Symptoms of Stress in a Green Iguana

The green iguana requires a specialized environment and care, as well as a commitment to providing the attention he needs. You can ensure the health of your reptile pet by monitoring his health for symptoms of stress that indicate a poor diet or improper temperature. Early intervention to remedy the situation can prevent the loss of your pet.

  1. Basic Care

    • Green iguanas come from Central and South America and require the same warm temperatures and ultraviolet sunlight found in those areas. They also need structures on which they can climb and bask. Green iguanas are vegetarians, so they need a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in calcium for good health, according to Dr. Jenni Bass of the Petplace website. Any variance from these requirements can cause stress in the iguana with a variety of symptoms that should cause you to take note and correct the problem as soon as possible.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Like other animals, the green iguana can respond to stressful conditions by refusing to eat. This loss of appetite can be a direct result of feeding the animal unsuitable foods, such as animal proteins. Though normal shedding can cause a decrease in appetite in green iguanas, investigate any change in eating habits at other times to ensure that the animal is receiving the right nutrition for his needs.

    Digestive Problems

    • Diarrhea or constipation can be symptoms of stress in green iguanas. A change in diet is the most common cause, but other factors can cause digestive reactions in iguanas. A break in potty training can signal resentment in the animal for some change in the household or routine. Try to keep changes down to a minimum and ensure that the animal̵7;s daily routine remains predictable as much as possible.

    Attitude Changes

    • Any change from normal behavior can be a symptom of stress in the iguana. Take note of sudden aggressive behavior, irritability, clingy behavior, excessive sleeping or lethargy. Even simple things such as changing the environment in the tank or the room, moving the tank or a change in his daily routine can cause stress reactions in iguanas.

    Seeking Cold Places

    • When your green iguana seeks out colder, darker places, he is telling you he is unhappy and possibly ill. The problem may be something as simple as entering a shedding period or it can be a more serious issue. Review the iguana̵7;s diet, tank environment and household routine to ensure that changes are kept to a minimum. If the behavior continues, take a stool specimen to your vet to determine if parasites or other problems are at fault.

    Repetitive Behaviors

    • Repetitious behavior such as constant digging or head bumping against objects is a tension-relieving behavior. Changes in daily schedule or the number of members in the household can cause stress that the animal tries to relieve by repeated movements.