page_title: Green iguana in captivity
section_title: Diet
hierarchical_section_title: Green iguana in captivity / Diet
caption_attribution_description: English: Green Iguana at the Vilas Park Zoo, Madison, Wisconsin. Français&#160;: Iguane vert au zoo de Vilas Park, Madison, Wisconsin.
context_page_description: The Green Iguana has become popular in the pet trade – over 800,000 animals were imported into the United States alone during 1995, primarily originating from captive farming operations based in their native countries. They can live to be 30 years old as reported by owners. In 1998 a National Iguana Awareness Day was established to discourage consumers from viewing iguanas as "disposable pets". Despite the low cost and "mass market" appeal of these animals they are demanding to care for properly over the course of their lifetimes. More often than not, diet, lighting, and other housing conditions for green iguana are inadequate, causing 70% of green iguanas in captivity to die within their first year of life.
context_section_description: Although they will consume a wide variety of foods if offered, green iguanas are naturally herbivorous and require a precise ratio of minerals (2 to 1 calcium to phosphorus) in their diet. The best food source for the Iguana is dark green leafy greens such as collard greens, turnip greens,  dandelion  greens and small portions of kale,  which is too high in phosphorus for everyday use. Hibiscus flowers and dandelions may also be added.  The diet needs to be a greater percentage of dark greens, moderate amount of squash, and less of fruits.  Some of the most accessible staple vegetables, greens, and fruit are collard greens, Turnip Greens, Kale, Parsnip, Butternut squash, Tomato, Mango, Blueberries, Watermelon, and an occasional Apple or Banana slice and Watercress as a treat.  Also of concern is the oxalate to calcium ratio, and avoiding those that provide too much oxalate which is harmful.  Foods high in oxalate that should not be given for an everyday diet include broccoli, carrots, snap peas, okra, sweet potato, and romaine lettuce.  An Iguana should never be fed iceberg lettuce or spinach.
  There is some debate as to whether captive green iguanas should be fed animal protein. Zoologists, such as Adam Britton, believe that such a diet containing protein is unhealthy for the animal's digestive system resulting in severe long-term health damage and death.  On the other side of the argument is that Green iguanas at the Miami Seaquarium in Key Biscayne, Florida, have been observed eating dead fish and individuals kept in captivity have been known to eat mice without any ill effects.  De Vosjoli also writes that some animals have been known to survive and thrive on eating nothing but whole rodent block, or monkey chow, and one instance of Romaine lettuce with vitamin and calcium supplements.  However, just because an Iguana will eat certain foods it does not mean this is what's best for it.  A protein or lettuce diet will greatly shorten the Iguana's life and for this reason should be avoided.
caption: An iguana at the Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison, Wisconsin
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