Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I might be getting a green iguana from the petstore i work at and i have a couple of questions. The iguana now is about a 2.5 foot to 3 foot male, when they first got it it was with 2 other males which broke it's back, now it looks very healthy and has a fairly good temperament (he's fine with me touching him in the cage but is kinda flighty when i take him out, but I've only attempted to tke him out twice and he's very tame with my boss) anyways, i was wondering if his temperament would be any different when he's older due to his injury, also i was wondering what the appropriate size would be when he's older. I also wanted to know if a 6' highX6'Long by three' wide would be adequate enough for the next 4-5 years or if i should make it 6X8X3. Also if ii took him out for like an hour a day would that be too much or would he need more out of cage time?

Thanks for any help you can give

if you can a 6x8x4 would be the best but the first would probably do if you provide enough out of cage time. as for his temperment, you will definately have fun when hes in his breeding season(*sorry, im being facicious )i will tell you what i tell everyone though. for your first ig i wouldnt suggest getting one that is older and has health issues. you will probably set your self up for dissapointment. i would try to find someone that has more experience with them and find him a home and you would probably be better off with a young healthy ig. but if you really want to take him, i dont know what to tell you about his temperment. it all depends on the iguana. good luck either way.
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"it takes a small person to beat a defenseless animal, and an even smaller person to eat it."

"it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
1.0.0 bearded dragon
1.1.0 green iguana
0.0.1 columbian tegu
1.1.0 knight anole
0.1.0 green anole
0.1.0 asian longtail grass lizard
1.1.0 golden gecko
1.0.0 ball python
0.0.5 oriental firebellied toad
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.0.1 barking treefrog
0.0.1 cuban masked treefrog
0.0.1 gray treefrog
0.1.0 gulf hammock rat snake
0.1.0 eastern kingsnake
0.1.0 siberian husky
1.1.0 ratties
0.1.0 hedgie

I would say 6 x 8 x 4 would be better. check out this link
http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymountain/RMHPages/RMHgreen.htm

Has caging and diet requirements. I agree with herpgirl. I would say start with a juv. iguana. the one at your store may be to much for you to handle. And mating season would really change his temperment. Make sure what ever iguana you get that you have all the right lights for him. HAVE to have UVB rays from a special UV BULB. ( can easily cost 40-60.00) Then can add regualar bulbs for additional heat and basking. Good luck.

Hi, I have owned my male iguana for almost 3 yrs. and let me tell you how difficult they are to take absolute care of them.
I would recommend the book that I live by for all information about anything concerning my iguana. It is called:
GREEN IGUANA: THE ULTIMATE OWNERS MANUAL BY: JAMES W. HATFIELD III.
You have to feed them the correct amount of leafy greens, vegi's and fruits or he can get metabolic bone disease which will kill him. Must have the proper lighting. I believe that the cage length should be triple you iguanas length and the width should be double the iguanas length (from snout to tail) and as high as you can make it, they like to climb.
If you like the iguana to have a good temperment you should talk to your iguana daily. I did not try to just reach in and pick my iguana up, I would just put my hand in the cage far from the iguana and slowly (every minute or so) inch my hand closer to him, until I was able to touch him. I would not try to pick him right up, you have to imagine being so small and this big thing trying to pick you up, he thinks your going to eat him. And they should never be with another iguana, they don't like friends! they fight! the older they are the more calm they become I have found. They can be very costly to take to the vet, and to take perfect care of. If you can't take the time to give him your love and attention, it wouldn't be worth it. I treat my iguana like a baby, lots of love, my kids read books to him and sing him songs. I found that if you talk or sing very gently to them, they enjoy you more. they do not like loud noises. again, the book i refered you to earlier in this letter will answer any and all questions you may have. Hope it works out well for you and I hope that dear adult iguana finds a loving home. Oh, by the way they can get 6 ft. long. and about 15 lbs. just for you to know the size they can reach!
hope this helps
nicole