The 4 Best Iguana Cages: Enclosure Guide And Review

Are you on the hunt for the best iguana cage?

If so, this article is for you!

Today, we’re sharing with you four of our favorite iguana enclosures.

We’ll also give you some expert information on what a green iguana needs in a cage, what to look out for when shopping for the best iguana enclosure.

In a special bonus near the end, we’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions pet owners have about green iguana cages.

So let’s get started!

Iguana Cage Guidelines

Buying suitable iguana cages isn’t as easy as you might think!

There are many factors to consider before clicking ” Buy Now,” from multiple cage size requirements to considering humidity and heat regulation.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help. 

So before we show you any cages today, we’re going to outline:

• What iguanas need in a cage.
• Share some common mistakes pet owners make when buying iguana cages.
• Some insider tips so you’ll be better prepared to purchase the best iguana cage for your pet iguana.

Iguana Cage Size

One of the most important (and often overlooked) aspects of iguana care is their cage size.

An adult iguana needs a large, roomy cage measuring at least 8 ft. long by 8 ft. high by 4-6 ft. deep to survive and thrive in a captive environment.  

Sadly, many enthusiastic reptile lovers purchase a juvenile iguana without fully understanding how big adult iguanas get (they can grow as long as 6′ feet from snout to tail!) and what their adult-size cage requirements are.

When the iguana matures into adulthood, the owners no longer have space to properly care for it and get rid of the iguana.

This is one of the reasons iguanas are considered one of the most “disposable pets” in the world.

Iguana Cage Height 

I know we just talked about cage size, but the height (not just the length or width) of an iguana’s cage is so crucial to their health and happiness.

Despite its importance, cage height is far too often ignored by iguana pet owners.

We don’t want you to make this mistake, so we’re devoting an entire section to cage height! 

If you observe a captive iguana for any time, you’ll probably notice it prefers to hang out on the highest branch in the cage.

This is because iguanas are arboreal creatures, meaning they are tree-dwellers.

In fact, for most of their lives in the wild, iguanas are up in the trees, typically only coming down to mate, lay eggs, and change from one tree to another. 

Because they’re natural tree-climbers and dwellers, iguanas must have plenty of tall branches and platforms to climb and bask on.

To accommodate this, your iguana’s cage height needs to be a minimum of 6′ feet high (preferably around 8′ feet high).

Baby Iguana Versus Adult Iguana Cages

In the first year of their lives, baby iguanas need far less space than adult iguanas.

It’s often better to house them in a smaller cage than their final, adult-size destination since babies can often feel lost in a huge iguana enclosure and may even have trouble finding their food and water.

If your baby iguana is less than a year old and is 18″ long or smaller, a 20-gallon-long aquarium should be an adequate sized enclosure.

However, keep in mind your iguana WILL outgrow this cage within a year.

If you are uncertain how big your baby iguana’s cage should be, a good rule of thumb to remember that the cage size of a green iguana should be at least twice as long and twice as wide as its length. 

Best Iguana Cage Material

You never want your iguana’s cage air to be stagnant or stifling, meaning it’s best to avoid all-glass terrariums (at least for your adult iguana).

With your adult iguana requiring multiple heat lamps and UVB bulbs, it’s easy for glass terrariums to become overheated and stagnant. 

So when choosing your iguana cages, look for cages made with strong yet breathable plastic-coated wire mesh.

This material is ideal for iguana cages as it is strong and can support climbing branches, allows for plenty of ventilation, protects your iguana’s feet while climbing, and prevents other rubbing injuries. 

While an open-air design is ideal for ventilation, you may need to pick a cage with one or two plexiglass sides to help maintain the enclosure’s proper temperature and humidity levels.

Most cages are all glass or wire mesh, so you may have to purchase and secure plexiglass to one or two sides of the cage yourself. 

How to Choose the Best Iguana Cage

So what should you look for in iguana cages?

First, you’ll want to ensure the cage is an adequate size for your iguana, whatever stage of life they may be in.

Be prepared to buy at least two iguana enclosures for your iguana to accommodate its growing size.  

For baby iguanas 18″ or smaller, a 20-gallon glass tank should be a suitable enclosure.

For an adult iguana, however, look for a wire mesh cage at least 8′ feet long by 8′ feet high by 4′ – 6′ feet wide. 

You’ll also need to consider where the cage is going to reside.

If you live in a year-round warm climate, you may be planning on keeping your iguana cage outside.

If so, you’ll want to be on the lookout for an extra-secure, anti-escape metal cage (with plastic-coated wire) able to withstand possible predator threats and weather changes.

Also, if the cage is going outside, make sure the bottom is secured with a secure floor so no predator can dig underneath it. 

If your iguana’s cage is staying inside, you’ll have a different set of factors to consider.

Even though there’s no threat of outdoor predators, you’ll still want to find a cage fitted with a securable screen top, so your iguana doesn’t get out and roam the house and possibly get lost.

You may also want to look for a cage with one or (at most) two plexiglass sides to help maintain the cage’s humidity level (especially if your house is dry).

Keep in mind; however, the top of the cage should never be plexiglass (or any other solid material), and preferably only one side is plexiglass with the remaining sides and top made of a breathable wire mesh.

Review of the Best Cages for Iguanas 

We’ve discovered what an iguana needs in a cage and shown you how to pick the best cage for iguana based on its specific needs and environment.

Now we’re going to share with you four of our favorite iguana cages. 

Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium

The Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium is a reptile terrarium cage available in 18 different models.

Choose from multiple sizes to house both your juvenile and adult iguana.

Sizes range from the medium terrarium measuring 24″ inches long by 18″ inches deep by 18″ inches high to the giant deep extra-tall terrarium measuring 72″ inches long by 24″ inches deep by 36″ inches high. 

All models are made with high-quality steel, plastic, and non-tempered (drillable) glass, including key-lock security, so you don’t have to worry about your iguana escaping!

The terrariums feature a waterproof 4″ inch base, a secure screen top, a glass-hinged door or sliding doors (depending on the model you select), and drillable glass sides. 

While a glass terrarium is a suitable temporary home for young iguanas, it is risky to house adult iguanas in a glass aquarium.

Further, with this terrarium’s largest model size being only 3′ feet high, the Carolina Custom Terrarium won’t give your adult iguana enough space to climb and bask on high branches.

The Carolina Custom Terrarium is a good option if you’re looking for a high-quality indoor terrarium for your young iguana.

Still, it may not be the best choice for long-term adult iguana housing.

Pros For This Product

• Comes in multiple sizes 
• Watertight base tray ideal for indoor use
• Secure screen top
• Sliding or hinged door options so you won’t need to reach above your iguana’s head to pick him/her up 

Cons For This Product

• The largest size option is still only 3′ feet high, (not high enough to adequately accommodate an adult iguana’s climbing needs)
• Glass panels on all sides

PawHut Large Wooden Outdoor Cage

The PawHut large wooden outdoor cage is specifically designed with cats in mind but can make for a great outdoor iguana cage!

This cage is spacious, allows for plenty of ventilation, and is easily assembled. 

The PawHut cage is constructed of natural fir wood covered in a non-toxic, animal-safe sealant, making it long-lasting even for outdoor use.

It features durable wire mesh sides, an asphalt-covered roof for protection from the elements, a large front door with secure latches for easy and safe access, and six platforms for climbing. 

Its overall dimensions are 71″ inches long by 38.5″ inches wide by 71″ inches high, and it weighs 100 lbs, making it an ideal size for adult iguanas.

Without a bottom tray, this cage would need to be adapted slightly to accommodate for indoor use.

And if being used outside, it might be best to secure a wire mesh bottom at the base to protect against digging predators.

Though it protects your pet from the weather, the asphalt roof also blocks the sun’s rays (which your iguana desperately needs), and (if you choose to use the cage inside), the roof makes it difficult and potentially dangerous to attach heat lamps and UVB lights. 

Pros For This Product

• Adequate size for an adult iguana
• Wire mesh sides for ventilation and heat distribution
• Includes elevated platforms for climbing
• Roof to protect iguana from weather

Cons For This Product

• No bottom base (unprotected from outdoor predators and ill-suited for indoor use)
• Wood/asphalt roof blocks sunlight (outdoor use) and not good for attaching heat lamps/UVB lights to (indoor use)
• Softwood design is less sturdy and secure than metal structures
• All-mesh sides make it harder to regulate humidity and temperature if using indoors

Zoo Med Reptibreeze IguanArium

Zoo Med’s Reptibreeze IguanArium is designed explicitly for housing iguanas.

It’s made with strong yet breathable plastic coated wire (helps prevent injuries from rubbing or climbing), has a removable bottom tray for easy and convenient cleaning, and features both front and top opening doors for smoother access. 

The cage also has a removable basking shelf and an enclosed wire heat cage to protect your iguana from burning itself on heat lamp bulbs.

The cage is fitted with four wheels, so you can easily move it outside for natural sun-basking. 

The Zoo Med Reptibreeze IguanArium only measures 36″ x 18″ x 48″ inches, meaning your young iguana will eventually outgrow this cage.

It is, however, a good size for younger iguanas and, at 4′ feet high, even allows for climbing.

One other thing to note about the Zoo Med Reptibreeze IguanArium is its fully open-air setup.

With all four sides being wire mesh plus a screen top, you may find it hard to maintain your iguana’s humidity and heat levels (especially if your house tends to be dry). 

This problem is remedied by fitting a plexiglass panel to one or two sides of the cage but will require an extra purchase and more work on your part.

Pros For This Product

• Metal wire sides for proper ventilation
• Screen top
• Basking shelf and heat cage 
• Strong yet lightweight coated wire design
• Bottom steel base tray for easy clean-up
• Ideal size for juvenile iguanas

Cons For This Product

• No plexiglass side panel makes it harder to maintain humidity and heat levels 
• Not large enough for most full-grown adult iguanas

Exo Terra Screen Terrarium

This Exo Terra Screen Terrarium is an all-screen cage designed for reptiles and lizards like chameleons and iguanas.

It’s made with a corrosion-resistant black anodized aluminum screen mesh.

It features large hinged front doors (easy access to cleaning the cage and handling your iguana), plus a swiveling bottom door for convenient removal of the substrate tray. 

The open-air design helps ensure your iguana’s air is never stagnant, cuts down on cage odors, and helps prevent the cage from overheating.

Plus, the screen top is perfect for fitting overhead heat lamps and UVB bulbs.

However, with all four sides plus the top being an open-air screen, you may need to regulate your iguana’s humidity and heat levels more carefully (or even consider adding a plexiglass side).

As arboreal creatures, iguanas need large branches to climb on in their cage.

Still, this enclosure’s screen sides (as opposed to wire mesh caging) could potentially tear if limbs or branches rest on them, so it may be more challenging to outfit this cage with adequate climbing apparatus.

The dimensions of the Exo Terra Screen Terrarium are 3′ feet long by 1.5′ feet wide by 3′ feet high, making it a suitable enclosure for the first year or two of a young iguana’s life but not large enough for long-term adult iguana housing.  

Pros For This Product:

• Large doors for easy access to food, water, and iguana handling
• Removable bottom tray plus a swivel door for convenient cleaning 
• Suitable size for young iguanas
• Open-air design 
• Screen top 
• Easy assembly requires only one screwdriver

Cons For This Product:

• Screen sides could tear from climbing branches
• Not large enough for adult iguana housing
• Fully open-air design lets humidity and heat out

Which Enclosures are Not a Good Option for Iguanas?

Iguanas have specific requirements for their enclosures to ensure their well-being and health.

Here are some types of enclosures that are generally not suitable for iguanas:

Glass Enclosures

Glass tanks don’t provide adequate ventilation, which can lead to poor air quality and respiratory issues for iguanas. They also don’t retain heat and humidity well.

Small Enclosures

Iguanas can grow quite large, and confining them to a small enclosure restricts their movement and can cause stress. Inadequate space can also lead to behavioral problems. Therefore, it is important to keep the iguana cage size into consideration and get one that’s appropriate according to its size.

Aquariums

Just like glass tanks, aquariums lack proper ventilation and can be difficult to heat. Iguanas need a basking area and space to move horizontally, which aquariums often don’t have.

Enclosures with Improper Lighting

Iguanas require access to natural sunlight or full-spectrum UVB lighting for proper calcium metabolism. Enclosures without adequate lighting can result in metabolic bone disease.

Enclosures with the Wrong Substrate

Some substrates, such as cedar or pine shavings, can be toxic to iguanas when ingested. So make sure you choose the correct substrate for the iguana that is safe for it.

Enclosure with Incorrect Temperature Gradient

Iguanas need a temperature gradient in their enclosure, including a basking spot with higher temperatures. Enclosures that don’t provide this gradient can lead to thermoregulation issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now we’re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions pet owners have about iguana cages. 

Does my iguana need a cage?

Yes, captive iguanas need to be housed in a cage for several reasons.

First, when iguanas free range in a house, it’s harder to ensure they get the amounts of heat and UVB light their bodies require.

Also, if your iguana has a free range of the house, it may become more aggressive and harder to keep tame.

What do I put in the bottom of my iguana cage?

If your iguana cage is indoors, you’ll need to keep substrate or bedding material at the bottom of the enclosure.

Use pet-safe artificial grass like Astroturf, newspaper, or bark chips. Always keep the substrate clean from feces and uneaten food.

How do I keep my iguana’s cage humid?

Keeping your iguana’s cage at the proper humidity level is crucial, but it isn’t easy.

• Consider adding plexiglass panels to one or two sides of your iguana’s cage (this keeps humidity inside the cage better).
• Keep a deep layer (3″ inch) of a porous substrate like Exo Terra Plantation soil in the bottom of the cage.
• Mist your tank frequently (2-3 times a day).
• Increase your water dish bowl size.
• Get an accurate thermometer and hydrometer to gauge heat and humidity levels.
• Make sure your cage is not under or near a heating/AC vent.

Should I turn my iguana’s light off at night?

Yes, iguanas need around 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness in 24 hours, meaning you should turn off your iguana’s lights at night when they’re sleeping.

However, if your house gets below 70° – 77° degrees Fahrenheit (21° – 25° C) at night, you may need to keep a non-visible heat source on to ensure your iguana’s temperature doesn’t drop too low.

Conclusion

As we’ve learned, iguanas have specific needs when it comes to their cages.

If you’re shopping for the best iguana cages for your reptile pet, you’ll need to:

• Ensure the cage has enough space for climbing and basking on high branches (for adult iguanas, this is typically somewhere around 8′ feet long by 8′ feet high by 4′ – 6′ feet deep).
• Is suited for indoor or outdoor use (depending on where you live and where your iguana enclosure will be housed).
• Is adequately equipped to accommodate overhead lighting and humidity management. 

If you keep these things in mind when purchasing a cage, you’re sure to find a suitable enclosure for your iguana!