What Can Infant Iguanas Eat?

Iguanas are folivores which means they consume mainly leaves in the wild. These vegetarian reptiles possess specific microbes to digest their high-fiber diet and the majority of their captive diet should be made up of leafy vegetables. An infant iguana which does not receive the correct nutrition will develop swollen extremities, a rubbery jaw and ongoing bone fractures, all of which can be fatal. Infant iguanas should be introduced to as many different food items as possible, to prevent them from developing food preferences and thereby experiencing nutritional deficiencies.

  1. General Dietary Considerations

    • Over 80 percent of this reptile's diet should consist of green cabbage, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelions, clover, watercress, savoy, kohlrabi, parsley and escarole. The darker, outer leaves are always more nutritious and should never be discarded. Spinach contains oxalates that bind dietary calcium and should be offered only infrequently, while cauliflower, cabbage, kale and broccoli bind iodine, which results in thyroid problems and should be avoided.

    Frozen Vegetables

    • Between 10 and 15 percent of the iguana's diet should be made up of frozen vegetables. These can include carrots, both green and red peppers, squash, cucumber, sprouts, cooked sweet potato, green beans, mushrooms and asparagus. Parsnips, corn, spineless cactus pads and peas can also be included in the diet. A variety of grasses and weeds can also be offered.

    Fruit

    • Infant iguanas readily accept fruits, but as most are poor in minerals, they should not be offered exclusively but can be included each day, along with various vegetables. Figs are high in calcium which iguanas, particularly growing animals, require and are therefore an important addition to the diet of infants. Apricots and dates are also readily accepted. Fruit and other food items should be diced up to suit the size of iguana. Infant iguanas should be offered finely cut pieces of fruit that they can easily take into their mouth.

    Commercial Iguana Diets, Flowers and Supplements

    • These commercial diets are normally well balanced, but should ideally still be offered together with fresh vegetables and fruit. Iguanas typically obtain their dietary water from their food and for this reason, dry pellets should not be offered exclusively on any day. Various flowers, including dandelions, hibiscus flowers, nasturtiums, geraniums and rose petals can also be offered. These reptiles need a diet higher in calcium than phosphorus and any supplements that are included in their diet should have a positive calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.