My Iguana has Turned Brown, Help?

Question

Okay, my Iguana is about 9/10 months old. And I've just moved into a new apartment. I haven't changed his heat lamps since I've had them and the only reason I could think of for his color change would be the drop in temperature just recently. It went from 60 degrees out to 47 degrees. I'm trying to figure out what I could do to help him change back to his natural Green. If anyone has ever gone through these same issues with their Iguanas I would really appreciate some tips and advice. I want to make sure I have a healthy Iguana.
Would putting blankets and sheets in his tank help any?

Thanks, Jess

Answer 1

Iguana color change has a lot to do with BAD husbandry or sickness. Inadequate enclosures, lacking diets, stress, no UV... (Males do turn brownish-orange with age but an iguana so young should not be discolored at all.)



**Temperature is very Important! Iguanas are tropical lizards and it should NEVER be colder than 75*F in the enclosure, ever. You should have at least a digital thermometer with probe in the basking shelf and your lamps on a thermostat, never guess! This may not be the cause for him being brown, but I think you'd be pretty stressed if you got sat outside at 47* with just a towel. :/ **



Even so, it's very hard to tell if your care is to the "T" when you don't give the specifics. Describe his entire housing from dimension, lights to flooring and the diet you're feeding currently. And get a thermometer.

Answer 2

If you haven't changed his heat lamps since you've had him, that's probably a major cause of the problem right there. UVB lights need to be replaced every 6 months. And most people need to add an additional heat source in the winter. I also suspect enclosure size could be an issue here. I'm not trying to jump to conclusions, but I can't fathom a proper iguana setup in an apartment. An adult iguana needs an enclosure literally the size of a small room or walk in closet, about 6 feet long, 3 feet deep, and 6 feet tall.

Answer 3

How big is your enclosure? At the size your iguna is right now I don't think anything smaller than 100 gallon aquarium would be suitable, ideally your iguana should be in a 6 ft by 6 ft enclosure at this point. Also, what are your exact measurements of humidity and heat (in and out of the basking spot) What are you feeding him?

Answer 4

Try getting a new light bulb, however, if that doesn't help improve his color, I would recommend taking him to a vet and getting him checked out!