Iguanas are unique creatures, and their skin color is also very unique and vibrant. In this post, we will discuss if iguanas can change color, why iguana is turning orange, brown, yellow and the reasons why iguanas change color.
Do iguanas change color like chameleons?
Iguanas do not change colors as intensively as chameleons, but depending on the environment, mood, time of the year and health, iguana can change colors. Also, green iguanas tend to get darker with age, while red, blue and yellow green iguana morphs get their vivid coloring more prominent with age.
Why is my iguana orange?
Iguanas, both males (especially) and females, might turn orange during the breeding season, to become more visible to possible mates and the color might stay for longer after the season has finished. Some iguanas stay orange when they feel dominant – especially when they are free roaming or if there are other pets in the house.
Why is my iguana changing colors?
Iguanas might be changing colors when they feel cold or hot, when they are stressed, sick, shedding, during the mating season and more. Changing skin color helps iguanas dominate or perform bodily functions more efficiently.
- Before shedding, specific spots that are getting ready to shed will be becoming milky white in color. Iguanas shed every 4-5 weeks, but babies and juveniles – more often.
- If your iguana got burnt, its skin will turn bluish and black, and then will dry and become dark brown to black. Straight after the burn, the skin might also look pink and lose all the scales.
- Males will become very bright orange during the breeding season, especially alpha males. Females tend to become orange as well, but not as bright. The orange coloring might stay for longer than few months, as well. Some iguanas also tend to get some orange coloration with age.
- Genetics. There are genetic variations of iguana coloration, some can be yellow, reddish, grey and some more turquoise. These iguanas are also bred selectively to have these colors (morphs) – the colors will become more prominent with age. Belly is usually the last to drop the green color. However, some baby colors might also disappear with age (such as turquoise on the back or around the head).
Why is my iguana turning brown?
- Your iguana is getting older. All green iguanas tend to turn dark green with age. Baby iguanas are very bright green, but they often get more brown through the years. Some iguanas tend to become orange-brown already by the age of 1.5-2 years. Don’t forget that older iguanas will also develop stripes, zigzags and other markings.
- Low temperatures. Iguanas tend to get darker quickly when they get cold, because this will attract more heat. The dark coloration passes once iguana is warm again. Very hot iguanas become light in color.
- Stress. Iguanas tend to get darker when they are stressed. Some will have their stripes get darker, not the whole body. In iguanas, stress can be caused due to lack of supplies in the tank, small cage, other lizards or pets, improper diet and more.
- Skin infections. If your iguana has a fungal or bacterial skin infection, you might see some brown or dark spots. These areas can be crusty, peeling off or raised.
- Mites. On iguanas, mites are dark or red colored spots on the surface or under the scales of the skin.
- Your iguana is sick. If your iguana becomes of a muddy, dull, yellow, or grey color, it could be sick. Do not hesitate to show your iguana to the vet if there any other symptoms, such as lethargy, weight loss, twitching, limb dragging or else.
Why is my iguana turning yellow?
- Your iguana might become yellow if it has a liver disease. If your iguanas has a liver disorder, its mucous membranes – such as the mouth, will appear yellow.
- If your iguana is turning yellow, it might be suffering from an infection.
- Iguanas can also appear slightly yellow before shedding – iguanas shed in patches rather than in one go. Patches will get yellow-white one by one.
- There is a green iguana morph albino – and it has a bright yellow coloration.
With time, you will learn your iguana’s colors when it is relaxed vs. when it is stressed. Make sure to always to remember small details about color changes as they can clearly indicate an illness, too.
If you would like to learn more about different spots on iguana’s skin – such as white, yellow, black, brown spots – you will benefit from reading this post.