Diet
All plant material should be washed, chopped (a food processor is recommended), and thoroughly mixed. Chopping and mixing will ensure a balanced diet because the iguana will eat all the food items and not be able to just pick out the favorite or tasty ones. Try to pick out 10-15 items each time, from the lists below. Prepare enough for 4-7 days, store the mixture in the refrigerator between feedings and serve at room temperature or slightly warmer. Feed as follows:
Hatchlings (up to 14 inches in length from nose to vent (pelvis area)
- Feed twice daily
- Plant material should be finely chopped or shredded
Juveniles (up to 2.5 years or 3 feet)
- Feed once a day
- Plant matter should be fine or medium chopped
Adults (over 2.5 years and over 3 feet)
- Feed daily or at least every other day
- Plant material coarsely chopped
INGREDIENTS
EACH meal should contain ingredients from ALL FIVE of the following categories: |
| Calcium rich vegetables (60-70% of the diet, 2 or more items per feeding) |
- escarole
- kale
- collards
- bok choy
- Swiss chard
- parsley
- clover
- alfalfa pellets
|
- dandelion greens
- turnip greens
- mustard greens
- beet greens-only occasionally
- spinach-only occasionally
- NEVER iceberg lettuce
|
|
| Other vegetables (20-30% of the diet, a variety weekly) |
- broccoli
- okra
- peas
- green beans
- zucchini
- squash
|
- grated carrots
- sweet potatoes
- bell peppers
- frozen mixed vegetables
|
|
| Grain/fiber (0-5% of the diet) |
|
| Fruits (no more than 10% of the diet) |
- figs
- kiwi
- papaya
- melon
- apples
- grapes
- dates
|
- peaches
- apricots
- strawberries
- plums
- tomatoes
- bananas (with skin)
|
|
| Vitamin/Mineral Supplement |
Crush one Centrum brand vitamin. Mix 2 parts of the crushed vitamin with one part powdered calcium carbonate or calcium gluconate. Feed as follows:
- Hatchlings and juveniles:
1 small pinch per feeding
- Adults:
1 full pinch per 2 pounds body weight twice a week
- Adult females:
1 full pinch per feeding from December until egg laying
|
