you commit to take care of them | | | | As iguanas grow and mature, they lose the vibrant |
| properly. They are fascinating to observe. Here are | | | | intense color they have as hatchlings. |
| just a few iguana facts you might be interested in. | | | | Attempting to control or stunt an iguana's growth by |
| Iguanas are herbivores. They eat plants, greens, | | | | restricting its enclosure size is cruel and is an old |
| vegetables, and fruits. | | | | wives' tale. It won't work, and you will make the |
| Iguanas have two eyes on each side of their head, | | | | iguana sick and maybe even injured or worse. They |
| and a "parietal" eye on the very top of their head. | | | | need to be able to move around, exercise, bask, |
| Many think that iguanas need Iceberg lettuce as part | | | | hide, etc. |
| of their diet. Iceberg lettuce does not provide | | | | Not all UV lighting is safe to use in your iguana |
| sufficient nutrients for your iguana. Iguanas need dark | | | | enclosure. |
| leafy greens such as romaine, collard and mustard | | | | An iguana does not necessarily know what foods are |
| greens, and watercress. | | | | best for him. Train him early with proper diet and |
| An iguana will reach about 2 feet long nose to end of | | | | nutrition. Remember, they are herbivores. While he |
| tail by the end of its first year. | | | | might take meat from you, it is not good for him. |
| An iguana will typically reach about 3 feet long nose | | | | You can mix fresh veggies, fruits, and leafy greens |
| to end of tail by the end of its second year. | | | | with a commercial iguana food when preparing your |
| Over the years, an iguana will grow to a length of | | | | iguana's meals. |
| about 5 to 6 feet. This sounds big for a pet. Take a | | | | Spinach, along with other foods that contain oxalic |
| look at some iguana pictures; much of this length is | | | | acid and calcium, are not good for your iguana. The |
| accounted for by their tail. It is not quite like having | | | | oxalic acid and calcium combine, creating a compound |
| an alligator or crocodile as a pet. | | | | called calcium oxalate. This compound not only |
| It is generally assumed that iguanas are stupid. They | | | | prevents proper calcium metabolism, but can cause |
| are, actually, smart animals. Not rocket scientists, but | | | | kidney damage or even uremia. |
| they are smart and capable of being trained. | | | | Iguanas are fascinating creatures to study and |
| Iguanas shed their skin periodically throughout their | | | | observe. There are many facts and characteristics |
| adult life. | | | | that set them apart from most other pets. Be sure, |
| Iguanas are arboreal lizards in the wild and live in the | | | | however, before you possess one, to educate |
| tropical trees. | | | | yourself fully on proper care so that you can enjoy |
| Iguanas are raised on farms, then released to "grow." | | | | your pet iguana adventure to its fullest. |