The iguana is a species of lizard, which is quite popular among Americans as a pet animal.A number of iguana species are present in the world among which the green iguana is the most common species to be kept as pets. Another member of the iguana family also kept as a pet is a blue iguana, which was an endangered species but is now available. The blue iguana is native to Central America.The iguana is a popular reptile and one of the best-known species of lizards. Iguanas are common as pet animals among people who do not need a clingy friend. These lizards are not as clingy as dogs and cats and mostly stay by themselves in their cage. An important thing to consider when getting an iguana as a pet is the size of this reptile. The green iguana is one of the largest species of lizards reaching as large as seven feet (213.4 cm) in body length. It is a dimorphic animal meaning the male and female species look different, and in this case, are of different sizes. The size of captive iguanas depends on several factors such as age, cage size, adequate supply of UVB light, and habitat structure. Genetics also affects the size of iguanas in some cases.The growth of green iguanas slows down after three years but it will become fully grown by the sixth year. The average weight of male adult iguanas is about 20 lbs (9.07 kg). It can live until it is 20 years old if proper diet, lighting, and habitat are provided.If you enjoyed reading this article, why not also glance through how big are hummingbird eggs? And how do animals hibernate?How big is a fully grown iguana?The green iguana is a large reptile that needs proper food, lighting, and surroundings for its growth. It is the largest of the iguanas and can adapt quite well among humans, though it is typically seen in the wild. These reptiles stay with their owners for a long time due to their long lifespan.A native of South America, the green iguana is bred in captivity by a lot of people. Wild iguanas have an average lifespan of 20 years but it is difficult to keep them alive for as long as pets. It needs proper care and maintenance. It is often seen that green iguanas die within their first year in captivity due to improper feeding and lighting. A baby iguana has to be looked after carefully with diligence. A full-grown green iguana’s length lies in the range of 5-7 ft (152.4-213.4 cm) long when measured snout to vent (SVL). Adult iguanas weigh as much as 20 lbs (9.07 kg) when fully grown. Their growth, however, slows down after six years. A healthy diet and a proper enclosure setup are necessary for the health and growth of the iguana.When you see the size of iguanas on the internet, you may see two specific terms being used. SVL as you already know is the snout to vent length, while another term is the STL or snout to tail length. An interesting fact about the green iguana is that the females are smaller in size when compared to males. The size is greatly affected by the surroundings as the lizard needs UV lamps and humidifiers for its growth and well-being. Your iguana may halt its growth for many months and you may think it is full-grown now. But this is just to confuse you and you will see it begins growing again and continues to do so for more than a year.Does captivity affect an iguana’s size?The size of iguanas does not depend on their cage size but the enclosure has to be large enough for the reptile to roam freely. Small size cages are dangerous for the green iguana as it might get injured trying to get out of the small space. Ideally, a large room should be provided for mature adults.The least possible height for a green iguana enclosure is 6 ft (1.8 m). A general rule to keep in mind is that the size of the cage must be at least twice the iguana’s length. A large cage is better as the green iguana will be able to roam freely inside it without any hindrances on its path. Your pet can injure itself in a small cage by rubbing its nose or claws along the sides trying to move out.You might keep the iguana in a small cage until it is two years old and afterward replace it with a larger cage for the rest of its lifespan. It has been observed that a switch to a larger cage benefits the growth of the iguana. A smaller cage can lead to obesity. Green iguanas kept in small spaces might experience severe stress leading them to chew on their tail or legs. The wounds can get infected very fast.The habitat inside the iguana’s cage should be filled with branches of trees and driftwood. This is vital as an iguana likes to climb and it keeps its muscles strong. In the wild, the lizard is seen climbing trees but in a closed space, it depends on its owners. Another reason for keeping branches is that the iguana spends a healthy portion of the day basking on branches. An ideal enclosure for an iguana is one where it has the option to climb and walk as it pleases.What factors affect the size of an iguana?The size and health of an iguana depend on several factors ranging from its age, gender, and diet to its surrounding environment. Humidity and temperature are typically two important factors for an iguana to grow in a healthy manner. Its menu should be plant-based only, with no intake of any animal protein.A baby iguana can weigh less than one pound after birth measuring only about 8 in (20.3 cm) while an adult female iguana can grow up to 5 ft (152.4 cm) in length and weighing 15 lb (6.8 kg). The males are larger and heavier than their female counterparts and more aggressive. When threatened, the iguana is very much capable of injuring its owners by lashing out with its tail or biting. With age, the size increases. It can grow rapidly until it is three years old and then slow down considerably. After the age of seven, the growth comes to a halt in most cases.All iguanas are vegetarians and their menu requires a highly specialized diet enriched with vitamins. Even if the pet store owner tells you that you can feed insects or animal protein to the iguana, do not! It cannot digest this menu and this negatively impacts it by shortening its lifespan by several years. Feed your iguana vegetables with high protein content. This will help it grow. It requires lots of water and you can keep a water bowl inside the cage. Do not include food that has rich oxalic acid as this will interfere with its mineral and vitamin absorption. Sprinkle calcium and vitamin D3 in minute quantities on the iguana’s menu. The size is affected to some extent by an unhealthy diet.Green iguanas need proper heat and humidity. An important thing to remember is to provide a humid environment to your pet. This helps in its shedding process and keeps it hydrated. The humidity should be kept at around 70%. You can use a spray bottle (available at any local store) to spray water on the body of the iguana and the habitat. You can give a bath to your iguana with warm water. This will help it to grow and become accustomed to its surroundings.It cannot be stressed enough that lighting is really essential for the life and growth of iguanas in captivity. It needs adequate UVB and UVA light. UVA is a component of sunlight and thus stimulates its natural habitat to some extent. UVB is required by iguanas for the metabolism of calcium and the manufacturing of vitamin D3. It is a common sight to see an iguana suffering from MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) due to lack of UV lighting. MBD results in weak bones and can be fatal. If you can keep the iguana in the sunlight for some hours each day, it will be really helpful for the growth of its body and its health.What is the size difference between different iguana types?The body length of an iguana can be a few inches to several feet long depending on the species. The males and females of some of these reptiles grow differently while the size and weight also depend on their health and the iguana diet.Green iguanas are preferred as pets in the United States due to their colorful body and their ability to morph into colors like blue, albino, and red. These are large reptiles weighing several pounds and grow to huge sizes as much as 7 ft (213.36 cm). The body length of the females is smaller as is their weight. The blue iguana was an endangered species but in recent years you can buy them at a high price of about $1,000. These can grow up to 5 ft (152.4 cm) weighing 30 lb (13.6 kg) on average.If you want a smaller pet, you might opt for the desert iguana which can grow to 16 in (40 cm). The tail is much longer than its body. You can even pet the spiny-tailed iguana which is as small as 10 in (25.4 cm) in including the tail and body length.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how big do iguanas get? Then why not take a look at how big do hermit crabs get, or how do dolphins sleep?
The iguana is a species of lizard, which is quite popular among Americans as a pet animal.
