foods for iguana?

Question

i know iguanas are herbivorous aside from this i know nothing, i just bought my iguana from a little boy, the size is 13 inches, i dont even know if it is a female or a male, the boy told me that it feeds on bugs and small insects, but in internet it says iguanas are herbivores and fruit eaters, i would like to ask what kind of vegetables and fruits should i give to my mo-dino (my iguana's name)

i would like to say thank you have a great day and God bless

Answer 1

Kudos to you for getting the iguana from the little boy and for researching proper diet for Mo-Dino. Iguanas are herbivores. Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Turnip Greens and Dandelion Greens are an excellent "base" for the greens salad. Please refer to :
http://www.iguanaden.org/diet/dendiet.htm
http://www.anapsid.org/mainfood.html
http://www.greenigsociety.org/food.htm
There is also a Yahoo Group that you might want to consider joining:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BabyIguana/
If you look at our webshots page, you will see a folder with food..This is what we feed our 4 iguanas. Good Luck

Answer 2

I've had a small Iguana for a few months now and I've been mixing different vegetables diced small enough for him to swallow whole. I generally try to get some flowers from the wild flower plants growing in my yard and sprinkle the petals on top. Flowers from fruit trees are good too. Right now my pumpkin vines are flowering and he seems to like them. The best way to keep enough vegetables on hand, is to keep some frozen vegetable medley in the freezer. If I don't have anything fresh on hand, the frozen will do just fine. I slice it up and serve partially frozen. He usually doesn't eat right away so i will keep better cold. They really shouldn't have bugs or mice I've been told by a vet specialist. And in the absence of substantial sunlight, he should get some powdered supplement sprinkled over the food.

Answer 3

Diet should be based on leaves such as mustard greens, collards, kale, chard, romaine (only sparingly as a snack as it is not very nutritious) 75%. The other 25% can be fruits and veggies such as grated carrot, cooked yam/sweet potato, strawberry, papaya, mango, banana (also as snack only, kind of a junk food for igs), zuchinis and squashes, jicama.

Also be sure to provide a basking area that gets up to 95-100 oF as well as UV light source (sunlight is best but if unavailable there are commercial bulbs u can use as substitutes) for proper digestion and growth.

Answer 4

No bugs or insects! Go to http://anapsid.org/ for great info on everything an Iggy needs, including the salad recipe. They need a very large enclosure, a heat lamp, a digital thermometer, a UVB light, a soaking/swimming tub, vitamins. They are not easy, but if you provide all the right care they will thrive.

Answer 5

This a website that will help you out.

Green Iguanas: The Basics
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=17&cat=1796&articleid=649

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 6

Here's the guide I use for my bearded dragon.

http://www.blackninjakitty.com/herps/dragons.php

And here is the food chart. I take it with me when I go shopping and get the best greens (on sale) that I can find.

http://www.greenigsociety.org/foodchart.htm

Answer 7

Acorn squash

Good source of fiber. Rind should be discarded. Core and finely chop or shred.
Ca:P 0.9:1 , Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 1.5%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Alfalfa

STAPLE
Apples

Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 0.15%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 84.5%, Fiber: 1.9%

OCCASIONAL
Asparagus

Very good source of protein. Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.38:1 , Pro: 2.3%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.1%

OCCASIONAL
Bananas

Only on occasion. Peels may also be fed, but only if they were organically grown.
Ca:P 0.3:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 75%, Fiber: 2.4%

OCCASIONAL
Beets & beet greens

High in oxalates, so it should only be fed occasionally. Beets should be finely chopped. Greens are best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Stems should be finely chopped or discarded.
Beets: Ca:P 0.4:1 , Pro: 1.6%, Fat: 0.17%, Water: 87%, Fiber: 2.8%
Beet greens: Ca:P 3:1 , Pro: 1.8%, Fat: 0.06%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 3.7%

OCCASIONAL
Bell peppers

Great for adding color and variety. This catagory includes red peppers, green peppers and other bell peppers. Should be cored and then finely chopped or shredded. (Nutritional information based on red peppers, but most other bell peppers are reasonably close to the same.)
Ca:P 0.5:1 , Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2%

GREAT TASTE/COLOR ENHANCER
Blackberries

Great for treats and regular part of fruit content.
Ca:P 1.5:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 5.3%

OCCASIONAL
Bok choy

Also known as or equivalent to Chinese cabbage, bok choi, pak choi, and various other names. High in goitrogens. Cut green portion into large pieces or strips. White portion may be discarded or finely chopped.
Ca:P 2.8:1, Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1%

OCCASIONAL
Broccoli


High in oxalates and goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Cut into very small pieces or shred. Leaves can also be offered.
Ca:P 0.7:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3%

OCCASIONAL
Brussels Sprouts

High in goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 3.3%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 3.8%

OCCASIONAL
Butternut squash

Very good staple vegetable and excellent source of fiber. Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Cabbage

High in goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Finely chop or shred.
Ca:P 2:1 , Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.27%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.3%

OCCASIONAL
Cactus leaves (prickly pear)

High in calcium. Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 2.32:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.5%

STAPLE FRUIT
Cantelope

Should be cored, rinds discarded and finely chopped. Great source of additional water content.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 0.8%

OCCASIONAL
Carrots

Should be peeled and finely shredded. (Carrot tops can be high in oxalates and should only be fed on occasion.)
Ca:P 0.6:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 3%

OCCASIONAL
Cauliflower

High in goitrogens and should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped and shredded.
Ca:P 1:2, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.5%

OCCASIONAL
Celery

Should be very finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 1.6:1 , Pro: 0.75%, Fat: 0.14%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.7%

OCCASIONAL
Chicory greens
(Escarole)

Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 1:0.9, Pro: 1.7%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 4%

STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS)
Collard greens

Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium and somewhat high in goitrogrens. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 14.5:1 , Pro: 2.5%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.6%

STAPLE GREEN
Coriander (cilantro)

Good choice for an occasional green. High in oxalates. Finely chop.
Ca:P 1.4:1 , Pro: 2.1%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.8%

OCCASIONAL
Corn

Extremely low in calcium and high in phosphorus. Use sparingly and only if overall diet is loaded with calcium. Best if finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.03:1 , Pro: 9.4%, Fat: 4.7%, Water: 10.4%

RARELY OR NEVER
Cucumber

Lacks in nutrition, but okay on occasion for additional water and flavor.
Ca:P 0.7:1 , Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.18%, Water: 96%, Fiber: 0.8%

OCCASIONAL
Dahlia

Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.

GREAT TREAT
Dandelion greens

Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Use caution when using wild dandelion greens by making sure no pesticides or other chemicals have been used. Both the flowers and leaves are okay to feed.
Ca:P 2.8:1, Pro: 2.7%, Fat: 0.7%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 3.5%

STAPLE GREEN
Endive

Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 1.86:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.4%

STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS)
Grapes

High in oxalates. Should be crushed or chopped. Adult iguanas can eat whole grapes. Good source for additional water content.
Ca:P 0.8:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.6%, Water: 81%, Fiber: 1%

OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT
Green beans

Also known as snap beans. Good choice for staple vegetable. Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 1:1 , Pro: 1.8%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 3.4%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Hibiscus

Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.

GREAT TREAT
Honeydew melon

Should be cored, rinds discarded and finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 0.5%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 0.6%

OCCASIONAL
Kabocha squash

Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Kale

High in oxalates and goitrogens, so it should only be fed on occassion. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 2.4:1, Pro: 3.3%, Fat: 0.7%, Water: 84%, Fiber: 2%

OCCASIONAL
Kiwi fruit

Should be peeled, seeds removed, and finely chopped or crushed.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.4%

OCCASIONAL
Lentils

Best if cooked and finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.14:1 , Pro: 9%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 67%, Fiber: 22%

OCCASIONAL
Lettuces

Lettuces are very poor in overall nutritional value.
Romaine - Ca:P 0.8:1 , Pro: 1.6%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.7%
Iceberg - Ca:P 1:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 96%, Fiber: 1.4%
Loose leaf - Ca:P 0.4:1 , Pro: 1.3%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9%

RARELY OR NEVER
Mango

Should be peeled, pitted, and finely chopped or crushed.
Ca:P 0.9:1, Pro: 0.5%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 82%, Fiber: 1.8%

STAPLE FRUIT
Mushrooms

Very high in phosphorus and should only be fed on occasion. Should be finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.05:1 , Pro: 2.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 1.2%

OCCASIONAL
Mustard greens

Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium, but somewhat high in goitrogens. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 2.4:1, Pro: 2.7%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.3%

STAPLE GREEN
Nasturtiums

Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.

GREAT TREAT
Okra

Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 1.3:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 3.2%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Papaya

Good source of fiber. Should be peeled, seeds removed and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 4.8:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 89%, Fiber: 1.8%

STAPLE FRUIT
Parsley

Good source of calcium. Finely chop.
Ca:P 2.4:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.8%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 3.3%

OCCASIONAL
Parsnip

Should be peeled and shredded. Very good source of fiber and carbohydrates.
Ca:P 1:2, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 80%, Fiber: 4.9%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Pasta (cooked)

Should be cooked, cooled and chopped. Use pasta made without egg.
Ca:P 0.1:1 , Pro: 5.2%, Fat: 1%, Water: 69%

OCCASIONAL
Peaches

High goitrogens. Should be peeled, pits removed and finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.4:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.09%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 2%

OCCASIONAL
Pears

High in oxalates. Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped.
Ca:P 1:1, Pro: 0.4%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 84%, Fiber: 2.4%

OCCASIONAL
Pumpkin

Rind should be discarded. Core and finely chop or shred.
Ca:P 0.5:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 0.5%

OCCASIONAL
Raspberries

Excellent source of extra fiber content. Should be crushed for smaller iguanas. Larger iguanas can be fed whole rasberries.
Ca:P 1.8:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.6%, Water: 87%, Fiber: 6.8%

OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT
Rice (cooked)

Should be cooked, drained, and cooled.
Ca:P 0.08:1 , Pro: 2.4%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 68%

OCCASIONAL
Rutabaga

Should be peeled and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.8:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 2.5%

OCCASIONAL
Snap peas

Should be finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.1:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.04%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Spaghetti squash

Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9%

OCCASIONAL
Spinach

High in calcium, but very high in oxalates and goitrogens, so it should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped.
Ca:P 2:1, Pro: 2.9%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.7%

OCCASIONAL
Strawberries

High in oxalates and goitrogens. Remove stems and caps and finely chop.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.3%

OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT
Sweet potato

Should be peeled and very finely shredded. Fairly high in phosphorus, so best used as a substitute for other orange veggies occasionally.
Ca:P 0.8:1, Pro: 1.7%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 73%, Fiber: 3%

OCCASIONAL
Swiss chard

Very high in oxalates and should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped.
Ca:P 1.8:1, Pro: 0.2%, Fat: 0.1%

OCCASIONAL
Tomatoes

High in oxalates. Should be finely chopped. Great for adding color to a mixture of food. Can be acidic and some iguanas may not like the taste.
Ca:P 0.2:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.1%

COLOR/TASTE ENHANCER
Turnip greens

Decent choice for greens. Very high in calcium, although somewhat high in goitrogens. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 4.5:1, Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.2%

STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS)
Watercress

Excellent choice for greens and very high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 2:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0%

STAPLE GREEN
Watermelon

Very little nutrition, but an excellent source for additional water content. Remove rinds and cut or crush into small pieces.
Ca:P 0.9:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 0.5%

OCCASIONAL
Whole wheat bread

Very high in phosphorus, but makes for a great treat. A great food to hide and feed liquid medications.
Ca:P 0.3:1 , Pro: 9.7%, Fat: 4.2%, Water: 38%, Fiber: 6.9%

GREAT TREAT
Yellow squash

Should be very finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.57:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9%

OCCASIONAL
Yucca root (Cassava)

Very tough. Should be peeled and finely shredded.
Ca:P 1:1.7, Pro: 1.36%, Fat: 0.28%, Water: 59.7%, Fiber: 1.8%

STAPLE VEGGIE
Zucchini

Should be very finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.47:1, Pro: 1.1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.2%
OCCASIONAL

ca=calcium pro=protein