Iguana not eating

[robyn81478]

Hi there. We purchased a green iguana at the Ohio Reptile show in December. It’s a juvenile, very much not tame but we’re working on it. It was not my decision to get an iguana as we were there to get my daughter a ball python. Long story short, my son went off with my husband and came back with an iguana. We had him in a 20 gallon for a week, with proper lighting, heat, etc. while my husband custom built a large enclosure. While he was in the aquarium, he was eating, but would do so when no one was around. When we moved him to the new enclosure, he was still eating but now hasn’t for 3 days. I’m offering the same things, kale, collards, mustard greens, carrots, squash, peppers, parsnips, green beans and the occasional half a grape or strawberry or a small piece of apple. He has proper heat, water, UV and 3 days a week food dusted with calcium. His greens are in one bowl, his other veggies are in another. He’s still very green, doesn’t look thin, active, flighty when first picked up, alert, etc.

Any ideas why he suddenly would stop eating? At what point should I worry? We have leopard geckos and ball pythons and I’ve had iguanas but it’s been about 20 years and I’ve never had an issue with one eating.

[phenyx]

I don't know much about iguanas but don't they need some sort of protein as juveniles?

[robyn81478]

Originally Posted by phenyx

I don't know much about iguanas but don't they need some sort of protein as juveniles?

Nope. Iguanas are herbivores. He did eat some greens last night. But not a lot. Hopefully it was just the stress of the move and he’s coming out of it.

[kudzu]

Originally Posted by phenyx

I don't know much about iguanas but don't they need some sort of protein as juveniles?

Yes, but it needs to be plant based, not animal based protein.

[pet_snake_78]

What is the basking and ambient temperatures? Are you measuring them with a digital thermostat and temp gun? Do you see him basking and what percentage of the time is he basking. Check around the cage for windows, outlets, and baseboards that could be letting in a cold draft. What is the cage made up, can you post a photo. Have you had a fecal exam done on the iguana by a vet? I'm not up on the latest cutting edge care but I did raise one up for many, many years.