Marine iguanas.

[tyler1503]

Has anyone ever kept a marine iguana in a private tank?
Would love to see that!
There amazing animals.

 

[Waters]

I have kept a lot of different reptiles (monitors, green iguanas, water dragons, etc.) and I have never seen a Marine Iguana offered for sale. Actually, I don't think I have ever seen one in person period lol. They are sort of ugly though lol

 

[Squishie89]

The tank would need to be quite large, like, penguin exhibit large.

 

[tyler1503]

They're hideous but so awesome! I guess it's like my love for scorpion fish. Ugly, but too cool to say no to lol. I've never seen one in real life either.
Yea the habitat size was what made me question whether or not it had been done outside of a zoo/public aquarium. I imagine the tank would need to be like 10ft deep or something like that, plus they live on land too, so there would need to be plenty of dry ground.

 

[dodgerblew]

Not just the size of habitat but replicating conditions of Galápagos Islands, temps, sun and sea, wave patterns and the marine vegetation they feed on would be difficult and impractical for a zoo or aquarium to invest in for a reptile not considered endangered. It'd be great if it happened but I think for the time being seeing these cool reptiles will be on the screen or on a trip to the GI.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

what is a good iguana to own?

 

[JFrar]

In the FL. keys there are "marine" iguanas that live coastally... They are the same "common" green iguana you can get anywhere. I'm pretty sure they are not native. don't know how much impact they have down there good or bad. You'll see them chilling on a ledge to the water and if you get to close they will power dive in the water and swim.... quickly! was a pretty cool site even though there not native

 

[JFrar]

I don't think it would be advisable for someone to go get an iguana that came from Galapagos. lol. theres the common green ones which are cheap. and i don't know much about them but have seen more "dinosaur" looking ones that look pretty scruffed up and mean. but i have no knowledge on them. Had a regular "green" iguana for years. he used to chill in our christmas tree in the holidays all the way on the top(he was the star). awesome pet if you actually put the time into handeling the animal so it becomes a little domesticated with humans.

Our iguana's name was "guana-bra" (the lame way of saying bro..i know)

 

[FL_Reefer]

I believe it is illegal to take anything from the Galapagos. Lol

 

[tyler1503]

I believe it is illegal to take anything from the Galapagos. Lol

Don't they keep those huge Galapagos tortoises in captivity? Those ones that live for like 500 years and weigh more than an average sedan? Maybe I'm exaggerating that a bit lol.
I'd love to see a huge paludarium with one in it. Lots of birds and a few small mammals on top and a full mixed reef underneath. A guy can dream can't he? :P
Oh, and mangroves. Lots and lots of mangroves!

 

[Squishie89]

what is a good iguana to own?

I'd say none, they can get quite large (and need a large enclosure) and a bit mean/territorial especially as they mature. Other types of reptiles though like geckos would be better suited to be a pet.

 

[tyler1503]

I'd say none, they can get quite large (and need a large enclosure) and a bit mean/territorial especially as they mature. Other types of reptiles though like geckos would be better suited to be a pet.

Patty, a lady I know, has one. It's called Jub Jub. It used to be her mothers and she looks after it with her sister Selma.

 

[blue2337]

Marine iguanas from the Galapagos are protected & illegal to own. I had cites permits & still could not get one. Green iguanas can be kept but I never saw the point of them since the majority of people dont understand what it takea to keep them. Cant just throw them in a tank. Proper diet, lighting & humidity.

 

[tyler1503]

Sounds like they're like the reptile equivalent of moorish idols or flame scallops.
I imagine high quality zoos could keep them alive and happy though :S

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

I'd say none, they can get quite large (and need a large enclosure) and a bit mean/territorial especially as they mature. Other types of reptiles though like geckos would be better suited to be a pet.

Thanks for the good info. I was just curious. Not that I'm planning on it. Turtles seem like a better/easier choice.

 

[mwladdicted]

I'm pretty sure everything on the gala Pagosa island is illegal to own. Pretty much everything there is unique, hence why evolution exists