Green iguana enclosure size and setup

Green iguana at a glance

Minimum enclosure

120 × 60 × 72 inches305 × 152 × 183 cm, about 2244 gallons

Warm side

110-120°Fbasking surface

Cool side

75-85°F

Humidity

60-80%

UVB

Zone 3 to 4

Group

Lizards

Grows 5 to 7 feet long. Adult enclosures are nearly always custom-built. Basking figure is a surface temperature.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a green iguana need?

At least 120 × 60 × 72 inches (305 × 152 × 183 cm) for one adult, about 2244 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a green iguana enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 110-120°F and a cool side of 75-85°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. The warm figure is a surface temperature on the basking spot, measured with a temp gun. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a green iguana need?

60-80%. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a green iguana need UVB?

Yes, Zone 3 to 4, which runs from strong UVB, for regular sun baskers to very strong UVB, for full-sun baskers. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult green iguana?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: none of the standard sizes, so most keepers build or order a custom enclosure.

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your green iguana

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles