Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have what appears to be 1.1 Similis in the same cage...the only sexual charecteristics (Dimorphism) shown so far is that one has obvious femoral pores. They are both eating and growing well, the only competition/aggression exhibited has been for the prime basking site. Can I safely keep these two together long term or will the male become too aggressive.

I know nothing is certain just asking for personal experiences.

I raise and keep any Ctenos, Cyclura, Varanids, etc. in groups and they do just fine. They will establish a pecking order and go about whatever they do. I do however keep the groups intact and not introduce other animals to the group. You will end up with problems doing that. This goes for raising hatchlings. Putting together adults that have not been grouped will always have its risks and problems. It can be done, but very carefully over an extended period of time. I have never had any issues with multiple males raised together with multiple Females. They will go through their motions, but nothing like two competing males from different groups.

I would disagree on the Cyclura. I have two (Cuban female and Cuban/Cayman male) that are barely over a year old and if you put them together they try to kill each other. I housed them together for two weeks and they used to headbob at each other. Then the smaller of the two (female) got more aggressive and would bite and latch on. I seperated them for a few weeks, put them back together and the male became the aggressor.

I don't know if ctenosaurs get that territorial. At one time I housed a ctenosaur with 2 green iguanas and had no problems.

I have had cyclura nubila together for years never had a problem. Two years ago I got an adult cuban female from california and put her with my 8 year old male. They bobbed their heads for a day or two and are now best friends.

Jeff

Housing groups of Ctenosaura does not make for a healthy environment. I once raised 2.1 rhino igs from hatchlings. The males were friends up until 4 years of age, then they wanted to kill each other. When cyclura are raised in a group setting digits and tips of tails start disappearing. Stress can make the iggies get sickly much easier. It is feasible but not ideal.

Those animals looks familiar! The similis in the back right is a wonderful little girl now. She was wicked evil when she first arrived here but she has mellowed out and become a nice Cteno.