Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This forum has been a little slow lately, I've been a watcher/reader but not yet a poster. I was hoping maybe some of the regulars are still stopping by here now and again and might be able to answer a question or two for me. Hows the personability factor in the rhino iguanas? I had an argentinian black and white tegu about a year back but due to unfortunate circumstances had to find her a new home. I'm almost at the point where I'm settled down and can get another, however I've taken an interest in the rhino iguanas. My tegu was super tame, my bedroom was her cage, she free roamed in it. Does anyone have any similar stories about rhino iguanas? Do they have the same tameness? Thanks!
~Caietaro

Jiff could probably answer that question best. I have never owned a Tegu, but from what I have read about Argentine Tegu's, they might well be more personable and predictable. Rhino iguanas have a broad range of personalities. Due to work, my rhino's are treated more like zoo animals atleast half of each year. Although most are dog tame, they are probably half as personable as they might be with year round attention.

I keep Rhinos and Tegus and have individuals of both species that are freeroaming. Both species can be extremely docile but unpredictable. I never underestimate the damage they can do if they so choose. It would be very difficult for me to choose one species between the two if I were given that restriction. If I were to choose based soley on safety and severity of damage from a bite I would choose the Tegu. They don't seem as quick as Rhinos that want to bite and you can usually react fast enough to prevent being bitten. If basing the decision strictly on personality and degree of interaction I would choose the Rhinos. They actually seem to enjoy and seek out attention at times. The taming process is pretty similar and doesn't take alot of time or effort, more just a waiting game until they put on some size. Both species seem to calm down and tame naturally as they mature and get larger.

Hope that helps and doesn't make you more confused.