Sexual Maturity and Breeding:

Sexual maturity can be reached within two years but breeding usually does not occur until the third year in captivity. Females in Panama lay clutches of 23 to 60 eggs (mean 40) from late January to mid-March during the dry season. Hatchlings appear in 90 days at the start of the rainy season. Under artificial incubation at 80 to 95" F eggs hatch in approximately 93 days. Larger females lay larger clutches.

In captivity it is not uncommon for gravid female iguanas to become egg bound. This condition causes the iguana to stop eating but initially she remains quite active and otherwise seems fine. The iguana's abdomen may or may not appear swollen depending on the number of eggs she produced. Over a period of time the iguana will become more listless and weaker. Have your iguana checked by your veterinarian whenever you suspect a problem. Often your vet can palpate the eggs on examination and then verify the condition with X-rays. If the condition is diagnosed early, you may be able to stimulate egg laying by providing the right environment. This means correcting the temperature and humidity in her habitat, ensuring that the iguana is not disturbed and providing a sandbox where she can dig and lay her eggs. If the condition persists to the point that the iguana is becoming listless then more extensive medical therapy and surgery to spay the iguana may be indicated.

Housing

In captivity, iguanas grow rapidly (12 to 24 inches/year) reaching adult size within 2 to 3 years and can live ten to fifteen years if properly cared for. Owners should invest in a larger aquarium initially or be prepared to purchase a large one later. A 20 gallon aquarium would be good to start but within a few years most owners must build or purchase a large cage made of glass, plywood and/or screen. Wood should be sealed with a non-toxic sealant such polyurethane. Allow as much vertical space as is practical to accommodate their arboreal lifestyle. Iguanas live solitary lives in the wild except for breeding and ideally should be housed individually in captivity. Unfortunately, this general rule is not always followed and it is not uncommon for iguanas that have lived together for some time to suddenly become aggressive and tear into one another. For multiple iguana households, several smaller cages are preferable to one large communal cage. It is not advisable to give an iguana free roam of your house because of numerous hazards they can encounter. It is also difficult and uncomfortable to maintain the household environment at the proper temperature and humidity. Other pets, particularly cats, regard young iguanas as prey that must be attacked without hesitation.

Questions should be directed to our office, 502-245-7863