Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need as much help as possible:

I have a 5 year old, male Cuban Rock iguana. I purchased him when he was about a year old, but never handled him much. He was somewhat aggressive at the time, and I thought I would let him get friendly with time. Big mistake!

So, my question is, is it too late to make a good pet out of him. I know he is gorgeous and healthy, but I'd really like to put the time into training him to be hand-held. Am I wasting my time at this point in his life? Or should I sell him and start all over with a hatchling?

Did you wait too long? sounds like it. Can it be done? sure. Is it a waste of time? thats up to you. The time spent is part of the experience keeping these guys, I think.
Some cyclura are just knuckle heads and won't except you. They are the minority or wild caught. Dont force handle him so much, instead get him used to you in his space, trust me, you are in his space. Slowly, as he figures out you are not a threat start to hold him. Put him in a room or controlled area and stay in there with him. Let him get mad and react. ignore him a bit so he's used to your presence, maybe put some food down and let him come over close to you as you stay still. work up to the handling part. Be patient. It does take time and cant say how long it will take. I know this 1st hand. I have a cornuta that I have had to work with for years

That is excellent advice and said in an eloquent way. I have been keeping and breeding Cyclura since the early 70's and some no matter what you do seem not to like people. Here at the Farm we have so many Cyclura among many other herps we really don't have time and to me it's not even a big concern whether their tame or not. All mine now are at least f-1 lizards except for one and some WITHOUT any conditioning seem to actually like people. Enclosed is a pic of Rosco taken about 3 years ago. He, at a small size [about 2' long] not only lost his fear of people but liked them. He particularly likes Patty who feeeds and takes care of him. When Patty goes into his enclosure he comes over to be petted and she often puts him outside to browse and walk around where he will haphazardly follow her while investigating and eating. The enclosure depicted is at the old farm not our new one. Now Rosco is about 4' long and massive but still a puppydog with people....

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

With adult Cyclura it's much easier to "tame" them if you have large walkin enclosures like these at the new farm. Quickly they begin to resond to feeding them and then the rest is easy with most but NOT all. I have one female that is an f-2 6 year old Rhino that is still afraid of people or simply dislikes them. With her I believe even if I tried to tame her it would be an exercize in futility. Here's a few pics of our outdoor enclosures for both small and large Cyclura and other lizards...thanks

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Tom - I love you farm. I wish SC did not get so cold. I really want a pair of Cycluras put I want to be able to provide them the type of set up you have.

Take care,

Kevin