Green Iguana Facts Sheet

You cannot find something more wonderful than an iguana as a pet but you need to be aware that they require tremendous attention and knowing more about them should help you give them that care and attention.  Some of the facts that you should be aware are as under:

1. They are vegetarians.

You do not have to visit a pet shop and feed your iguana with worms, crickets or any such creatures since iguanas are vegetarians and they are content feeding on greens and vegetables that you can pick from your garden or grocery

2. Iguanas are easy to build a rapport with.

Contrary to some other variety of snakes or lizards, iguanas are friendlier and take to their owners quite easily, to the extent that they are comfortable sleeping next to the owners.  They are so friendly that anybody can hold them and they even allow their masters to dress them as per their choice.

3. Iguanas have a long life.

As human beings, we tend to become attached to our pets and would like them to be with us for a long time.  That is because we invest our time, effort and money in providing them the best of care.  The good news is that iguanas can live up to 20 years and thus outlive other pets like rats, hamsters.

4. Iguanas do not cause allergy

Unlike some other pets with fur or hair, the iguana has none of these and hence is absolutely safe for even an asthmatic to handle and maintain one as a pet.

5. Iguanas can be very useful for your children.

Besides the companionship provided by the iguana as a pet, the iguana also allows for a good learning experience to children when they learn to take care of the reptile and get to know more about its physiology.

The above facts are useful in taking an informed decision to go for an iguana as a pet and how to take care of them.

Iguana Molting

Molting, the process of reconstruction of skin that goes on for life. Usually occurs at 4-6 weeks in the spring, at summer may be more frequent, while in winter and during the mating period  the intervals between moltings are longer. Molting frequency also depends on the age, speed of growth (young iguanas molt themselves frequently and faster than adult specimens, becausethey obviously grow faster), nutrition and health. Older, sexually mature iguanas are molting only few times a year.

Iguanas are, unlike snakes, molting in splits. We know that snakes “undress” the old skin in one part, while iguanas skin molts off in many more pieces.

Start of molting shows whitish coloration on the part of the body, which will be molting. Molting may take up to two weeks (until the entire surface of the skin is not left). Iguanas molt in captivity, it is more difficult than for wild iguanas - molting in the wild is hot, a lot of moisture and rain, many areas on where iguana can scratch and facilitate molt … it is very important to properly fix terrarium and that you maintain an optimal climate (heat, humidity).

When all skin of iguana is removed, take it away carefully! Remove the pieces of skin that is easily separated, but still left on iguana. Never drag the dead skin with force! Only if the skin is easily cut off, than you can remove it, put simply - pull it away, but if you must also use the minimum force then just don’t do it. Eventually the skin will come off itself, so there is no need to rush and potencially hurt your iguana!

Most legvani levijo easily and if you give enough attention to and carefully observe legvana during this period, even if the problems you are going to succeed in a timely manner and quickly resolved. Make sure that you will not be overlooked any old ring of skin around the fingers or the tail, and this caused problems legvanu (and myself)!