Giant Iguana
All About the Giant Iguana
A giant iguana can be any one of the species of iguanas who grow to be four to almost seven feet long. These iguanas come from tropical climates and are now one of the most popular reptile pets. While iguana owners maintain that their chosen pet is sweet and does nothing but eat veggies, many people buy a baby iguana with no clue as to how big they grow or how to take care of them.
While this is the fault of the human and not the iguana, the truth is, many places where a giant iguana is not native are now struggling with what to do about the giant iguana. One of these is the State of Florida. Each year thousands of giant iguanas are reproducing twice a year with no natural predators to keep the population in check. Now Florida residents are finding these giants, most of them green iguanas, in their backyards, gardens, pools, parks and even homes.
Being an herbivore or plant-eater, the giant iguana is causing all kinds of damage at flower gardens and resorts, appearing uninvited at weddings, and even knocking on doors in residential neighborhoods. It is understandable why some Florida residents are suddenly down on this giant, but relatively harmless-to-humans reptile. In the fall of 2008, cable news leader CNN did a story on these creatures descending on Boca Raton in large numbers. Among the biggest complainers were condominium builders, who see a giant iguana on the front lawn and in the flowers as a definite negative for prospective condo buyers.
While a six-foot iguana might not look too large outside, it definitely takes up some room inside. While Florida residents, as well as those in Hawaii, Texas and the Virgin Islands are trying to figure out how to get rid of the giant iguana, children are continuing to beg for them as pets. And, many parents and young people have no idea that the little nine-inch lizard they bought and placed in a small 10-gallon fish tank is going to need a room of his own one day.
Many pet stores, trying to jump in on the reptile trade (more than a million a year imported into the U.S.) have employees that also do not know much about the giant iguana they are trying to sell. Responsible pet shops will give a buyer detailed care instructions even if it means they might lose a sale. While it doesn’t have to be terribly elaborate, even a baby green iguana is going to need at least a 29-gallon tank, temperature controlled air--95 degrees for basking and 80-90 degrees at the cool end of the tank.
In addition to a heater with thermostat, a pet iguana also needs two different types of lighting on a timer switch, branches on which to climb, and a fresh daily diet of greens and fruit. Store-bought dry iguana food will not do. Iguanas get most of the water they need for survival from their food and high humidity. That means making sure their home is also moist--90% humidity and that they have fresh water just in case they need it.
A healthy giant iguana is going to live fifteen to twenty years. That means a captive pet iguana is a huge responsibility. It also means the residents of Boca Raton will not be rid of their giant iguana problem any time soon.