Iguana vs Chameleon: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)

Iguanas and chameleons are reptiles and are popular breeds to keep as pets. However, the iguana and the chameleon are entirely different species. Iguanas are herbivores that live on land and in trees.

Chameleons are carnivores that live in trees and are capable of changing their color. Iguanas are much larger than chameleons and have spiny crests on their backs. Some chameleons have crests, but many do not, and the crests are usually on the top of the head rather than on the back.

Both species have essentially adapted and evolved to survive in their habitat. If you are looking for a pet lizard, the iguana is ideal for owners who do not want to feed live food. The iguana can be tamed with enough handling and time, but the adult iguana grows so large that it isn’t the best pet for most living conditions and homes. The chameleon, on the other hand, should be left in the enclosure and not handled except when necessary.

Read on to learn more about the differences between these two unique species.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Iguana Overview

There are, in fact, more than 30 known species of iguana. Most originate from Central America, Mexico, and Brazil. They live in hot areas, near water, and like most lizards and pets, they need you to replicate their natural environment to lead a long and healthy life at home.

With regular handling, they can become friendly family pets, getting along with children and other animals. However, some breeds can grow up to 6 feet long, so they need a substantial amount of room to live comfortably. They also require grooming and care, as well as regular handling and socialization throughout their 20-year life, to ensure they remain safe family pets.

In the Wild

The green iguana is the most common wild species. It lives in treetops in the Americas but may also live in some open areas. It lives near water and makes excellent swimmers and divers. Surprisingly fast and agile on land, the iguana is also built to fight back if predators attack. It has a whip-like tail and very sharp teeth. If the iguana gets caught by a predator, it can detach its tail and regrow another without difficulty or harm.

Personality / Character

Iguanas are among the most common and popular reptile pets, along with chameleons. Babies are fast and agile, while adults become more docile, especially if they are comfortable in their surroundings and with their families. Your iguana may choose to climb on you when out of the cage, and since it has sharp claws, you need to wear thick clothing. You should also be aware that, while rare, an iguana can break a human bone with its tail.

Training

An iguana cannot be trained to roll over or lay down on command. However, with regular and careful handling, this lizard will accept being picked up and handled by its human owners. They may resist at first because it is unnatural for them. Do not try to force the issue, but take things slowly and steadily and encourage your pet iguana with insect treats.

Health & Care

Possibly the most significant factor to consider is the size of the iguana. It can grow to sizes of up to 7 feet in length, including its tail, and can weigh upwards of 20 pounds. Most owners give their iguanas their own rooms, but they also need a substantial cage with adequate lighting and graduated heating between 75 °F and 95 °F. You will also have to ensure that the humidity remains high, typically above 70%, and that you provide plenty of elevated positions for your skilled climber to climb.

When it comes to diet, iguanas are strict herbivores. They cannot eat animal protein, which can make them sick, and they require a pelleted diet with leafy greens, fruit, and appropriate supplements. Iguanas do not chew, so all their food needs to be cut into suitable bite-size chunks.

Suitable For:

The iguana is a suitable pet for a family with plenty of spare room and a lot of time to spend bonding with the lizard. It is a good choice for those who do not want to feed live food or meat protein to their pets and can become quite affectionate with regular and careful handling.

• Related Read: Bearded Dragon vs. Iguana

Chameleon Overview

While the iguana is a large reptile that benefits from time in and out of its cage, the Chameleon is much smaller and should be considered a glorious sight to behold but not to hold. They are shy lizards that are very easily stressed; when stressed, they can become ill and die.

This, coupled with the difficulty of providing a suitable home for an arboreal creature that lives primarily in trees, means that the chameleon is not necessarily a good pet for first-time herpetologists. In many respects, despite the iguana being considerably larger, it may be considered the better lizard for first-time owners.

In the Wild

Chameleons are arboreal, which means that they live in trees. They need a lot of foliage and an enclosure that provides vertical and horizontal space. They prefer warm temperatures and can live in any habitat from desert to rainforest. They have been found in Africa, Madagascar, Europe, and southern Asia.

They have very long tongues and usually have eyes that operate independently of one another. Their most noteworthy characteristic is that they can change color, although their color is usually determined by their mood rather than their background color.

Personality / Character

As shy creatures, chameleons should not be considered pets to be taken out and handled. They are similar, in this respect, to fish. They are beautiful and intriguing lizards that are amazing to observe, but they should not be handled. They get stressed easily, which can lead to illness and even death, and being picked up and carried around isn’t appreciated by most chameleons.

Training

You cannot train a chameleon, but it will likely learn its feeding times and rituals. If you establish a routine, you’ll notice your pet eagerly awaiting when you enter the room to feed it.

Health & Care

Several factors need to be considered when taking on a chameleon. They are tree-dwelling creatures that are usually solitary. You will have to provide a substantial amount of cage space for a single animal that you cannot handle, and it is worth bearing this in mind when thinking about your first lizard.

They need a lot of foliage, and it’s crucial to ensure that the plants are non-toxic. They also need basking areas, and some chameleons prefer higher temperatures. They will not usually take water from a dish, so you can use ice cubes that drip onto leaves or a dedicated dripping system. Misting will maintain a high humidity level, and chameleons need UVA and UVB light.

They eat insects, including crickets and mealworms, which should be gut loaded with calcium before feeding. You can also serve leafy greens and some vegetables.

Suitable For:

Chameleons aren’t ideal for first-time owners. However, reptile lovers who appreciate lizards with plenty of unique traits and don’t mind keeping them in a large tank will enjoy taking care of them. They’re fascinating reptiles, and although they don’t like being handled, they are entertaining to observe, especially during feeding time.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Chameleons and iguanas are popular pets, but they have different diets and care requirements. Iguanas can be friendly if they’re regularly handled and allowed to walk around outside of their cages. On the other hand, chameleons should not be handled and should be left in their enclosures so they don’t get stressed or ill.

Both require a lot of room to live comfortably. While the chameleon is much smaller than the iguana, it needs branches, foliage, and rocks to climb and bask. Both lizards have unique features, including the chameleon’s color-changing and unique eyes, and both make excellent pets, but they also require a significant commitment and a lot of effort.

• Related Read: Best Substrates for Iguanas

Featured Image Credit: Top – RitaE, Pixabay | Bottom – AQgraphy, Pixabay