If you areConsidering Getting a Bearded Dragon (Click here to see why I'm rating this guide to avoid risky mistakes with your bearded dragon)or Iguana, you must read this to get all the information you need. They are quite different and I will explain the pros and cons of each.
What is the difference between a bearded dragon and an iguana?A bearded dragon is an omnivore and has a wide variety of insects, fruits, and vegetables. An iguana is a herbivore and has a very strict diet. The iguana is also quite large as an adult, while a bearded dragon is much smaller, being manageable at up to 24 inches in length.
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In reality, there are many different types of iguanas and many iguana "morphs".Bearded Dragontake into account. Now let me tell you these and some other important facts about these amazing lizards.
What are the most popular bearded dragon morphs?
A morph is a way of describing a slightly different variant of the bearded dragon. This is a term "morphs" that not only applies to bearded dragons, but is also used for other lizards. An example of a morph is: the bearded dragon can have slightly different scales, etc. Many people may think that there is only one type of bearded dragon, but in reality there are quite a few differences.
Different Types of Bearded Dragon Morphs:
Classic
This is the standard bearded dragon variety that most people are familiar with. They can actually have a few different color variations, such as red, yellow, or even tan.
hypomelanistic
This kite species lacks color. In fact, that's where the name comes from, literally meaning "below normal color".
Think of this "Beardie" as an albino-style lizard. It's similar to the classic, but just lacks color.
leather back
The leatherback morph differs from the other two described above in that it doesn't have spikes on its back. Instead, it has spikes on its head but not on its back. Hence, it gives it a smooth, leather-like texture, hence the reason it's called leather backing.
translucent
This variant has distinctive dark eyes, making it appear as if it has no irises. Which is its outstanding feature. The babies also have a distinctive clear-looking tummy underneath. This looks almost translucent blue, hence the name.
silk back
The silk back is a pretty standout variant. It has no spikes and gives it that silky looking complexion. It's a pretty rare morph to find, so not many people know about this one.
Others
Apart from these, there are German Giant, Dunner, Zero, Witblits, Wero, and Paradox morph variants.
What are the most popular iguana species?
Believe it or not, there are many different species of iguana lizards. Thirty-five to be exact. So quite a lot of possibilities. Here are some of the most popular iguana species:
Grüner Leguan
This is one of the most popular types. Believe it or not, they come in a variety of colors, not just green. For example pink or even blue.
They are quite large, growing up to 5 feet in length. They are also herbivores, so eat mostly herbs, fruits, and vegetables (To see if iguanas can eat cucumbers, click here). If you plan on caring for one of these lizards, you need to make sure they are given the right food on a regular basis to keep them happy. They have quite a picky diet compared to the bearded dragon. They also have prominent spines on their backs to keep predators away.
Roter Leguan
The red iguana is actually just a variant of the green iguana. Therefore, unlike the green iguana, it has no special care requirements. The only real difference is the fact that it's literally red. Although it is known to have a range of colors close to red, such as B. a rusty color ranging to a borderline orange color.
Desert
This desert species of iguana is native to the desert areas of America. It is known for its tremendous speed. It can stand on its hind legs and run at an alarming speed.
They are also known to change color throughout the day depending on weather conditions. For example, in the heat of the day, skin appears white to reflect the sun and keep it cooler.
However, they are known to be greyish in the early hours of the day when the sun is at its coolest, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings.
Grand Cayman
This lizard is naturally gray, but it can change color to a bright blue color once mixed with other lizards. For this reason, it is commonly known as the blue iguana.
This lizard is quite rare, it is also considered an endangered species. These lizards live for a very long time. They have been recorded living up to 69 years. They are also considered to be one of the longest-lived lizards.
You might find other blue lizards, but it's unlikely to be an actual Grand Cayman Blue Iguana given its rarity.
Do bearded dragons live longer than iguanas?
On average, you can expect bearded dragons to live between 10 and 15 years. With iguanas, on the other hand, it largely depends on what species you're thinking of, but most of them have a similar lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but as we discussed with the Grand Cayman, it can have really long lifespans of up to 69 years have years.
Which is better for a beginner, the iguana or the bearded dragon?
It is better for beginners to have the simplest option. In this case, the bearded dragon is undoubtedly the best choice.
The reason I say this is primarily because of its size. The size of an adult iguana can be quite large, for example over 5 feet long. Therefore, it will be much more difficult to maintain, if only because of the space required.
The bearded dragons, on the other hand, have a much more manageable size of up to 24 inches. This means they don't need a large enclosure to keep them happy, meaning it doesn't cost you as much to keep them.
When it comes to their diet, the bearded dragon wins hands down again. It's an omnivore, which means you have more options to feed it and keep it happy. While the iguana has a very specialized herbivore diet, it only eats the right vegetables and herbs that meet its strict requirements.
In fact, you have to be very careful about what you feed the iguana because if you feed it proteins like animal meat, dog food, etc., you will actually harm it. This means you could actually be causing problems with your kidney or liver by doing so.
Don't be fooled by the fact that the iguana is a herbivore, it may sound like a big softie if you get on the wrong side he doesn't hesitate to bite and he has a very nasty bite. In fact, they can be quite aggressive in general. Having said all that, I personally think that the bearded dragon is the best choice for a beginner.
Related Questions:
Is a bearded dragon more expensive than an iguana?You can buy a bearded dragon from $30 to $150. Iguanas, on the other hand, can range from as little as $20 to $500 and up, depending on the species.
What are the humidity requirements for an iguana and a bearded dragon?Iguana likes humidity quite high to put that into perspective, I mean up to 75%.
Bearded dragons, on the other hand, require much lower humidity. Especially up to 40%. So you can see that they have very different hydration needs.