The Green Iguana

I have decided to do 7 profiles on 7 different reptiles that I would one day like to own and take care of.
So, as the title suggests, profile #1 will be on the Green Iguana, one of the most popular pets in the U.S.

When you enter into a pet store and go to the reptiles section, you will usually find a foot long Iguana (including the tail). As babies, they need at least a 40 gallon tank with the proper amount of light, temperature, 8 plants, and heat. Lets look at a list of what will be needed for a baby Iguana and what it would cost:

1. Cage--40 gallon minimum for baby (usually $100 dollars)
2. Substrate--Newspaper, Coconut bark, Paper Towels (Coconut bark is about $15 to fill a 40g tank) 
3. Water Bowl--One big enough to bath in (depends usually around $20)
4. Heat Lamp--One for Basking ($10)
5. Heat Lamp--Ceramic Heat ($10)
6. Bulbs for basking--you are going to want to buy back-ups so 2 at a time (each bulb=$10)
7. Bulbs for Ceramic Heat--again buy at least one back up bulb (each bulb=$10)
8. Heat Pad--you want the one that says it's for 40g tanks ($20)
9. Branches(bought at store)--you want multiple as Iguanas love to climb ($30)
10. Plants(fake)--a couple big enough for hiding($20)
11. 2 Hides (a cold side and warm side)-- wood hides for warm and rock for cold ($30)
12. Temperature and Humidity Gage--($15 for all three 2temp and 1 humidity)

That's a lot of items to take care of before the actual purchase of the Iguana! Remember that 40g tank won't last that long! Before I move onto why I don't currently own one, I want to touch on food. For food, Green Iguanas typically eat dark leafy greens, apples, bananas, cantaloupe, and various other vegetables. (This will not change throughout the Iguana's lifetime!)

Ok. Adult Green Iguanas: 

Really, the only thing that you will need for an adult Green Iguana is a bigger cage (12 feet wide x 15 feet long x 6 feet high) Honestly, that is why I don't currently own one :) If you need a picture...try to imagine a 6 foot long Iguana that has taken over a good amount of space in your house. You will also need more plants and branches. As well as a bigger heat source :)