Once again, my anger rears it ugly head as I walk into a pet store and hear the worker there informing a human green iguana "parent" that they should feed their little baby lettuce and the hideous dry pellet food and top it all off with some tasty crickets!Please, people, before you buy an iguana..make sure you do your research on the proper diet and care of an iguana. They are NOT the ideal pet for a child. They are NOT the ideal pet for an adult who doesn't want to put a lot of work into their care.
Iguanas have very distinct dietary needs, that being a diet that is an approximate ratio of 2.8:1 protein to phosphorus. They need heat under their bellies to digest their food. They need UVB lighting to stimulate their digestive system. Without these three elements, their bodies cannot process the protein even if they get the right amount. Please do the research! If you don't care to do the research, don't buy an iguana.
Most of all...don't rely on the pet store people to know what the heck they are talking about. I know there are good people...but this has now been 100% of pet stores I have entered to hear the employees misinforming the buyers of the iguanas. Take this quick quiz to see if you are prepared and willing enough to own one of these amazing creatures.