Iguanas are very unique, beautiful and intelligent lizards. While there are many types of iguanas, not all of them are suitable to be kept as pets (some are in danger of extinction). In this post, we will discuss iguana pet types and types of green iguanas – morphs and colors.
Not all iguana species are suitable as pets!
There are many types of iguanas, and most of them require different living conditions. Please note, that many iguanas are endangered and their population is decreasing. This makes them bad pets to keep – they will be expensive and might require a license to keep.
Make sure to only support responsible breeders that sell captive bred animals, and not wild caught animals. That only worsens the situation with decreasing populations. On top of it, most larger species iguanas are hard to tame if they are wild. It is always to good to get a juvenile, and work with it for taming.
Some iguanas are not suitable as pets at all – because you won’t be able to provide them with the living conditions that they need. This includes large and stunning Marine Iguanas, which must live by the salt waters at all times and eat algae.
Some other species are also threatened, but can be found for sale at high prices. If you decide to get an iguana like this, make sure you can meet all the requirement first. Most of these iguanas are only for advanced keepers (rock and rhino iguanas, for examples).
Galapagos Land Iguana (Conolophus sp)
A Galapagos land iguana is also stunning, and looks like a marine iguana. They only live on Galapagos islands, same as Marine iguanas. You will not be able to buy a Galapagos island iguana because they are threatened species, just like Marine iguanas.
Iguana pet types
Green iguana (Iguana Iguana)
Green iguana is the most common species of iguana pets. They get big – around 5-7 feet long, require a big cage, high temperatures and humidity. Green iguanas are herbivores – eating only greens, flowers, vegetables and fruits.
Your iguana will need a vertical cage – and lots of taming in the beginning. If tamedd, they make excellent pets.
Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
A desert iguana is a smaller type of an iguana that is mostly grey/white (with some spots) and lives in sandy deserts. Just like green iguanas, desert iguanas need mainly a herbivore diet and high temperatures.
But they are much smaller than green iguanas and only reach 16-17 inches long (40-43 cm). They are not too easy to find for sale.
Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus)
Stunning Fiji Banded iguanas are green in color, but lack large spikes. Other species in the genus of Brachylophus include Fiji Crested Iguana, Central Fiji Banded Iguana and Gau Island Iguana.
They need high temperatures, herbivore diet and a vertical cage. Fiji Iguanas are endangered species, so will be hard to find for sale.
Cuban Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila)
A Cuban rock iguana is a large and bulky iguana. They are also in danger of extinction. Cuban rock iguanas live for around 60 years if kept in proper conditions.
They are also calm and inquisitive when tame. Similarly to green iguanas, they need to eat vegetables, fruits and other greens and will need a large cage. Rock iguanas can reach 4-5 feet and need to eat 2-4 times a week.
Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi)
Blue iguanas are also in danger of extinction, so can be hard to find. Grand Cayman iguanas are not easy to keep and would only suit advanced keepers. There are also Lewisi hybrids for sale.
These iguanas are large, need lots of space – so it can be hard to keep them inside of the house. They also eat mainly vegetables and greens, and will need a set of UVB and heating lights. Blue iguanas live long lives if looked after properly.
Rhinoceros iguanas (Cyclura cornuta)
Rhino iguanas are very stunning, but are also quite endangered. These iguanas also live long lives, eat primarily greens and vegetables and have high lighting and heating requirements.
Rhino iguanas are definitely for advanced keepers – they are not easy to care for and need lots of space. But Rhino iguanas are definitely gorgeous and remind of the dinosaurs!
Spiny Tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura spp)
Spiny tailed iguanas are also in the family of iguanas – Iguanidae. There are different species of spiny tailed iguanas that are amazingly beautiful and can be kept as pets. They originate from Mexico and Central America.
Ctenasaura similis and Ctenosaura quinquecarinata (club iguana),
Ctenosaura pectinata (Mexican spiny tailed iguana) are popular as pets. Spiny tailed iguanas can be of different sizes, and also need a herbivore diet and high temperatures.
Chukwalla (Sauromalus sp)
Chuckwallas are also a part of the iguana family – these iguanas primarily inhabit Mexico and southwestern United States. They live in hot rocky areas and islands. They grow to reach around 15 inches long and are thick – so require a big cage and proper heating. Wild animals can be hard to tame.
Chuckwallas are herbivores and will need to eat a variety of vegetables, fruits and greens. Sauromalus ater is the most common type of Chuckwalla, as are Angel Island chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) and more.
Green Iguana Morphs
Green iguana morphs are same as green iguanas, but they have been bred selectively to develop vivid coloration. These morphs require the same type of care that green iguanas.
Classic green iguana
Green iguana is the wild type iguana. Green iguanas tend to be very bright green as hatchlings and babies. But with age, they turn more orange and grey.
Red iguana morph
These red iguana morph show true red colors on the body, head and tail. However, most red iguanas have the green belly – which actually makes them even more beautiful. There are different types of red coloration – brick red, flame red, rust red and similar.
Blue iguana, or Axanthic Blue Iguana
Blue, or Axanthic iguanas are very beautiful, often of the bright blue or turquoise color.
Albino iguana (Albino T positive, or T+)
These albino iguanas look yellow, and are truly beautiful. With age, they often become more orange and develop orange or yellow spots and lines. Their eyes are bright in color – pink or light brown.
Albino iguana (Albino T negative, or T-)
Albino T negative iguanas also have a yellow skin coloration as T+, but they also have pink stripes and lines on their body that T+ do not have. They look like Hypo iguanas, but their markings are brighter.
Hypomelanistic iguana
Hypomelanistic morphs lack most of the black pigmentation (skin color). This makes hypo iguanas yellow in color – some can even develop red markings, making them visual hypos.
Snow iguana, or Blizzard iguana
Snow, or Blizzard iguanas, are truly white in color. Their whole body is white. Blizzard iguana has been created by breeding blue (axanthic) iguana with a T- albino. Snow iguanas are completely white in color.
White head iguana from Central America
While this is not a ‘desinger’ morph, white head iguanas do have a beautifully colored white head with markings. Their body color is normal, and only the head is white. White head iguanas originate from Central America. There are also grey head iguanas, which have the grey head color.
Orange color green iguana from Mexico
Iguanas that are originally from Mexico, appear more orange. Their spikes, especially, look very orange. Stunning!
Red color green iguana from Costa Rica
Iguanas that are originally from western parts of Costa Rica, tend to be more red in color. Some even have a red colored head only.
Iguana from around the Caribbean islands
Iguanas from around the Caribbean islands, such as Bonaire, Grenada, Aruba tend to be of different stunning colors! These can range from black, white and lavender, brown and pink. What stunning iguanas they are!
Some juvenile iguanas also tend to be bright green, with brown stripes, dots, and markings. These tend to disappear with age.
There are many more morph projects, and more iguana morphs are expected to hit the market. These include albino red, black, caramel iguana and more!
Please also note that green iguana morphs might not have an ideal eyesight, especially albinos. This is because they lack pigmentation, so will have trouble seeing in the bright light. Some breeders say though, that it can make them calmer and more docile.
Please think twice if you really need to buy an expensive morph, as they are many green iguanas waiting to be adopted in foster homes!
You can find all about green iguana care on this page.