Pet Iguana Cost

So, what is the best answer to give when someone asks you this incomplete question – pet iguana cost? The most common prices that come up when one wants to buy a pet iguana are in the range of $10 to $3000. This is dependent on the gender you wish to get and the specific breed. Platforms like Backwaterreptiles.com have many iguanas you can choose from. The most common species – the green iguana – can cost you at least $20. The price may get tweaked depending on the size, gender, and age of the iguana.

That there is a succinct and powerful answer to this very extensive question. In that case, therefore, the article will give you a complete breakdown of pet iguana costs. It will bring to your special attention to the various breeds, and you will get info on the extra expenses that arise. As a perfect way to finish, the article will also include a pros-cons section to see if having an iguana for a pet is viable or not. Now, it is time to take down this reptilian subject! 

The Complete Breakdown Of Pet Iguana Costs

In the years that have passed, these reptiles called iguanas have had their popularity grow massively. They are arguably the most beloved pet reptiles on the Western side of the world. They have a dinosaur-like appearance and have a certain majesty. Many people who love lizards love this creature. So, if you’re thinking about getting this large lizard, you are A-Okay with your newfound love.

The first thing that many people think about before they get a pet is its cost. No pet does not have a charge associated with it. This is because you need to buy it (or adopt). Also, you need to feed, house, and take care of it. But before you make any forward-moving step to take pet responsibilities up, it is smart and prudent to do some basic, light research and see if you are ready to commit financially. In your research, you should uncover all the associated costs so that you don’t meet any unexpected ones when you make your moves. The worst that could happen is this: you may buy the iguana and find out that you lack the proper financial muscle to take care of it.

But that won’t happen because you’re in the right place. This post will give you a complete and detailed breakdown of any and all costs associated with getting a pet iguana. You will get opened up to the upfront prices and the other recurring expenses you may have to consider. Because of your love for these majestic creatures, we shall take two routes. On the one hand, we will look at purchasing the iguana, and on the other hand, we will look at the adoption option. This kind of trajectory will give us a complete overview of pet iguana costs. Let’s roll!

The Pricy Price Of A Pet Iguana

As mentioned in the kicker, the price of these large lizards is dependent on several variables. The first and most vital thing you need to do is decide whether you will go for adoption or make a purchase. Usually, buying a pet iguana is less costly than going for adoption, but the situation may change if you go on a case by case scenario.

Between the different iguana species, you will find pricing disparities. For example, rare iguana species are likely to be costlier than the more popular ones. Of the many iguanas that I have come across, the most expensive was a young albino without-scales iguana, and the price tag was a whopping $3000, but that one is an outlier. The bottom line is that most iguana species are quite affordable.

For a little while, look away from the range I gave in the kicker ($20 to $3000). If you omit the outlier and include other cheaper breeds, the price range is between $10 and $560. The most common iguana species is the green iguana, and the most expensive is the rhino iguana. I bet you know their specific prices by just looking at the price range.

Getting An Iguana Via Adoption 

Depending on your situation, you can either adopt an iguana for $75 or get it for free. People who go for adoption often get a fully grown iguana and not a baby or a hatchling.  One of the benefits of going for adoption is that you will give the reptile a loving home. Many people who put their iguanas up for adoption do so because the iguana’s immense size intimidates them.

When iguanas are babies, there are cutely small. However, and in no time, they become massive and bear a formidable size. Apart from the intimidation, an adult iguana calls for a lot of responsible handling. Unfortunately, not many iguana owners are ready to handle an animal that is almost 7 feet long. So, they either put them up for adoption or release them out to the wild. The latter is an option that you should never go for.

Purchasing An Iguana

Buying an iguana is the most common way to get it. As mentioned early, the price range is vast when it comes to paying for iguanas. A little green hatchling will bear a $10 price, while a baby rhino will need you to pay up $550. Now, let us look at and focus on the costs of the most popular iguana types.

1. The Price Of The Green Iguana

The most common iguana is the baby green one and is also the cheapest. You can get one green baby iguana at $10 or $25 for 3 of them (more for less). The highest that the green iguana price can go is $55.

2. The Price Of The Red Iguana

Depending on wherever you buy it, the red iguana will cost you between $50 and $110. This one lizard is slightly more expensive than the green iguana.

3. The Price Of The Blue (Or The Axanthic) Iguana

The prices get higher as this list develops. This is because the blue iguana price is between $80 and $190. This more-expensive iguana has an attractive blue shade that many iguana lovers don’t get to see very often. At some point, this species was on the brink of extinction as it only had 15 of them alive and out in the wild. Things changed, and the situation was stabilized. Now, there are more blue iguanas in captivity.

4. The Price Of the Rhino Iguana

Of all pet iguanas, the most popular one is the rhino iguana. Its price range is between $500 and $600, and this range can be justified. These iguanas are a little too expensive because they are the easiest to train and are very docile.

Where To Buy An Iguana

I wouldn’t advise you to walk into a pet shop and get an iguana. Most pets in pet shops are usually in poor health, have parasites, and are overly stressed. They will be cheaper, but things may take a toll on you in the long run. You may be forced to pay more vet bills and other expenses. The point here is that you should get your pet iguana from a reliable breeder.

Also, some pet shops are not run by animal experts. So, you are likely to be misled about the size of the iguana while they are young. Thus, many owners will get surprised by how huge the iguana grows and will feel like it is too much. I have mentioned something like 7 feet, but here is what you should prepare for. An adult iguana will weigh up to 20 pounds and be 6 feet long.

Pet Iguana Cost Determinants

While it is true that different iguana kinds command different prices, they are several other factors that come to play when the price of a pet iguana is being determined. Here they are:

1. Is The Iguana A Hatchling Or A Baby?

There is a significant price difference depending on whether you are getting a baby iguana or a hatchling. More often than not, it is less costly to get a hatchling, meaning that baby iguanas are more expensive. This difference stands because it is believed that babies are already accustomed to humans and are well socialized than hatchlings.

2. Was The Iguana Bred In Captivity, Or Was It Caught In The Wild?

Iguanas that have been bred in captivity are likely to be more expensive than those caught in the wild. The reason behind this is quite apparent – the ones bred in captivity tend to be friendlier with humans than the wild ones. Also, it means that an iguana owner will take more time to train a wild one. 

3. Which Iguana Is On Demand?

This concept of microeconomics makes its way into this read. Let’s take a look at the blue iguanas. The reason why they are more expensive than their green friends is because of supply and demand. There is less supply but high demand for the blue iguanas than the green ones. This makes the prices go up.

The Housing Costs Associated With Keeping Iguanas

Before you walk into a pet store (argh) or a breeder to get the iguana, it is obvious that you should have gotten the enclosure ready. Unfortunately, you are likely to get a substandard item if you go to a pet store. If you do, the enclosure will only accommodate the iguanas when they are babies or hatchlings. The iguanas will eventually outgrow the cages, which will be too small and incapable of moisture retention. So, you can either go for one that is custom made or build it yourself.

An enclosure that is custom made for a pet iguana can be extremely expensive. I’m talking about spending at least $4000. The less costly option is to build it yourself. The cost will change depending on the size of the enclosure and the materials you will use. The range for a self-built enclosure is between $150 and $1000 (or more if you want to go fancy with the iguana project). You only need a building plan for the enclosure, and those can be found online.

Electricity And Iguanas

To create a good place for your iguana to live, you need to pay some amount. The cost incurred will be dependent on the area where you live. If you live in a climate that is the same as the iguana’s natural habitat, you will not spend more than you would if you lived in a cold environment.

The iguana will need you to recreate the ideal amount of light, humidity, and temperature. The reason why this detailing is essential is that the iguana needs to thrive. Since all the tweaks you will make involve electricity, you should be ready to pay between $10 and $20 every month.

Feeding Iguanas Cost

Now that you know the price tag of an iguana and how its housing will cost you, it is time to look at the recurring expenses around feeding the iguana. Newsflash – it is not very expensive.

You are likely to spend around $10 every month on the iguana’s food. Of course, this figure is expected to change depending on the place you stay and how food costs there. Still, the $10-a-month estimate is a good one. If you didn’t know, iguanas are primarily herbivores. This means that the bulk of this reptile’s diet will consist of fruits and vegetables. Mainly, iguanas eat kale and collard greens, which are not expensive. Those veggies should be combined with some fruits.

Vet Iguana Cost

The other very important thing that you should always have in mind is the vet costs. The much that you will spend depends on pure luck and how well you take care of the iguana’s health. If your iguana is tough and does not get sick, the costs will not rack up. But you should be aware that urgent medical care might be costly – upwards of $3000.

If you choose to go for regular check-ups, I would advise you to budget between $200 and $300 every year for each iguana you have. As an extra, I will list some symptoms that are likely to be manifested by the iguana when it is sick or has an infection: twitching, vomiting, lack of energy, loss of balance, and appetite.

Miscellaneous Iguana Costs

As is with other pets, iguanas will need some entertainment so that they don’t get bored. So you will need to get your reptilian friend some toys. Also, other accessories that you will include are food dishes and a water bowl.

The cost of the toys is dependent on what you exactly want to get them. The best toy is a small pool for them to exercise their swimming skills. Your iguana won’t say, but it will love the gift since they will get a chance to exercise their natural behavior. The small pool will also serve as a coolant because summers will be hot.  Instead of going for something expensive, get a kid’s pool (the inflatable kind) and put it on your balcony or backyard. The item will cost you between $25 and $40.

The water bowl will need you to spend about $10 and the feeding one something between $5 and $25. You may also need a carrier that will help you carry the iguana to the vet, and that will cost you at least $30. The miscellaneous expenses add up to something between $100 and $200.

And that’s it – all the cost details have been brought to your attention. You should be in a better place now in terms of getting your pet iguana. Now, it is time to look at the iguana pros and cons.

Iguanas As Pets: The Pros And Cons

People who love reptiles find iguanas very appealing. Since they can’t have Komodo dragons at their places, having the lizards is good enough. Iguanas are by far the most beloved lizards among pet lovers.

As mentioned elsewhere in this article, the green iguana is very popular – its popularity goes beyond its natural South and Central American habitats. If you’re thinking of getting a pet iguana, it would be best if you knew what exactly you would be dealing with. In this final part of this reptilian article, we will give a particular focus to the pros and cons of keeping and having iguanas as pets.

The Pros

1. The Iguana’s Lifespan Is Impressive

In captivity, this lizard can live and grow up to 20 years. If you love sticking to one pet for a long time, having an iguana will ensure that that happens. However, you need to guarantee the animal’s longevity by taking care of it well.

2. You Can Quickly Meet The Diet Of An Iguana

If you’re not in the mood of eating up your salad, your pet iguana will love having it, and they will be very grateful. In the wild, iguanas enjoy flowers, veggies, fruits, and leaves. So, it would help if you replicated this herbivorous diet in captivity.

Their diet, however, is dependent on their age. Fully-grown iguanas will eat less as compared to young ones. Many pet stores put it out that young iguanas should eat insects like crickets to get animal protein. They are wrong in all senses because the information is scientifically inaccurate. No matter how old the iguana is, its digestive system will not be prepared to break down animal protein; it can be fatal since they can develop kidney problems.

If you’re looking for more precise details on what to feed your pet iguana, the best person to ask is your vet. As an expert, they will recommend the best food items.

3. Without A Doubt, Iguanas Have Strong Builds 

If you thought that iguanas are delicate, you are mistaken. You will find them looking like some tiny dinosaurs. Their teeth rest on strong jaws, and they have looks that resemble those of the Godzilla. Their tails are strong and long, and they have sharp claws.

If you want to keep your pet iguana in an enclosure situated in the outdoors, you shouldn’t worry about leaving it alone as it won’t quickly get hurt. Your reptilian friend will love climbing the trees in your yard. If you like agile and strong pets, this pro should win you over, and you should get an iguana.

The Cons

1. The Size Of A Grown-Up Iguana Can Be Intimidating

In America, iguanas are arguably the largest lizards as they can measure up to 72 inches, that is, from their tails to their head’s tip. As mentioned elsewhere, iguanas can weigh about 20 pounds. While some reptile enthusiasts see this as a pro, many others take it as a con.

The large sizes of the reptiles leave pet owners with no other choice than to get terrariums or large tanks to fit the long tails. Even if you saw a small iguana at the store, do not think that it will remain that way for life. So, if you don’t have an enclosure or terrarium that is big enough, don’t go for an iguana.

2. It Is Expensive To Take Care Of And Accommodate An Iguana

As you may have picked out in the pet iguana cost section, housing these large reptiles is by no means an easy job. For an iguana to live a good life, they need you to organize excellent living arrangements for them. Also, you will need to optimize the environment to ensure that the lizards get accommodate. This may call on you to get special lighting and humidifiers. Also, vets who deal with exotic pets are not very much, meaning their demand is high. Thus, their prices may not be very accommodative.

3. The Iguana Has Many Health Concerns

Without a doubt, it is correct to stay that iguanas demand and need constant attention and care. It is incorrect to think that because the reptiles have sturdy looks, they don’t have their fair share of medical and health issues.

Many iguanas in captivity often develop a condition called MBD, or the Metabolic Bone Disease, which weakens their bones, provoking early death and deformities. This disease usually comes when UVB and UVA lights are insufficiently provided to the lizard. These are components (from natural sunlight) that the iguana uses to make the D3 vitamin that metabolizes calcium. If your iguana cannot get natural sunlight because of one reason or the other, you can buy special UV bulbs.

Unfortunately, other medical issues affect iguana, such as those of the respiratory system. If you are a loving owner, you need to pay keen attention to your iguana so that it has a happy and long life. If you don’t have the money or the time to take care of the health concerns, it would be best if you don’t go for an iguana.