What To Look For In A Healthy Green Iguana – Part 3

This is the third installment on characteristics to look for In a healthy green Iguana. The first part I covered mainly the eyes and nose of green iguana. The second part, is a continuation on facial characteristics of green iguana which I touched on its mouth, jaw, and vent.

Physical Body Traits Of Green Iguana

Skin: An iguana’s skin should be bright and tight without any bagginess. Loose skin is a sign that it is not eating enough and not eating well. The skin of a young iguana should be bright green. As the animal gets older, the green gradually becomes more muted with the addition of some brown, blue, or gray patterns. Adult male iguanas also turn into various shades of orange on their arms, legs, and heads during breeding season.

Do not choose a green iguana that has dark or black skin, this is an indication of a sick iguana. Some iguanas have ticks on their skin. This is not a reason to reject the animal. Ticks are easily removed with the right tick removal product and by no mean is a sign of sickness. Also, it’s very normal for the iguana’s skin to look like it’s coming off or to see thin sheets of torn skin. Thin, torn skin coming off its body means that it’s shedding, which is a healthy, natural occurrence that will take place throughout his life.

Stomach: Its stomach should not look thin. A thin iguana is not a healthy pet. One that has recently eaten will show a big, happy belly. If you see them eating at the store or current owner’s house, that means they do not have an eating problem and will most likely remain that way when you take it home.

Legs: Healthy iguanas have rounded legs. However, the legs shouldn’t look swollen or fat. Iguanas with fat-looking legs may be suffering from calcium deficiency. Another sign of this illness is when the back or spine is twisted or distorted.

Tail: A healthy iguana tail looks thick, fat, and plump at the base (the area where the tail attaches to the body). There should not be any visible bones in the tail or the body. A fat tail is a sign that the iguana eating regularly.

Temperament Of Green Iguanas

Disposition: When picked up, a healthy iguana should display a bit of feisty behavior or may squirm and try to get away. They may even try to bite you or whip its tail. This is normal. These are wild animals and it is their natural instinct to try to get away to protect themselves. Unless it’s been tamed, if it’s too relaxed or too calm on your hand, it might be sick!