Iguana’s spikes are definitely one of the most beautiful features of an iguana. In this post, you will find the full guide on iguana spikes care and problems. We will discuss iguana spike problems, shedding, breaking, bending, falling off, burns. Also, you will find information on how to heal iguana spikes and if they grow back at all.
Why do iguanas have spines on their back?
Iguanas have spines on their back because they look sharp and might scare any predators off. Spines also help iguanas with temperature control (when it gets too hot) and to swim away from predators.
Iguana spike problems:
- Shedding issues
- Breaking
- Falling off
- Bending
- Fungal infection on spikes
- Mites on the spikes
My iguana’s spikes are not growing – why?
In some iguanas, the spikes do not growing long. This is because naturally, in some iguanas, not all spikes grow to be long. Instead of some spikes, you will see small stubs. In this case there is nothing you can do to force the growth of spikes.
In some iguanas, the spikes start growing slightly sideways, giving a bent look. Bent spikes in iguanas are fine, if they are not getting dry or breaking off, which would indicate a problem.
Iguana spike care
- To prevent the loss or breakage of spikes, you must monitor the shedding.
- When your iguana is shedding, you need to make sure that there is no retained shed left on spikes as well.
- Make sure the humidity in the tank is always optimal (70-80% preferably), or there will be problems with shedding. Bathe your iguana daily when shedding and mist it twice a day.
- Ensure that the heat lamps in the tank are not too hot or located too close to your iguana. Spikes are very sensitive to heat.
- When spikes are shedding, do not pull the shedding caps forcefully. They should come off themselves. The skin on spikes is quite tight and can easily cause bleeding and breakage.
- If the spikes are very dry, you can apply some mineral oil, pure coconut oil, Vaseline or sea Buckthorn oil to the spikes to help them shed.
More care tips…
- In case of bleeding or breakage of spikes, apply some antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin.
- Some factors might cause loss of spikes, such as fungal or bacterial infection.
- Supplement (especially vitamins A, E, B group) and protein deficiency can cause spike breakage, dryness and loss. Protein must be coming from vegetables (such as peas) and not from meat or insects. Also, provide enough fiber. Too many vitamins can also cause dryness of spikes and their loss, though.
- Very strong light coupled with high humidity, can cause the tip of spikes to dry off and bleed.
The most common reason for breaking spines in iguanas is the lack of humidity in the cage. If the humidity in the cage is lower than 65%, you might benefit from a reptile fogger like this. You must also mist your iguana in the morning and before evening.
Iguana spikes falling off
As we have previously mentioned, iguana’s spikes will be falling off for a reason. Make sure there are no mites (use a magnifying glass to examine the skin) and no retained shed. Retained shed at the base or top will shut off the blood supply, causing blackening and necrosis (death) of spikes.
Your iguana might also lose spikes if it had an injury. It can be falling from structures, or rubbing too hard against other objects. Make sure to never apply too much pressure on the spikes. After bathing, do not wipe spikes roughly, as it can cause damage.
Do not attempt removing the shedding skin from the spike at the start of shedding. If you pull the skin, it might start bleeding and get infected. The better idea is to monitor humidity levels, bathe your iguana and apply few drops of mineral oil or Vaseline. Sea Buckthorn oil is also amazing to ease iguana spike shedding.
If there is any stuck shed, you can try using tweezers to gently remove the skin, but proper humidity and baths should make the skin come off naturally. Never pull the shedding caps.
Never remove the shedding skin from the spikes too early. The skin must come off itself – you can help your iguana by monitoring humidity levels, giving it baths and moisturizing the spikes. If you remove the skin caps too early, spikes might break.
Iguana spikes covered in multiple shed layers
Sometimes, you might get an iguana from the pet store or somewhere else where it was not given the best care. Similarly to toes and the tail, the shedding skin might get stuck on the spikes in layers!
So, if the old shed has not been removed from the spike, another layer will get stuck on the previous shed. This will eventually get accumulated on the spike, shutting off the blood supply and making them go black and fall off.
If your iguana is new, that is very possible. Many irresponsible owners and even iguanas coming from pet shops do not get their spike shedding monitored very closely (some don’t even get proper nutrition!).
If there are many layers on the spikes, you will need to apply petroleum jelly, sea Buckthorn oil on the spikes. Keep bathing your iguana every day until the caps loosen. You can even use reptile shedding aid like this to help soften the skin.
In cases when you cannot remove the old layers, use very thin manicure scissors to cut the base of the shed cap. Make sure not to hurt the actual spike.
Iguana fungus infection and spikes
If your iguana has a fungal infection of the skin, it might affect its spikes too. Fungal infection in iguanas features symptoms of black dots, crusty skin and brown to black patches. Fungal infection that spreads to spikes will cause their loss.
In the case when you suspect the fungal infection, consult with the vet and start soaking your iguana in a mild Betadine solution (1:100 for 20-30 minutes, for around 2-3 weeks initially).
Betadine has both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. You might also apply some anti-fungal cream such as Terbinafine to the spikes if there is no improvement, but consult your vet first.
Do not start fungal or bacterial infection treatment if you are not sure what it is. Bacterial and fungal infections look very similar, and swab is required to find out the causing agent. Sometimes, you might use a cream that has both anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
You can read more about fungal and bacterial infection of the skin in iguanas in this post.
Do iguana spikes grow back?
If your iguana has lost spikes due to an infection, injury or deficiency, the spikes are not likely to grow all the way to the same size as before. Iguana’s spikes might grow back to some extent if you provide adequate care, or might not grow back at all.
How to heal iguana spikes?
To help your iguana heal the spikes, you will need to apply some antibiotic ointment if the spike broke and if there was bleeding. You can also wash the spike wound in a mild Betadine solution (1:100) for disinfection. Keep the cage clean until the wound heals.
Whatever happened to iguana’s spike, it might have been broken or fallen off. While you can generally use hydrogen peroxide on various cuts and wounds, do not use it for spikes. This is because hydrogen peroxide can inhibit new spike growth.
If there is blood under the spikes, this might be due to sudden drops in humidity or very hot lamps. Try to move the lamp slightly higher during this shedding period and continue giving baths.
Iguana spike burns
If your iguana’s spikes become strange in color – bluish and brown – then the spikes have been burnt. After the burns, the spikes will start getting dark and will fall off. Make sure to check the cage humidity and temperatures in the tank immediately.
Very high temperatures + high humidity cause hot steam, which can burn your iguana and its spikes. It can be also if the lamp is too close to your iguana. Apply some burn cream on iguana’s spikes to help them heal and change anything that is needed in the cage accordingly.