Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
I would like to know the opinions of those that keep cyclura of which is the best to start with. I would like to have a cyclura I can interact with. I know each animal has its own personality and some will be friendly then others. I'm just speaking in general terms if attained from hatchling to 3 months. Which of the cyclura tends to be easlier to work with if all things are equal (husbandry, diet, enclosure). thanks

All Cyclura can become tolerant of human interaction. All the hatchlings I've worked with are crazy untill they start putting on some size, so be prepared to deal with that for a year or three. Positive reinforcement and not force handling will go a long way; Some of these guys can hold a grudge for a long while. Once they get past the hatchling crazyness, food is probably the best way to get them used to you.

Thanks for the reply.
It sounds like the same principals apply to cyclura as they do to monitor lizards.

I've read that "forced handling" is needed when working with green iguanas. The alpha concept needs to be established in the realm of green iguanas. Are the cyclura and green that different in social structure? Thanks
Robert

Force handling is not necessary with Green Iguanas, either. I have raised multiple Greens and Cyclura using the same techniques. I've also acquired my Cyclura at different ages, from 3 weeks old to 5-6 years old. IMHO, getting a little older Cyclura makes things a whole lot quicker and easier. I intensify socialization efforts when they reach 2 years of age by putting them in a free roaming situation, usually in a small room. Offer good food by hand, treats often, also by hand, but don't force handling on them. Let them come to you, gain their trust, start petting and scratching, and gradually advance to picking them up. Patience and earning their trust is the key.

Also my opinion but I find my Rhinos to be more social and accepting of interaction than my Cubans and hybrids.

Sorry dude, but unless you have scales and look like an Iguana, the Human dominance/Alpha/whatever thing will only put you three steps behind any progress made. Let them become tolerant of you, and you'll see a different side to any animal.

I should have known not to rely on articles. I know for monitors they need their space and in time hopefully if you are patient and always careful not to upset them, they might allow some interaction. For some reason while reading "articles about green iguanas" I believed the process could be different. Now, reflecting on it I fell into the same hole as so many new monitor owners do. I believed what I read in print. Shame on me.

The process is the same for monitors and iguanas. Make sure their setup and temps are correct, feed them the right diet, show them respect, allow them to know you bring food and are not trying to eat them and hopefully if you are lucky they will allow some interaction. Thanks

The alpha thing is for mammals (dogs).

Pick the species you like the best, that way you stay interested. They are similar enough in husbandry. They have individual personalities so that part is a crap-shoot if you cant see the parents. You get what you put into it. 1st 2 yrs its a spaz so be patient. I never had to "force handle" even greens, except to move them from A to B