Welfare requirements for green iguanas in zoo settings, covering thermoregulation, space, and behavioral enrichment.
Green iguanas in zoo environments require careful welfare attention. Their ectothermic physiology means that thermal access is not simply a comfort issue but a survival requirement — inadequate heat and UV exposure cause metabolic disease, immune failure, and shortened lifespan. Social dynamics in group housing require careful monitoring to ensure all individuals can access basking sites and food. Enclosure design must provide sufficient vertical space for natural climbing and territorial behavior. Public touch programs involving frequent handling create measurable stress and should be minimized.