my iguana is turning a dark color what should i do?

Question

he is still small and im worried because i had a nother one ig and it died and turn a darker color but its close plz tall me whats wrong

Answer 1

I have owned my iguana for 12 years now. It's normal. Usually they do this when they are getting ready to shed. They can also be dark when they are displaying a level of discontent. Mine was turning dark a lot and I realized it was because my cat was harrassing it through it's cage. Now that they are seperated, he isn't so dark anymore, but they also darken with age. Mine was BRIGHT GREEN when I got him but as he got older his coloring became darker. I would just suggest giving him a variety of foods, they like brightly colored foods, don't just rely on the Iguana food they sell you in the stores, or just lettuce. Lettuce doesn't have enough vitamins and nutrients in it to sustain them. Mine likes fruit cocktail, strawberries, cataloupe, grapes, spinach, romaine, and banana to name a few things, as well as using the cereal type food that you can buy at the store.

Answer 2

Most of the time it means they are getting ready to shed. It could also mean that he's too cold. What kind of heat lamp do you have for him. You have to have one, they require a UVB heat lamp and no other. Do not use heat rocks, I repeat, Do not use heat rocks. Iguanas are designed to receive their heat from above, not below. They don't have a lot of feeling on their bottom side so they can be burned from a heat rock and not even know it. These are the two main reasons an iguana will get darker in color. I'll give you some more advice. What are you feeding him? They require a mixture of greens, along with some occasional fruits. The greens can be narrowed down to collard greens, kale greens, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, etc. I usually slice up some italian squash and cucumber when I feed mine also. You should also think about shredding up a carrot for every meal also. Stay away from lettuce, iceburg lettuce, or prepackaged salads. These have no nutritional value whatsoever and therefore are not good for iguanas at all. If yours does happen to live to be a year old, then you should think about making a bigger cage for him(note that I said cage, not terrarium or tank). This should be no smaller than 6 feet by 6 feet by 3 feet. Or just let him free roam in a room or the house and make sure he can get to his heat lamp so he can bask. The heat lamp should be set on a timer so it will be on for at least 12 hours. Iguanas are diurnal, which means they sleep when the sun goes down. Having the light turn on at 7am and turn off at 7pm is usually the best. And keep him humidified. Go get a spray bottle and spray every inch of his body down once or twice a day. I can't believe you are on your second iguana and you don't know anything about them. I thought for sure you would have learned your lesson from the first one and done some research before getting another one. Iguanas are not for beginners, they require a lot of attention and time. Captive iguanas should live 15-20 years if taken care of properly. If you don't think you can handle these things for that long, then you should get rid of him now. For the iguana's sake, not yours. Good luck.

Owner of a 4 year old, 6 foot long, male green iguana.

Answer 3

It is not hot enough. Temperatures 0f 32+ degrees Celsius are vital. Alternatively ask your vet if he is sick. A good vet is neccesary(and no complaints abt money!if you value money above your lizard you should have left him in the store). Iguanas need high temperature to digest their food. Get a cage thermometer if you don't have one.
This is not normal and is very serious
Hope he gets well soon.

Answer 4

your ig is most likely cold or stressed. What do you feed it. DO NOT FEED IT LETTUCE, or a lot of fruit!! Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, summer squash, green pepper, etc. Make sure he/she has a wide variety of veggies, fruit only a couple times a week, it is mainly for a treat. Check the temps, make sure he/she is nice and warm, make sure he/she has humidity, uvb, and a place to hide in his habitat. Small igs need to be able to hide from things that are stressing them out or scaring them. The youngest of my 3 igs has carpet in his cage, he hides underneath it.

Answer 5

I don't really know whats the matter. But I don't think its to serious.
If your worrying to much then I would suggest looking it up on the Internet. Or if you have money, take him to the vet for a check up.
But I believe personally that he will be just fine.
Good luck!

Answer 6

sometimes when they are starting the shedding process they will turn darker. do you have him in a terrianium? is he warm enough? is he gettin his veggies? and most importantly go to the book store and get the book Iguana's for dummies i had that book and it was invalueable in all the stuff that it has in it.

Answer 7

nicely maximum eco-friendly iguanas substitute coloration as they mature especially men as long using fact the temp is approximately 80 5-ninety tiers background with a baskin temp one hundred ten-one hundred twenty you are able to desire to be superb no warmth rocks exterior pads are extra helpful and actual controlled with thermasat, yet i wouldnt hardship if hes energetic and ingesting make effective hes getting his supplements too especially calcium its needed to his well being and nutritional needs aslo do you have an UVB/UVA bulb cuz he cant good use his supplements with out one. one extra element perhaps you are able to desire to take him to a qualified vet to make effective his kidneys are ok cuz ive considered alot of igeez with kidney stones or failures becuase of them!!

Answer 8

HE MIGHT BE GOING THEW A MAJOR PEEL OR HE HAS IN INFECTION IN HIM. IF SEMMS SICK TAKE TO REPTILE VET AND GET A CHECKUP.

Answer 9

i've had two i think its normal