Iguanas are herbivorous animals that are very intelligent. They are one of the few reptiles that do not hunt animals down for food. They instead feed on plants and have their desired diet.
This guide will highlight all you need to know about an iguana’s diet if you have one as a pet.
Iguanas Favorite Diet: What Do Iguanas Eat More?
Iguanas are fully herbivorous and have certain foods they like to eat. They mostly enjoy eating plants, fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Most Iguanas will eat what they can find in their habitat. See the main food that iguanas eat.
- Alfalfa Hay.
- Beet Greens.
- Balloon Vines.
- Bougainvillea.
- Bok Choy.
- Dandelions.
- Collard Greens.
- Escarole.
- Kale.
- Hibiscus.
- Mustard Greens.
- Kohlrabi.
- Orchids.
- Roses.
- Princess Vine.
- Swiss Chard.
- Roses.
- Turnip Greens.
Are Iguanas Vegetarians?
Iguanas are vegetarians. They do not eat fish or meat; they only eat select plants and flowers. Some of the food that iguanas eat in the wild include escarole, kale, hibiscus, mustard greens, kohlrabi, orchids, roses, princess vine, Swiss chard, and roses.
What Do Iguanas Eat as Pets?
Pet Iguanas are typically fed beet greens, collard greens, bok choy, turnip greens, mustard greens, alfalfa hay, romaine, Swiss chard, dandelion, hibiscus, balloon vines, and kohlrabi.
Iguanas kept as pets will eat most of the foods they enjoy in the wild. You just need to ensure that you feed them with those that are rich in calcium.
What Do Iguanas Eat in the Wild?
Iguanas that live in the wild eat Alfalfa Hay, Beet Greens, Balloon Vines, Bok Choy, Dandelions, Escarole, Kale, Mustard Greens, Kohlrabi, and Swish Chard.
Iguanas are great eaters in the wild. Being vegetarians and having a vast range of food, iguanas always have enough food sources for survival, even in scarcity.
What Do Baby Iguanas Eat?
Baby iguanas eat select leaves and plants. You just need to cut the leaves into small pieces and entice the new pet to eat. Some of the food baby iguanas eat are hibiscus, alfalfa hay, beet greens, balloon vines, bok choy, and roses.
How Often Does an Iguana Eat?
Adult Iguanas eat once a day and can hold for a while. Younger iguanas and hatchlings eat nothing less than two times a day throughout their growth stage.
As Iguanas advance in age, they learn to stack up more food that can sustain them for an entire day in one sitting.
Also read: Are Iguanas Dangerous and Do They Bite Humans?
How Much Do Iguanas Eat?
Iguanas can eat up to 10.5 grams worth of food daily. Younger iguanas will eat a bit less as they are still growing. The older and bigger an iguana, the more it will eat. Iguanas mostly eat plants, leaves, and vegetables.
How Long Can Iguanas Go Without Feeding?
Iguanas can live for a little over a month without eating. Younger iguanas may be able to survive a week or two without eating. Iguanas are resilient animals, and this helps them in the wild during food scarcity. They can continue to function even after a week without food.
Toxic Foods Iguanas Should Not Eat
There are several foods that iguanas should not eat because of their high toxicity. Toxic foods you should not feed your iguana are romaine lettuce, beets, onions, beet greens, grapes, broccoli, and carrots.
Most of these foods contain calcium minerals and oxalate, a toxic combination for your pet iguana. They can make your iguana suffer from necrosis, kidney blockage, and even death.
Also read: What Eats Iguanas? 11 Iguana Predators
What Fruits Do Iguanas Eat?
The Fruits that Iguanas eat are bananas, pears, apples, mangoes, star fruit, grapes, peaches, kiwis, guavas, tomatoes, melons, apricots, figs, blueberries, dates, strawberries, and raspberries.
Feeding your iguana with any of these fruits will not cause any problems as long as they do not account for more than 20% of your pet’s diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Iguanas Eat Meat?
Iguanas cannot eat any meat. Iguanas cannot eat rats, birds, fish, bugs, crickets, or other animals. They only eat plants, fruits, and vegetables. You should feed your iguanas calcium-rich food like Alfalfa Hay, Beet Greens, Balloon Vines, Bok Choy, bananas, pears, apples, mangoes, and kale.
Do Iguanas Drink Water?
Iguanas drink water and also bathe in it. It is important to serve your iguana fresh, clean water in a huge bowl so it can take its bath after drinking. Iguanas can absorb water into their system through their skin. Hence skin absorption has as much effect as drinking with their mouth.
