So we just worry that maybe we aren't doing things right. The biggest problem we see is that our iguana's back is turning brown. We've asked a friend and he says it could be him getting ready to shed. I know the constantly shed when they are young. When we got him about 3 weeks ago, he was shedding on the top of his head. Then last weekend we noticed he was turning brown down his back and tell. As far as how things are set up. We keep his basking area around 86-90, the cool side is usually 76-80. We have a heating pad underneath where his cave is to keep him warm at night. We feed him collard greens and spegghetti squash. And we keep two things of water, a larger dish and a small drinkin dish. We use a 29 gallon tank with a 75 watt basking bulb and a 26w 5.0 uvb Repti Glo bulb. Lately ive been taking him outside to soak in the actuall sun, thinkin maybe he just doesnt absord enough uvb and needs actual sunlight. It's just funny how we have a friend who has a 20 long tank, has two regular 40w basking bulbs, feeds his iguana carrots, apples, collard greens mixed together, and just bring the iguana outside for an hour every now and again (even brought him out when it was 60 out in the middle of the night, which we told him was a BAD idea), and is about 14 years old and doesn't really know a lot about taking care of an iguana and yet..... his looks so much brighter green and is slightly bigger than ours.. I just wonder what, if anything, we are doing wrong..

I would kick that basking spot up to 95-100, iguanas can turn a darker color when they are cold, it is a way for them to help retain heat. It is also known that as they are young it seems that they shed constantly, lol.
Also with the diet you need to feed more than just collard greens and squash, they require a very specific varied diet.
My suggestion to you would be to check out the Green iguana center caresheets on here and it goes into great explanation on their diet and requirements.
Why are you using the heating pad? Iguanas are not belly warmers.
Someone else will be here soon to add some more advice, Good Luck

I wouldn't advise against using the heating pad, but i'd keep it on the lowest setting so that he doesn't get cooked, just barely warmer than room temp. Igianas heat receptors are on ther backs so they don't know if they are cooking from below.
I'd also say it's time to update the cage, even a hatchling needs atleast 55g, with that still being a tight fit.
Being in a small cage might stress him a little bit too.
The natural sunlight is a good idea though, just make sure you keep a good hold on him!

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The heating pad is VERY low temp, and we put it in there mainly for humidity. We have been trying a variety of fruits, but he doesnt seem to like many types of fruits or maybe he just doesn't like the texture, because we fed him Mango one day, and he'd lick at it, pick it up and try to swallow it, but when he whipped his head to try to get it in his mouth, he'd give up and spit it out. Maybe a different diet will help. Any suggestions on what to feed him, and how much of what? As for the cage, we're going to build him one in a month or two, so no use in buying one just to get a bigger one later.

Hello,

Here are some food items:

http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...p=701&posted=1

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Thanks for the help with the food. I had a whole list from the greeniguanasociety.com, but i'll just refer to the link you gave me. It seems to be the same thing simplified..

The Green Iguana Society is a great resource. If they have a more indepth listing, by all means use it! lol We will be expanding to our listings as time permits.

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We are positive now that its time for him to shed again, because the skin is starting to peel at the base of his head, which is where his shedding stopped last time. So the brown is slowly turning a whitish, and peeling away! Which is a relief because we were worried for a moment. We also put in a higher watt lightbulb, and bought a better thermometer to assure that he is getting the correct heat. And we will keep an eye on him, and post if anything changes.

(he also go his first tub soak today, which he enjoyed for a while, but was a little scared I think, because he tryed getting out of the tub, after a few minutes, I picked him up and held him, and he was pretty calm, and didnt wiggle a lot)

Spraying him with water also will help out with the sheds until he gets used to a bath! Good luck! They grow quickly!

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Hello--

While I am no expert (but I have received "expert" advice from these forums in the past), I would like to suggest that you sprinkle his food with a reptile calcium supplement and a multivitamin if you aren't already doing so. Iguanas don't get the calcium they need from what we feed them in captivity so a supplement is necessary.

Also, during a visit to the small zoo in Erie, PA, I saw the beautiful adult iguana exhibit. The zoo provided an information sheet that tells you what he eats, and on alternate days, they feed him scrambled eggs. I have read conflicting messages about eggs in an iguana's diet, but I do give them to Rocky every now and then, and he really likes them! However, he mainly gets his mixed greens, carrots and fruits every day. His color varies throughout the day, but he is most green when he is sitting on my front steps catching a ray of sunlight.

Hope this helps!

--Doreen