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I was just wondering if it is normal for a young iguana such as mine (at only a few months old) to start changing to darker colors like brown? Or is this some kind of husbandry issue? eep I hope not

Over the last few days he has been developing strips and his forehead is noticably darker.... I think he has grown an inch or so since I got him (maybe he was stunted because of poor diet, but he has no MBD) and he has put on a visible amount of weight (I don't have a scale though.)

Usually when an iguana turns a darker color it means he is stressed out. Or possibly something else like diet,uvb lighting,or temp. where is your iguana kept? Are there other animals that go near it? Loud noises or a lot of traffic near the enclosure? Also, there might be an internal parrasite. I had one ig that turned brown really quick and lost weight real fast. By the time I got him to the vet he needed antibiotic shots and stayed there for 3 days. Before I went to pick him up he died. All this took place within 2 weeks. You said your ig hasn't lost any weight, but I would keep a close eye on that. Actually I would take him to the vet with a poop sample to be on the safe side. Look through the green iguana society web site and you will find info. on symptoms of many illnesses and reasons for igs turning dark. Do you have pictures of the encloser and set up? Does he have water? What is his diet? If you can post some pics. of set up and iggy. Good luck.

He is kept in a closet, I close the doors at night so he can go to sleep without the light...

Other animals, my dogs go by it occasionally, but the iguana doesn't appear to be threatened by them at all.

Hmm noise might be a problem... but there is no traffic besides me and the occasional other animal... and every few days a family member.

I have had tests done and he checks out fine, so it isn't a parasite...

Actually I am pretty sure he has gained weight, since he has grown, and he is more filled out than he used to be (he had really skinny toes when I got him and they are filled out now)

Sorry I don't have any pics of the setup but I have what the vet reccomended...

Water, no... He never used it, the vet told me not to, and I bathe him frequently and spray him, and the humidity is already very high.

Diet... Mustard and collard greens, and another type of green. And then butternut squash and another vegetable like parsnips, green beans or okra. I also give him a small piece of fruit occasionally.

Here is a web address to a helpful site that I read. I think I sent the link, but I'm not sure. It says in there somewhere if a dog or cat just sit by the cage and stair at an iguana it will stress it out. Is he shedding? What about lighting and heat? Maybe he's lonely in the closet. What kind of loud noises? Anyway good luck.

http://www.anapsid.org/signs.html
Link

Thanks for the link...

As far as the other questions...

Shedding, yep

Lighting and Heat... Undertank heater on all the time, ambient temperature of 80... 18" UVB fixture, this isn't a reccomended brand, I'll replace it immediatly, the doctor was a bit apprehensive on this as well. 75 Watt Basking Bulb... Temps get aroung 95 on basking.

Longely, can iguanas even get lonely? I leave the closet doors open. I spend 1-2 hours a day with him.

As far as noises, just when I play music and stuff it is a little loud

Well I guess I will have to take him to the vet again, he seems perfectly healthy besides turning a little darker. He is active, eating a lot, getting longer, going to the bathroom regularly, enjoying bathing and attention.

If I had to make a guess...I would say he was stressed because of the loud music. Maybe something else also, but loud music isn't good for him.

Ok, I'll keep you posted, thanks for the advice

Well from what I read, sick is dark colors... This is a light brown, does that matter?

Do you happen to have a link with pictures of sick colorations?