Best Food For Iguanas And What Can They Eat (Food List)

Are you wondering what to feed your pet iguana?

Or maybe you’re still trying to decide if an iguana is a suitable pet for you, and you want to find out what iguanas eat so you know how to care for one in the future?

If so, this article is for you.

We’re uncovering the best food for pet iguanas, sharing some helpful background information on green iguanas (the most popular pet iguana), and giving you some insider tips on feeding your pet iguana. 

Iguanas are herbivores, specifically folivores (leaf eaters), so the best food for iguanas is dark green leafy vegetables. However, they also enjoy other non-leafy vegetables, fruits, flowers, and commercial iguana food.   

About Iguanas

Before we dive into explaining the best food for iguanas, we need to become better acquainted with these fantastic lizards.

We’ll first uncover the various species of iguanas and learn which type is the most popular iguana found in captivity (your pet iguanas is most likely a member of this species), discover where this species comes from and what their life is like in the wild. 

The Various Iguana Species

There are over 35 different species of iguanas in the world today.

Yep, you read that right, 35! Iguana species live everywhere from the Galapagos Islands to Arizona, thriving in everything from ocean-side homes and rainforest-rich areas to desert regions.

The most popular and common iguana in the Americas and the pet industry today is the Green Iguana (often just called the iguana).

So chances are, if you have a pet iguana, it’s a Green Iguana.

Green Iguanas Background 

Iguanas are native to an extensive rainforest range.

They live in the wild in the rainforests of northern Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, southern Brazil, and Central America.

Iguanas are arboreal creatures, meaning they are tree-dwellers.

They live most of their lives up in the canopy of rainforest trees, typically only coming down to mate, lay eggs, and move to a different tree.

Iguanas are large lizards, sometimes growing as long as 7′ feet in length (from snout to tip of tail) and weighing up to 20 pounds.

What Do Iguanas Eat in the Wild

To better comprehend your pet iguana’s food needs, it’s important to understand iguana’s dietary habits in the wild.

Green iguanas are herbivores, meaning they subsist on a diet of leafy greens; however, on rare occasions, iguanas in the wild have been known to eat eggs, leaf-dwelling insects, and snails.

Because of their tree-dwelling nature, iguanas live primarily on plant foods found up in the trees, like leaves, fruits, and flowers.

Still, their specific geographical residence (and the foods available there) dictates what types of plants the green iguana eats.

For example, iguanas in Panama love feeding on the abundantly growing wild plums found in Panama forests.

Best Food For Iguanas

Now that we know a little more about iguanas (the most popular pet iguana species), including where they live and what they eat in the wild, let’s discover the best iguana food for your pet iguana. 

Leafy Greens

As mentioned above, green are herbivores, specifically folivores (or leaf eaters).

They live primarily on a diet of leaves from vines and trees in the wild, with some fruits, plants, and flowers mixed in.

But what about captive iguanas?

This may come as a surprise, but your pet iguana still has the same dietary needs and preferences as iguanas living in the wild! 

It’s important to provide an adult iguana with a diet closely mimicking the nutritious, herbivorous food it enjoys in the wild.

With this in mind, one of the essential foods to feed your captive iguana are leafy green vegetables.

These types of vegetables should make up about 80-90% of your iguana’s diet.

Iguana-friendly leafy vegetables include:

• Beet greens
• Mustard greens
• Dandelion greens
• Collard greens
• Turnip greens
• Alfalfa hay or chow
• Bok choy
• Kale
• Swiss chard
• Red or green cabbage
• Clover
• Kohlrabi
• Watercress
• Savory
• Cilantro

In general, stay away from fiber-rich, vitamin- and nutrient-deficient light green vegetables like iceberg lettuce, celery, and romaine lettuce.

These vegetables are mainly fiber and water and contain very little nutrient value.

Another thing to note is the light-colored inner parts of many vegetables are less nutritious than the darker, green leaves on the outside.

The primary goal here is to ensure your iguana has as much nutrient-rich food as it can get.

Other Vegetables

Many other non-leafy vegetables are also great food choices for pet iguanas.

These are served raw or cooked, although raw is the better choice as more nutrients are retained.

Just make sure you don’t rely on non-leafy vegetables too heavily and neglect to give your iguana the leafy, rich-green foods it needs to thrive.

Vegetables your iguana will love include bell peppers, green beans (and other beans), and broccoli.

Though safe and healthy for your iguana, the following vegetables should make up a smaller percentage of its diet than the previous ones mentioned.

These include squash, cactus, cooked sweet potato, cucumbers, asparagus, mushrooms, shredded carrots, peas, okra, parsnips, and corn. 

Fruit

Iguanas enjoy eating fruit; however, fruit should only be given sparingly and should never make up a large portion of an iguana’s diet since it is generally mineral-poor.

Consider giving your iguana fruit as a treat once or twice a week or sprinkling small amounts (as a dressing of sorts) on top of its other food.

Iguana-friendly fruits include bananas (with skin), grapes, apples, star fruit, pears, tomatoes, kiwis, peaches, guava, melons, and mango.

Other particularly healthy fruits your iguana will enjoy are apricots, raspberries, strawberries, dates, and figs (for their high calcium levels). 

Flowers

In the wild, iguanas eat flowers, so providing flowers now and then as treats is a good idea.

Flowers like carnations, dandelions, hibiscus, geraniums, and roses are excellent choices.

Grow these yourself at home, or purchase them from a flower shop (although you will need to make sure no chemicals were ever sprayed on the flowers or put in the flower’s water).

Commercial Foods

Although your captive iguana needs a diet primarily (80-90%) made up of fresh leafy greens, vegetables, and fruit, it is helpful to supplement this with a commercial-made iguana food source.

Some of our favorites include:

• Rep-Cal Adult Iguana Food
• Exo Terra Soft Adult Iguana Food
• Zilla Juvenile Iguana Fortified Daily Diet

A Word on Animal Protein

Some captive iguanas may enjoy eating animal protein food sources like live crickets, pinky mice, mealworms, and even table food.

However, these are not necessary to their diet and are considered by many to be poor dietary choices for iguanas, so it’s best to stay away from these foods entirely or offer them only infrequently.

Never feed your iguana dog or cat food as it contains too much fat and Vitamin D. 

Things to Remember When Feeding Your Iguana

Iguanas are herbivores, meaning they consume only plant-based foods. Their diet should primarily consist of dark leafy greens, such as collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and kale. These greens are rich in nutrients essential for iguanas, including calcium, vitamin A, and fiber.

Here are some other things you should keep in mind when feeding your pet:

Variety is Key

While leafy greens should form the bulk of your iguana’s diet, it’s important to offer a variety of other vegetables to ensure they receive a balanced and well-rounded nutritional intake. Give your iguana a healthy portion of fresh leaves and vegetables, like dandelion greens, every day, and if they consume it all, give them some more.

Fruits as Occasional Treats

Fruits can be offered as occasional treats, but they should not make up a significant portion of your iguana’s diet. Fruits are generally high in sugar and water and low in nutrients.

Iguanas do not chew their food, especially a baby iguana, so make sure you always cut up their fruits into bite-size pieces they can easily swallow so they don’t choke (especially for baby iguanas).

Calcium Supplements

Calcium is crucial for bone health in iguanas, and they may not get enough from their diet alone. It’s recommended to dust their food with calcium powder every other day or three times a week.

Avoid Certain Foods

Some foods are toxic to iguanas and should be avoided at all costs. These include avocados, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, and chocolate.

Feeding Frequency

Young iguanas should be fed daily, while older iguanas can be fed every other day or even every three days. A baby iguana will require more food and may need to be fed up to 3 times a day.

Adjust the amount of food based on your iguana’s size and appetite.

Fresh Water

Ensure your iguana has constant access to fresh, clean water. This is essential for their hydration and overall health.

Monitoring Health

Regularly monitor your iguana’s weight and overall health. If you notice any changes in their appetite, behavior, or appearance, consult a veterinarian promptly.

By following these guidelines, you can provide your iguana with a healthy and balanced diet, ensuring they thrive under your care.

Conclusion

So there you have it! The best food for iguanas is dark green leafy vegetables.

These should make up about 80-90% of their diet.

Other vegetables iguanas enjoy are carrots, asparagus, bell peppers, and cucumbers.

Some fruits and commercially made iguana foods are used to supplement and add variety to their diet.

We hope you found this article helpful and feel better equipped to feed your pet iguana properly!