Before you go out and purchase your first iguana, you must arm yourself with the right information and knowledge about this species. You have know what to look for and what to avoid. Keep in mind that getting a healthy iguana in the beginning is crucial to prevent future challenges and problems.
Although we know more about iguana care now than we did 10 years ago, there are still a lot of misinformed iguana owners and pet stores out there. Unfortunately, there are still some iguanas for sale that aren't properly cared for. Some of them have thermal burns, deformed faces, or body parts that are missing. You have to be aware of certain things and be able to tell a healthy, normal iguana from a sick and damaged one. If you have further questions or concern, ask the iguana seller before making your final choice.
There are certain qualities and characteristics to look for when selecting the right iguana. Do not just go with the biggest one in the cage. Often times, hatchlings from the same cage arrive at different times and from different sources and the biggest hatchling may just be an older iguana that has been in the cage longer than the others. Below is a list of characteristics to look for in a healthy, normal iguana:
Eyes
The eyes should be clean and bright. Watch out for any discharge, tearing, crusty residue, or drooping or swollen eyelids. Iguanas' eyes must be alert, moving back and forth as if they are watching your every move.
Nose
The nose should be clean and free of any mucous or runny discharge. However, healthy iguanas have a clear, watery fluid discharge from their nostrils. Because iguanas don't sweat, this is how they regulate their body's salt balance. When this watery fluid touches the glass of its habitat, it dries and forms into salt crystals. An improperly housed iguana will try to get out by banging and rubbing its nose the cage, causing an abrasion. If you see one with a nose that seems to be damaged, do not buy it.
Jaw
The jaw should look firm. Watch out for any signs of swelling, puffiness in the face, or any kind of distortion. The number one medical problem associated with captive iguanas is metabolic bone disease that is caused by calcium deficiency. One sign of this disease is a soft and swollen jaw. Even if the animal's jaw appear to look normal, check for the early symptom of this disease by applying a slight pressure on the side of its jaw. The jaw should be firm, and not spongy.
Be very careful, however, when doing this pressure test. If the iguana is suffering from metabolic bone disease, you don't want to worsen the problem by cracking its jaw, especially if the disease is in its advanced stage. Simply apply a gentle pressure with your thumb and index finger on the sides of its jaw and you will be able to determine the presence of the disease. Also look at the animal's face from the side. Make sure that it doesn't appear swollen and that the lower jaw is aligned with the upper jaw instead of being drawn back.
Click here to read part 2.
Return to the Iguana article menu...