Green Iguana Diets: What To Feed Your Green Iguana (2019)

I always get questions on iguana nutrition, so hopefully this video helps you guys out!
Disclaimer - Remember that everyday we are learning and discovering new information. This video was filmed in 2019, so feel free to use this video as a base to get you started, but always continue to learn and research so you are up to date with changing information and continuing to learn!
Upon further investigation - I NO LONGER RECOMMEND HERPTIVITE! They use beta carotine instead of/and not including actual Vitamin A. Your multivitamin can contain beta carotine, but it needs to also have vitamin A. For this reason, I have thrown away my Herptivite and will only be using Reptivite from Zoomed.
Link to my blog post with outside links - zareptiles.blo...
◦•●◉✿ 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 ✿◉●•◦
[e-mail]
Merch - za-reptiles.my...
Shop my amazon favorites in my amazon storefront!
www.amazon.com...
Shop my boutique for reptile keepers!
msha.ke/herpet...
◦•●◉✿ 𝘼𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙨 ✿◉●•◦
❀Reptilinks $5 off with code "ZAREPTILES" - www.reptilinks.com
❀ Custom Reptile Habitats: customreptileh...?sca_ref=396225.2GJON0Lt2t
❀ Seaav Athletics (15% off) - "Blueiguana"
seaav.ca/
❀ Dubia.com (10% off) - i.refs.cc/m2G4J5qK
❀ Dubia.com Enclosures (10% off) - "ZAREPTILES10"
❀ BambuEarth Beauty products (10% off) - "BLUEIGUANA"
www.bambuearth.com
❀ Ovipost Feeder Insects (10% off link) - www.ovipost.com...
❀ Reptibox Creations (10% off link) - invi.tt/5A9S
◦•●◉✿ 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖 ✿◉●•◦
Instagram Tiktok & Twitter: ZA_reptiles
Blog: zareptiles.blo...
◦•●◉✿ 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤 ✿◉●•◦
intro: Laura J www.youtube.co....
*Some links in the description may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you :)

[@hasemsexotics3384]

At some walmarts they have the trio mix of mustards turnips and collards. Not a bad deal. Thanks for the video upload (:

[@zareptiles]

I’ve gotten those mixes quite a few times! Usually when I’m just really not in the mood to meal prep and cut up greens LOL! But I absolutely love that Walmart has a mix with only staple greens! 😄

[@leahgrace4238]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help! I’ve been watching your videos to learn so much! I got a blue green iguana and the pet store sent us home with absolutely no information. For starters they sent us home with a reptile tank, 1 light (uva/uvb) and fixture, and mulch like bedding. After getting home I quickly learned that we were going to need to change EVERYTHING. The iguana was so little and wrinkley. The only “do not” they told us was do not buy a heat rock. And do not feed any bugs. She never told me what the temperature should be.. she said ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about a humidifier, and said to feed her lettuce everyday with a strawberry occasionally. We were never informed on any supplements, weekly bath/soaks nothing. This poor lizard was in a small 1x1 fish tank looking enclosure, it had no humidity in its tank and I didn’t even see a thermometer. My heart absolutely breaks knowing that pet stores get by with selling these poor reptiles with no knowledge. Thank you for your time and advice 🤍

[@zareptiles]

Upon further investigation - I NO LONGER RECOMMEND HERPTIVITE! They use beta carotine instead of/and not including actual Vitamin A. Your multivitamin can contain beta carotine, but it needs to also have vitamin A. For this reason, I have thrown away my Herptivite and will be using Reptivite from Zoomed.

[@thomasjones4456]

Hi my iguana lost is nail will it grow back ?

[@louisfarias3700]

@@thomasjones4456 Yes, all green iguanas reserve the ability to slowly regenerate their tail in case it detaches.

[@motivatedpain8590]

Hey! I’m getting a blue iguana in a couple days, he’s supposedly. 30 inches long from head to tail! What’s a good diet for that age? And what are good staples ?

[@zareptiles]

This video applies to them at any age. The only difference is you want to supplement more frequently for young iguanas

[@seanbennett7916]

So good this was a great surprise, love you ❤️, simple and good.

[@JeremyGoneWildPets]

Great video Zowie. I’m sure this is going to help a lot of people.

[@zareptiles]

Thanks Jeremy! I sure hope so! I get questions allllll the time about iguana diets, so I’ve been dying to make this video! :)

[@aleiyuh1712]

Thank you so much for responding to my video suggestions💕💕

[@zareptiles]

I hope it was helpful! 😄💙

[@aleiyuh1712]

ZA Reptiles sure was💙

[@mhiggs8001]

THANKS! Your knowledge pertaining to Iguanas has been SUPER helpful. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@Meidusa]

Dont have an Iguana, but im here cause i gotta watch your ADs so you can come visit me . 🤣🤣🤣❤️

[@zareptiles]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA you’re the best 😂💙

[@lunytunez3634]

is tomatoes good for them or no?

[@marlenea1785]

Thank you I love watching you're videos when you talk about iguanas. You really explain, and make things more understanding. I love website you recommend they break down all the food! Thank you!

[@zareptiles]

Thank you for watching the video! I didn’t have anyone to break things down for me when I had to really dive in with Arcadius because of his health problems, so I’m always trying to take what I’ve learned from that experience and find ways to make it all easier for others to learn and understand! I’m so glad you found this helpful! I absolutely LOVE the green iguana society website, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for information on iguanas! 😁

[@ayyylmao9022]

one thing I dont really understand is that iguanas will eat my tomato plants new leaves aren't nightshades toxic to them? Also they don't seem to eat old leaves of any plant like any trees typically they also will only eat mangos that have dropped from trees never physically still on the tree

[@seanbennett7916]

I have a Junior blue hybrid. About 15 inch doing great.

[@winatriwibowo]

Hi, is it okay to add some herbs like basil and rosemary to improve the flavor? Also is it okay to include mango with the skin or should I peel it? Thanks!

[@SupremeGecko]

Great video. Lots and lots and lots of great info!

[@zareptiles]

Thanks Wally! 😁

[@Beachcraft48]

Thanks, I learned something!👍

[@zareptiles]

Im so glad you found this video informative!

[@TiffanyWeaver-mp5de]

What kind of green beans

[@uniquelymade1350]

Your videos are so very informative. Thank you💚💚💚

[@zareptiles]

Thank you so much!

[@sussirojas2073]

Great Video! 😃🦎

[@zareptiles]

Thank you! 😄

[@anabautista5645]

Hi, our red iguanas legs have become paralyzed and now that I’m watching you videos I can see that we’ve been feeding him wrong 😭... we also have a green one and he’s doing fine can they snap out of paralysis?

[@zareptiles]

Its not impossible if you are really giving him everything he needs! Once they hit paralysis typically they are late into metabolic bone disease, so it can be hard to turn it around. I recommend watching my metabolic bone disease videos (3 part series I did at the start of my channel that can be found under my playlists in the iguana lovers playlist), because I went through the same thing with Arcadius when he came to me, but also definitely bring him to an exotic vet because they can run tests and give you very specific help! Good luck!

[@cristinekulkowsky9654]

My eguana is not eating anything but romaine lettuce and I have tried everything and I mean everything what do I do?? She is so cute I think she is wise to where the hot spot is under my shirt and she just wants to stay there for a few hours.

[@jeremypierreakajproject6750]

Love your tips thanks I got a baby this morning I would love to show you the pictures it so cute

[@Killaobsession]

I have my iguana a strawberry for the first time in his life will he be ok 😐

[@zareptiles]

yes strawberries are totally fine as a treat!😄

[@starstablefanplayer9454]

In the wild iguanas also eat bugs

[@marthascurlock7322]

mine loved strawberries ! and yellow squash and cooked sweet potatoes

[@NathansWildLife]

How can I get my green iguana to eat more for variety since all he wants to eat is cucumbers peppers and spinach and a tiny bit of kale If he so hungry he’ll eat grapes

[@zareptiles]

Offer primarily staple food items. If he’s hungry he should eat them, but you definitely wants to start adding more healthy options such as turnip or mustard greens as opposed to spinach and kale. Squash is a great staple veggie too! You can try mixing them to start off since that’s what he is used to eating

[@NathansWildLife]

@@zareptiles ok thank you

[@dixongecko8018]

Hi Za, your video is a good basic introduction however, I must point out something you listed beneath your video in which you said you now use Beta Carotene supplements. I have researched and studied iguana nutrition specifically for over 13 years now but have kept them for decades. In 2002, a study titled Selective absorption of carotenoids in the common green iguana (Iguana iguana) by (Railia et al 2002) determined that groups of vitamin A deficient iguanas exposed to different vitamin A forms including B Carotine and Retinyl acetates did not absorb Beta Carotene, Retinol or acetate, the study had determined that they are polar xanthophillis accumulators (a type of carotene but a secondary plant compound unrelated to B Carotene) Many reptile supplements/pelleted diets do not offer this ingredient due to limitations imposed on what manufacturers can access. Simply translated, if your relying on some supplementation to forefill the vitamin A requirement you will be hard pressed to obtain this, the good news is they are commonly found and come in greens. My own iguanas are eating approximately 120 food items a year, = about 80 greens, 15 veggies (in winter) 5 (fruits seasonally in spring and summer) and 20 flowers seasonally across the year.

[@zareptiles]

Hi! Thank you for all of the great info! I do believe you misinterpreted my comment though, because my issue with the previous calcium was the beta carotine in it, which is why I no longer recommended that product and switched to something else. One of the excellent exotic vets I went to explained this to me as he had research supplementation as well, and guided me on what to look for in supplements! 😁 I definitely dont rely on my supplementation, as Im very selective on the foods I feed for this reason (while providing a variety of course), but please correct me if im wrong - last I knew no one knew exactly how much calcium or how much of each vitamin iguanas need, so I do use supplements as an additive. Definitely not on the intense daily schedule that I used to (this was one if my very first videos years ago), as ive done more research and learned more over the years 😁 I would love to know what other topics you have researched!

[@dixongecko8018]

@@zareptiles You are definitely right about that one. Herbivory is a real black hole of a topic, it is definitely the most complex feeding strategy and we know a great deal less about their nutrient requirements than we know, it is something of a small frustration of mine within the pet manufacturing areas as it is easy for us to trust they know when it hasn’t really been quantified either, I prefer to view herbivory as more of an art than an exact science, although I will use it to underpin my own feeding method where ever I can. Even with wild animals I feel there is great danger in assuming they are always within an equilibrium of nutritional balance due to the hardships and nature of their ecology across a year period. I suspect they are likely balancing their diets over long time periods. I apologise if I had misinterpreted your point. I tend to spend a great deal of free time researching reptiles but I ran a rescue for many years as well as worked within the pet trade and volunteered in various roles here and there. I currently hold a level 4 (A level) in herpetology, done a little Zoology up to level 3 and animal management in conjunction with some CPD’s in nutrition (which mostly is self taught) I would always be happy to discuss and share as well as learn from others too, I always welcome a good discussion. Iguanas have been a main focus of my research due to their incredible complex behaviour and nutritional styles, the more I learn the more I realise how much we still don’t know though lol.

[@banny6589]

I use the sun is that good

[@siennabeverly3615]

thank u

[@raulperez3606]

I wana know common things that are bad for my iguana. I read somewhere broccoli is bad but others say he needs it

[@arunoiau]

im pretty sure there are other food to replace broccoli, i dont think the vitamins they have are necessary

[@hengkimleng7998]

Hello ... I’m having iguana for the first time and can you tell me when iguana want to poop cuz I just clean the enclosure and shower him just 15 minutes now he is dirty again

[@zareptiles]

They poop consistently atleast once a day

[@microwavedmetal]

I have a iguana and I did my research before I got him...but....I wanna make sure I'm feeding him right BTW: He is black but has green speckles...he a pretty boi

[@jaytaybrae3766]

What do you use to chop up the alpha hey so it can turn into a dust?

[@zareptiles]

What we originally bought where little blocks, so we just scraped at them until we had a pile of alfalfa dust

[@adityasuryawanshi2904]

Hey ! I am thinking to get an iguana for me 😊 . Please tell me what about their excretion ??? We need to give them a bath ?? Love your video Love from INDIA 🇮🇳

[@bradd188]

You said "what about their excretion" what are you talking about ?

[@arunoiau]

@@bradd188 think they mean their habitat and how to organize it

[@journeyoffishing2651]

Could I put my water on the side of his cage

[@TimeofRagnarok]

Cactus leafs are a vegetable.

[@Foxylovesfluffys]

Who else got a food commercial just as soon as she walked away from the camera to put him away? lol

[@zareptiles]

omg ahahaha😂

[@ghadahosny2513]

I’m getting an iguana now

[@christianledesma2420]

Wat about sunflowers 🌻

[@robaxl3088]

Can I feed my blue iguana green bell pepper?

[@zareptiles]

Yes! They love bell peppers!

[@whitneykramer8485]

why would you purify the water what do you think they drink in their natural habitate

[@zareptiles]

not chlorinated tap water

[@zareptiles]

its not necessarily “purified” in the sense that theres nothing in it - the goal is to take out anything potentially harmful

[@whitneykramer8485]

@@zareptiles ok sorry just curius also love your chanel

[@zareptiles]

@@whitneykramer8485 thank you so much ☺️

[@zenith7996]

@@zareptiles yep! That is one of the reason why they live much longer in captivity😇

[@ryancarver1642]

Biggest misconception, lettuces are not beneficial. They absolutely are. There should be no such thing as a "staple food". A well varied diet should be the ultimate goal of an animals diet. As long as you provide that, you do not need any supplements or "extras", along with proper uvb and heat.

[@zareptiles]

I agree and disagree. Your average lettuces are mostly water and provide little nutritional value. They tend to have half the protein and a third of the amount of fiber as say mustard greens for example, and they also tend to be every so slightly higher in phosphorous than calcium. NOW WITH THAT BEING SAID, I do agree that a well varied diet is one of the most important aspects of reptile keeping. You are absolutely right there. If you choose to mix in a wider variety than that is fine, I just personally chose to supply a well varied diet using primarily foods that I know have alot of nutritional elements. If you are at a stage in your keeping where you have a good understanding of the nutrition of the various food items, and therefore can supply a mix of foods while still guaranteeing they are getting what they require, that is excellent, more power to you! But that also means you are not the target audience of this video. This video is intended for those starting out, learning the ropes, and getting comfortable with the basics. I've seen too many iguanas in horrible shape mainly due to a poor diet and being fed primarily/only easy to access foods such as your lettuces, spinach, and kale, because they hear "greens" and those tend to be the most common household greens. This played a huge part in Arcadius developing MBD, as his previous owners raised him on lettuces and kale. So I personally find it most beneficial to start off encouraging the use of your more highly nutritious foods that are going to guarantee that their nutritional needs are being met, especially since most people are going out and buying babies, and thats the time that its especially important for them to have good nutrition. So again, I appreciate your thoughts, and agree, just personally not in the case of aiding those just starting out and just looking for tips and assistance while they get a basic handle on caring for their iguana, which is who this video was intended for. In regards to supplementation, last I read we still don't know exactly how much vitamins/calcium animals require, so (again just my opinion) there is nothing wrong with adding a dash of supplements to your diets. :)

[@ryancarver1642]

Lettuces are beneficial when they are served with dandelion, collards, turnips and all the dark leafy greens. It should never be a staple but it can and should be a part of a staple diet One of the biggest causes of death among new baby iguanas with new owners is dehydration and lettuces are a great way to aid with proper hydration and they usually love lettuces I just disagree when people say there is no nutritional value. Water is the most important nutrient in the world also lettuces possess great electrolytes and minerals they have obtained from the soils they grow in

[@zareptiles]

@@ryancarver1642 Thank you for the clarification and explaining your reasoning :)

[@ryancarver1642]

👍👍👍

[@hiddngiraffe9226]

Iguana’s eat bugs as a protein to supplement their diet(very useful if trying to get some weight on your iguana), and are good treat my iguana loves a dubai roach every now and then.

[@zareptiles]

Spookie Artd iguanas will typically eat anything you put in front of them, however animal protein does pose some risks for their health. Their bodies are meant to utilize plant protein - animal proteins have high concentrations that can’t be properly broken down which can lead to problems such as gout because the excess products will be converted to things such as Uric acid. It is probable that green iguanas can handle a certain amount of animal protein safely, but there isn’t enough research on the subject to know how much that is, which is why there are so many sources saying to not feed green iguanas animal protein. So many captive iguanas suffer from dehydration, gout, and just overall kidney problems that can easily be backlash from consuming ample amounts of animal protein, so the safest option in my personal opinion is to not feed Arcadius anything that could possibly do him more harm than good, so I make sure to supplement his salads with alfalfa which is an excellent plant protein instead :)

[@Fluffaloo]

If your iguana is accepting a dubia roaches or any animal protein it means that you aren't feeding it vegetables that have enough protein to support their system. They are opportunistic feeders so if you aren't offering the proper diet and an available source of protein appears, like a roach, then of course they will take the roach. Their body tell them they need something so they will try to get it even though it will hurt them. Animal protein such as bugs cause chronic kidney damage over time so I recommend you stop now.

[@brandontruitt3181]

Can I have a hug?

[@cristinekulkowsky9654]

And I have been giving her calcium,

[@lunytunez3634]

Can they eat eggplant 🍆?

[@zareptiles]

My findings are saying eggplant is toxic, so that’s a nope!

[@claytondial1854]

I talked literally just you

[@TimeofRagnarok]

Squash is a fruit.

[@PpPp-xt1he]

the lishpsss

[@zareptiles]

Yup👍

[@timphillips9954]

Never heard so much rubbish? So Iguana's are the only animal on the planet that control their eating even human lol. I hope the other info is not so far of the mark!

[@zareptiles]

HAHAHAHAHAHA im sorry what video were you watching because I never said that 😂 I said they know when they are full and when they are hungry, so its a good indicator to use when trying to determine how much to feed them, but I never said they are the only animal on the planet to control their eating. That would be extremely stupid of me to say 😂

[@Gushy000]

@@zareptiles people who can rewatch the video always get the things people said wrong 🥱 dnt sweat him

[@ta2049]

You talk to much. Just stick to the subject and keep it simple

[@zareptiles]

Sorry you feel that way 😂

[@adhaynes3764]

That’s rude. It’s her video...when you’re tired of listening- turn it off. Geez