Most people want something small, fuzzy, and cute when considering pet adoption. But it may surprise you that the world is full of reptile-lovers; more often than not, people want eccentric and exciting pets. If you have a bit of an unconventional taste in pets, then you may have been drawn to Iguanas at some point in your life.
Whether or not Iguanas make good pets depends on your criteria for a good pet. They may not give the traditional pet experience or be the best for cuddles, but for reptile enthusiasts, they are a great choice. They are easy to feed and enjoyable to keep.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of keeping Iguanas as pets.
What Makes Iguanas A Good Pet
Here are three arguments for iguanas being good pets
They Are Easy To Feed
Most reptiles want a diet of bugs, insects, and creepy crawlies. With Iguanas, this is a non-issue. These reptiles are herbivores by nature and would eat plants, flowers, and seeds. This means you don’t need to go out of your way to look for insects to feed your pet; you can just feed it the leftover salad in your fridge.
They Live A Long Life
Iguanas are tricky little creatures. They don’t get injured easily. They can fall from great heights and be perfectly okay after. Most Iguanas have a lifespan of 20 or so years. So you won’t have to worry about your pet dying on you quickly.
They Are Active
Some reptiles are lazy and do nothing at all. This is not true in the case of Iguanas. Iguanas are incredibly playful, especially during the day. They are a pet that can keep you entertained.
What Makes Iguanas Bad pets
Here are 3 arguments against iguanas being good pets
They Are Expensive
These pets are not the most affordable. Definitely not as affordable as cats and dogs. They require a suitable environment to survive in. They have specific temperature, humidity, and lighting needs. You also need ample space to keep them.
Not The Most Friendly
It is generally not ideal or advised against attempting to cuddle with your pet iguana. Nor should you pet its head. Iguanas usually don’t like such advances.
They Are Large In Size
Iguanas can be as large as 50-72 inches and weigh as much as 20 pounds. This makes it hard for them to be transportable. They also occupy a little too much space. Probably not ideal if you don’t have that much space in your living room.
In Conclusion
Whether or not Iguanas are an excellent pet depends on what you want from a pet. They are not the most conventional choice. Their maintenance is also complex and expensive. But at the same time, they can be an exciting choice for reptile enthusiasts and are generally more accessible and fun than most other reptiles.
If you like yourself a challenge, then they might just be the right choice for you!
