DISTRIBUTION: Mexico south to northern South America 

SIZE: large males up to 7 feet (2.1 meters); average adult size 4 -5 feet (1.2 -1.5 meters.) 

TEMPERAMENT: Most iguanas become very tame, some individuals can be shy or nasty. Adult males should not be kept together. 

HARDINESS: Extremely hardy when properly maintained. Relatively long lived. 

SEXING; Males usually are larger, with longer dorsal spines, larger scales under the tympanum, enlarged femoral pores and males usually are more colorful than the females. Babies and juveniles are almost impossible to sex. 

FOOD: 90 to 95% vegetables such as kale, dark green leaf lettuces, (NEVER FEED ICEBERG LETTUCE!!) collard greens, mustard greens, parsley, broccoli, Italian squash, yellow squash, carrots, yams and green beans. 5 - 10% fruits like bananas, grapes, cantaloupe, and papaya. Baby and juvenile iguanas should have no more than 5% animal proteins in their diet and adults no more than 1%. Cooked chicken or moistened monkey or dog chow may be used. Iguanas should be fed daily. Calcium powder should be added twice a week and vitamin powder once a week. 

HOUSING: A minimum of a 20 gallon (76 liter) vivarium will house a baby. Animals up to 2.5 feet (75cm) require at least a 60 gallon (228 liter) vivarium. Adults will require a large custom built cage or have all or part of a room partitioned off for them. Pine shavings, aspen shavings or orchid bark may all be used as substrate. Landscape with rocks and branches to create basking sites. 

WATER: A bowl of water must be provided at all times. Due to their habit of defecating in water, the bowl should be cleaned as frequently as needed. Daily mistings are a must. 

TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY: Day 80F-90F (27C - 35C) gradient. Night 78F-80F (26C-27C.) Moderate to heavy humidity required. Twice daily misting are helpful as are either a drip system or an aerator stone in the water dish. 

LIGHTING: Unfiltered natural sunlight is the best. A fluorescent full spectrum/UV radiation reptile light can be substituted. 

HEATING: An under tank heater should be used in conjunction with a heat lamp in a reflector. Recommended are red or black light bulbs or a ceramic infrared element. 

GENERAL NOTES: Before obtaining an iguana, realize that these animals do get large and require a fair amount of care. Too many of these animals are improperly cared for, released, given up for adoption or die because what was needed was not carefully thought out.