I currently have 2 iguanas, a male and a female. We had bought them at 2 months old in Linkin Park MI, and I got a job and couldn't give them the attention they deserved, so we gave them to a family member. They weren't fed properly, OR housed properly, so we took them back about March.
For their food, I mix up a few greens--collard, mustard, watercress, some staple fruit--papaya and mango, and maybe a carrot, or some shredded beets for flavoring. Stay away from those stupid commercial pellets, they aren't nutritionally complete, and in the proper humidity for these guys, it molds quickly!!
Once a week, ours soak in the tub, it helps their skin stay healthy, and when they shed, it makes it easier for the dead stuff to come off. We trim their nails as neccessary. When they're peeling my skin because they don't want to go into the tub, it's time for a pedicure!!
Once a week I dust it with calcium supplements, to make sure they're getting enough. My lighting includes 1 basking lamp, and a regular UV lamp, and maybe cost me $15. My cage is 5x4x4 (roughly) they have 4-5 shelves to sit on (which they poop all over with glee) a HUGE log for them to bask on, and a shallow tote filled with water for bathing (with rock steps to get back out) and a small bowl on the shelf for drinking. My female is 18 (total) and my fiance's male needs measured again...lol. They have both DOUBLED in size since they came back to us.
You are NOT supposed to house them together!! The only reason I do it, is because our male STOPS eating if he can't see the female!! And even still, my fiance is working on building the male a cage.
They have a tail, teeth and claws as weapons, but if you get a hatchling, they're easy to tame. My female will hang onto my shirt while I watch TV, or walk around the house. The male, can be held, but as my fiance has less time than I do, he's still rambunctious.
Don't let the amount of effort it takes scare you away, to decently care for ANY animal, it's a lot of hard work. Yes, iguanas are hard work, especially to keep them tame. But, the payoff is sooooo worth it, considering our iguanas recognized us after months of living with someone else. They were bitey, and they'd tailwhip, but settled down to perfect angels when they came back home to us.
And if you don't like working hard to suit their every need, then pets just aren't for you. Not being mean, and I apologize if it seems that way. But if you've always dreamed of having one of these gorgeus giants, then by all means, PURSUE YOUR DREAMS!!
www.thegreenigsociety.com has tons of iggy information.
www.thereptilerooms.com is a forum for reptiles.
Good Luck on choosing!! Beardies are gorgeous, but I hear water dragons are too skittish, and stress easily.
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Iguanas are pretty hardy as far as diseases go, if fed well, and with the appropriate lighting, you've got NOTHING to worry about. But, sometimes the circumstances may have taken their toll, and this is what you can expect.
Mites
MBD (metabolic Bone Disease) Caused by a calcium deficiency, best prevented with UVB lights, and calcium. Occurs most frequently in growing juveniles, and egg laying females.
Egg binding in females. You can have them spayed.
Male hemipenes (the ig's penis) can get clogged with seminal deposits, sometimes it's neccessary to soak him, and GENTLY remove the plugs.
Internal parasites, your Iguana vet can easily get rid of these.
Pretty much the same problems that can occur in just about EVERY reptile species that is sold in the pet trade.
