Is it a good idea to have an iguana as a pet?

Is it a good idea to have an iguana as a pet?

If you an experienced lizard keeper with good knowledge on what it is like to own a pet lizard, an iguana may be the right pet for you. First time pet iguanas 90% of the time is a bad idea, the size, power, space and attention they need is overwhelming for new owners.

How old do iguana lizards live to be?

This is completely unnatural to a lizard so is a must while young. Long living species, an iguana can live to the age of 20 of slightly over, this is a huge commitment and should be thought through carefully before purchasing a pet Iggy.

How old does an iguana have to be to break a bone?

If an iguana does not fancy coming out their vivarium and want to be left alone, they will occasionally warn with a whip of the tail. When under 3 years old, this is only likely to cause bruising, but adults are so powerful they can break a human bone with a tail whip.

How big of an enclosure do you need for an iguana?

Space, you are going to need an abundance of space to house an adult iguana, custom built sizes or a complete bedroom may be required as they need the height and length to move around and exercise. A huge lizard that can grow to 7 feet long is going to need a large enclosure to move around.

How long do wild iguanas usually live for?

Wild iguanas generally live longer and toward to upper ends of this range. Pet iguanas however, live around 9-10 years on average. Some do manage to reach their teens and rarer still into their twenties – yet this is the exception rather than the norm. No pet owner wants to lose their pet after having them for just a few years.

Is it OK to pick up an iguana in the garden?

Most iguanas that come into the garden are domesticated pets that either escaped or were released by lazy owners who no longer wanted to care for them. This does not mean that you can simply go up and pick up the iguana or touch it. Many of these former pets have gone feral and can be dangerous if they feel threatened.

Is the green iguana a prohibited species in Florida?

Green iguanas were added to Florida’s Prohibited species list. Learn how this impacts pet owners and other entities. Green iguanas are large, typically green lizards, though they can sometimes be brown or almost black in color. Some adults can take on an orange or pink coloration during certain times of the year.

Can a dog get rid of an iguana?

Pet dogs will bark at and sometimes chase iguanas, which will eventually drive the iguana out of the garden. Be aware though that large iguanas can hurt your pet, so use caution when deciding if your dog can be out with a wild iguana.