Lizards
Green iguana care guide
Iguana iguana
A large (5–6 ft) herbivorous climber. Adults need a room-sized or custom enclosure, not a tank.
Arboreal — vertical height first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Green iguana enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult green iguana should live in at least 72" L × 36" W × 72" H; we build toward 96" L × 48" W × 72" H (8 × 4 × 6 ft, roughly 32 sq ft of floor and about a 1436-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 96" L × 48" W × 72" H recommended · min 72" L × 36" W × 72" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 95–100°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–90°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Night
- No lower than 70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–80%. Large soaking tub, misting and moisture-holding substrate.
Substrate and depth
Soil/coco mix or bioactive. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Fully herbivorous: dark leafy greens (collard, mustard, turnip greens), squash and some fruit, dusted with calcium. No animal protein.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Green iguana FAQ
How big should an adult Green iguana enclosure be?
At least 72" L × 36" W × 72" H, and we recommend building to 96" L × 48" W × 72" H — about 8 × 4 × 6 ft, or a 1436-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Green iguana need?
Basking or warm surface 95–100°F basking spot, warm side 85–90°F, cool side 75–80°F, night No lower than 70°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Green iguana need UVB?
Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Green iguana need?
60–80%. Large soaking tub, misting and moisture-holding substrate.
What substrate is best for a Green iguana?
Soil/coco mix or bioactive, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Green iguana enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 30" L × 12" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own green iguana record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.