How long do green iguanas live?

Green iguanas live 15–20 years with good care.

How big do green iguanas get?

4-7 ft (1.2-2.1 m) nose to tail; males are larger, females rarely pass 5 ft.

Reptiles · Iguana iguana

Green iguana enclosure & care

Q: How much is a green iguana?

A green iguana usually costs $20–$100. Hatchlings are cheap at pet stores and reptile shows; rescues have many adults surrendered by owners who didn't expect their size. The setup adds more: the first year all in, with setup and supplies, runs $2,460–$5,490.

Green iguanas need at least a 120 × 60 × 72 in enclosure, a 110–120°F basking spot and UVB lighting. They live 15–20 years, and a complete setup costs $1,600–$3,680.

Lifespan: 15–20 years
Adult size: 4-7 ft (1.2-2.1 m) nose to tail; males are larger, females rarely pass 5 ft
Smallest enclosure: 120×60×72 in
Diet: Leafy greens, vegetables, a little fruit
Handling: Tolerates brief handling
First year: $2,460–$5,490

A correctly set up green iguana enclosure — Illustration of a correct setup, checked against this guide. The numbers on this page are what your animal needs, not the picture.

Layout drawn from the numbers on this page, not to scale. Humidity 60–80%.

What do green iguanas eat?

Herbivores. Offer a big salad every day: about 60% dark leafy greens (collard, mustard and turnip greens, dandelion), 30% other vegetables such as squash and green beans, and up to 10% fruit, chopped small. Sprinkle a calcium or all-in-one veggie supplement on most meals.

Food per year: $600–$1,200

Green iguana temperature & humidity

Basking surface

110–120°F

Warm side

80–88°F

Cool side

75–80°F

Night: 72–80°F
Humidity: 60–80%

The basking figure is a surface temperature on the top branch, measured with an infrared gun under a cluster of heat lamps. Keep daytime humidity at 60-80%; it can rise higher at night.

Green iguana enclosure size

120 × 60 × 72 in (10 × 5 × 6 ft) for an adult. Custom PVC or wood enclosure, or a converted room, vertical layout.

A young iguana can start in about 4 x 2 x 4 ft (48 x 24 x 48 in), but it outgrows that at around 3 ft long, often within 1-2 years, so plan the adult enclosure from day one.

House adults alone. Never keep two males together; any group needs a much larger enclosure and can still end in serious injuries.

Lighting & heat

UVB: T5 HO 12-14% desert-strength tubes (or ReptiSun 10.0) spanning 1/2 to 2/3 of the enclosure, aiming for UVI 3-4 at the basking branch

Heat: A cluster of halogen flood bulbs over the basking branch (2+ for juveniles, 4+ for adults); radiant heat panels on a thermostat if the room runs cool

Day length: 12–13 hours of light

Substrate

Good choices: moist coconut husk or cypress mulch in large pieces; bioactive soil mix (large enclosures); linoleum or tile with sealed edges.

Avoid: loose sand or calcium sand; cedar shavings; pine wood chips; gravel; small bark nuggets.

How much is a green iguana?

The green iguana itselfHatchlings are cheap at pet stores and reptile shows; rescues have many adults surrendered by owners who didn't expect their size.: $20–$100
Setup, essentials: $1,600–$3,680
Every year after: $860–$1,810
First year, setup plus supplies: $2,460–$5,490

What you keep buying, per year

Fresh Greens and VegetablesGreen iguanas eat a large fresh salad of dark leafy greens, squash and other vegetables every day.	weekly	$600–$1,200
Linear T5 HO UVB TubesUVB output fades long before the tubes stop glowing, and a big enclosure runs two or more.	every 12 months	$60–$120
Calcium or Veggie Supplement PowderDusting salads supports bones and fills nutritional gaps.	every 3-6 months	$20–$40
Halogen Basking BulbsA cluster of four or more bulbs runs 12 hours a day and they burn out regularly.	every 4-6 months	$60–$150
Coconut Husk or Cypress MulchLoose substrate in a large enclosure is replaced about monthly to keep it clean.	monthly	$120–$300

Typical US prices. Vet care isn't included: budget for a check-up with an exotics vet after your pet comes home, and keep an emergency fund.

Are green iguanas good pets?

Only for an experienced keeper.

Green iguanas live 15–20 years, need about 30–60 minutes of care a day and cost $860–$1,810 a year in supplies. They tolerate brief, calm handling.

Handling: Tolerates brief handling
Difficulty: Advanced
Daily care: 30–60 min
Lives: 15–20 years
Before you buy: Green iguanas are a prohibited species in Florida: new pets aren't allowed, and only owners grandfathered in 2021 may keep one under an annual FWC permit. Hawaii also bans them. Check state and local rules elsewhere.

Before your green iguana comes home

01
1-2 weeks before
Assemble enclosure and install heat and UVB fixtures
Setting up early ensures all heavy branches, shelves, and fixtures are securely anchored before the animal arrives.
02
48 hours before
Run heat lamps and misting system continuously to verify thermal gradient and humidity
Dialing in basking and ambient temperatures with a temp gun before arrival prevents dangerous overheating or chilling.
03
Day one
Place the iguana directly into the enclosure and fresh water basin
Minimizing initial handling reduces severe stress-induced shock from the move.
04
First two weeks
Provide daily food and fresh water while avoiding unnecessary handling
Acclimation without human disturbance allows the reptile to establish feeding routines without fear.
05
Within first month
Schedule a baseline health checkup and fecal exam with a qualified exotics veterinarian
An initial veterinary assessment screens for internal parasites and establishes health parameters for a long-lived species.

Common setup mistakes

Using glass standard fish tanks, which quickly crowd full-grown iguanas and fail to provide vertical space.
Installing heat rocks or under-tank heat pads, which cause severe belly burns.
Feeding animal protein, commercial dog/cat food, or iceberg lettuce, leading to kidney damage and malnutrition.
Skimping on UVB, heat or humidity, which leads to metabolic bone disease, poor digestion and kidney problems.
Underestimating adult size and aggression, resulting in rehoming or unsafe housing conditions.

Questions people ask

What size tank does an adult Green Iguana need?

An adult needs a custom enclosure of at least 10 ft long, 5 ft wide and 6 ft high (10 x 5 x 6 ft), and bigger is better. Many keepers give them a converted room.

What temperatures do Green Iguanas need?

Aim for a basking surface of 110-120°F on a high branch, general air of 80-88°F, a cooler area of 75-80°F, and nights above 72°F.

How much does it cost to set up an adult Green Iguana habitat?

Expect about $1,600-$3,680 for the essentials, most of it the enclosure: a custom 10 x 5 x 6 ft build, two UVB fixtures, four halogen lamps, a heat panel, thermostat, gauges, a humidifier, branches, a soaking tub and supplements.

What essential lighting equipment is required?

Two or more high-output T5 UVB tubes (12-14%) across at least half the enclosure, plus a cluster of halogen flood bulbs over the basking branch.

Sources

The numbers on this page come from these care sheets and references, checked October 2026. How we make these guides.