Fiji Iguana Care Sheet

Fiji Iguanas (Brachylophus fasciatus) are strikingly beautiful, rare, and highly protected reptiles native to the islands of Fiji. These arboreal lizards are known for their vivid lime green colouration with blue or white banded markings, strong climbing abilities, and shy but sweet and gentle nature. Due to their conservation status, they are primarily found in zoological institutions and specialized breeding programs. We are incredibly lucky here in Canada to have a handful of very dedicated captive breeders that are able to slowly release these animals into other dedicated captive keepers' care.

Care sheets are only to be taken as guidelines. Just as with all animals, each reptile will have unique traits and personalities special to the individual animal that may require adaptation in their husbandry and care. The following care sheet will address basic requirements but as the primary caretaker of your pet, we encourage you to take notice of your pet's behaviours and preferences and make adjustments as they grow with you and your family. Please also keep in mind that unlike mammals, most reptiles change their behaviour according to the weather seasons even if you keep them indoors all year round.

We keep lizards in stock at our Toronto store and ship across Canada.

Enclosure: Fiji Iguanas may be one of the smallest iguana species, but they still require plenty of space. The larger their enclosure, the better they will thrive. A spacious, well-ventilated setup that allows for ample climbing and exploration is ideal. For a pair of adults, a vertically oriented enclosure measuring at least 4x2x4' is recommended. A custom-built screen or glass terrarium with excellent ventilation works best. Juveniles can be comfortably housed in a 24x18x24" enclosure. To ensure their safety, secure latching doors are essential to prevent escapes.

Substrate: A bioactive substrate or moisture retaining options such as cypress mulch, coconut husk, or reptile bark with soil blends work well. Avoid overly dusty or excessively damp substrates, as these can cause bacterial build up and skin issues. Fiji Iguanas can also do very well in advanced paludarium setups where the bottoms are filled with clean running water.

Temperature: Fiji Iguanas thrive in a moderate, consistently warm climate. The basking area should be maintained between 85-95°F (29-35°C), while the cooler side of the enclosure should range from 75-80°F (24-27°C). At night, temperatures can safely drop to around 70°F (21°C). Proper heating can be achieved using basking lights, halogen lamps, and deep heat projectors to create a stable and comfortable environment without overheating. Larger appropriate enclosures will help these animals thermo-regulate as needed.

Humidity: Fiji Iguanas thrive in environments with steady moderate to high humidity levels around 60-80%. Regular misting and the use of a high-quality hygrometer are highly advised to maintain appropriate moisture levels. Live plants, a misting system, or a reptile fogger can help create a stable, humid environment without causing excessive dampness.

Lighting: UVB lighting is essential for Fiji Iguanas to synthesize vitamin D3 and properly metabolize calcium. Use a full-spectrum UVB bulb specifically designed for reptiles. UVB lighting can be provided in the form of linear fluorescent, mercury vapour, and more recent technology provides UVB lighting in LED form as well. We advise against the use of economy compact fluorescent UVB lights for this species as they are not high quality enough. Heating bulbs can be provided by basking heat bulbs, heat emitters, or deep heat projectors. The amount of lighting you need will depend on the size of your setup and temperature of the room the enclosure stays in. Typically, the larger the enclosure, the more lighting you will need.

Decor: As arboreal reptiles, Fiji Iguanas need plenty of climbing branches, vines, and foliage to feel secure. Provide enrichment and mimic their natural environment by using a combination of natural wood branches, cork bark, and live or artificial plants. We suggest using lots of broad leaf plants in your enclosure to mimic a tropical environment. Hiding spots at different heights should be provided to reduce stress and sturdy horizontal basking areas are highly recommended.

Feeding: Fiji Iguanas are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of leafy greens, flowers, and fruits. A balanced diet should include dark, leafy greens such as collard greens, dandelion greens, hibiscus leaves, and kale, bok choy greens, and mustard greens. Edible flowers and occasional fruits like papaya, mango, and berries can be offered in moderation. Offer high oxalate foods in small amounts only such as spinach and swiss chard.

Supplementation: Providing a robust diverse diet will usually provide all the vitamins and nutrition they need. If you want, you can offer light supplementation of calcium, vitamin A or multivitamin in small amounts once per week. It is very important to not over supplement, especially for young iguanas as over supplementation can cause more harm than good. The best strategy is to provide high quality UVB lighting and a diverse nutritious diet.

Water: Fiji Iguanas must stay hydrated at all times. They will obtain much of their hydration from food and regular misting but will also benefit from having a large water dish available with clean fresh water daily. Misting regularly encourages drinking behavior, as they often lap up water droplets from leaves which is how they typically drink water in their natural habitats.