Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi was wondering if people who have kept both had a prefference attitude and personality wise.Thanks for the help.

First you will not be able to get a pure Grand Cayman Iguana but you can obtain hybrids. Secondly each Cyclura has it's own distict personality regardless of the species. To a degree it depends on how they were raised as well. The bottom line is all Cyclura are magnificent creatures and a pleasure and honour to work with. I would suggest getting the species that you admire the looks of the most because all can become very TAME and PERSONABLE....

Both pics are of Rosco, Patty's favorite one. The first pic was taken 3 years ago as a subadult and the last was our Christmas Card pic this year. This lizard thinks he's a human and he spends a lot of time outside his spacious cage [15' x 15' x 6' tall] exploring, browsing, and sometimes just following us around as we service the outdoor facilities. I consider it an honour that he has accepted here as home and literally would not leave on his own volition. Some of my critters are part of my family and he will live the rest of his days here as long as I'm alive, although he's likely to outlive me...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Hi tom I love them all was just wondering what peoples opinions were,when I do get one it will be grand caymen cross but I see some people here have both and was just curious,hope to see you at daytona again,Thanks,Bob

Outlive you? How old are you exactly? LOL

Rosco is 5 years old and Cyclura are well documented at 50 years plus and I'm 61 years old. Do the math....lol
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Damn! You're old enough to my parent! LOL

Tom,
A male lewesi, Godzilla, that died at Gladys Porter was thought to be 70yrs.
Wasn't he yours at one time?

jf

Yes, he was mine. Before I went to Belize rather than selling the lewisi[I had bought all Life Fellowships at that time as well as mine]I sent all of them on breeding loans to several zoo's. All of them died or so I was told. Additionally I never received as much as a baby because I was informed that none of them reproduced. I actually could have sold that group of 8-10 lizards for LOTS of money but didn't because I wanted to do what I then thought was in the best interest of the lizards. In hindsight I wish I had sold them in the private sector and by now there would have been LOTS of them available. Needless to say I'm dissapointed and to be honest I'm not sure I believe none reproduced and all died. I'm not saying Godzilla didn't die as I know he did but I am very dissapointed either way. Some of the lewisi were only 4-5 years old at the time and it's hard to believe ALL died. Here's a pic of Godzilla, the famous Blue Iguana, and my favorite one Mr. Blue. Mr. Blue was mine and was the best breeding male lewisi I had, even better than Godzilla...thanks

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Simply gorgeous animals. That is a sad story to hear indeed...
and a stop to their bloodline, even worse.
Great pictures.

Both are awesome but my personal preference is the Grand Cayman hybrids (and Cayman Bracs and Cubans).

They pack awesome personalities and usually tame with little to no effort. I also prefer their colorfulness (is that a word???) to the more drab color of a rhino.

In my experience, younger rhinos can sometimes be a handful and can take some time and patience (more so than caymans and cubans).

Good luck!

Michael.

I have both, meaning cayman hybrid. I like them both for different reasons. My hybrid I have had his whole life and is great and if I had to choose, he has seniority. My rhino has a history before I got him and it took some work to get him to come around but it has been fun working with him. If you take care of them right they damn near tame themselves. Like Tom said pick the one you like the looks of best. They have their own personalities but both can become very friendly. What I like the most is what Tom said, It is an honor and a privilege to keep them.

jf

ps, regardless of which you pick, the first 2 yrs can be rough. patience!

Are cyclura's breeding season attitudes the same, worse, or better than green iguanas? In your opinions. I don't think we will ever have a cyclura, but I like the nubila nubila. Never know, maybe someday. Thanks.

In my experience, I dont know if its worse but the lizard is bigger, smarter, and stronger. My hybrid, you cant even tell when he is looking to mate, though if you are a female cyclura he is no fun to be around. I sold her. My Rhino is polar opposite, and can be scary and I have caught wild ones. Trying to flee is MUCH different than "let's fight". I kept and breed greens for years and a cyclura wanting to mate and protecting territory is a whole 'nother level. But, its all on individual basis. Everyone has a different story.
jf

Thanks for your opinion. A few years ago someone trusted us and offered to give us his cyclura, I was not ready at the time. Now I have some more experience, a bunch of books, more green igs, but not enough time, money or space right now. Maybe someday, I see every now and then somebody needs to give one a home.
Sean

I have bred Cyclura since 1973 and still breed Cyclura and Albino Green Iguanas. This so called breeding aggression in my opinion is simply overstated and really isn't even a problem as far as I'm concerned. Other than females defending the nest I've NEVER had one attack me....

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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

i got my rhino male while working in a pet store when i was 16 for $100. im now 35 and he was about a 1 ft long back then and now is 5ft long and 22 lbs. he was nuts but yrs of work he now is calm well i think when they get to a certin size they lose the fear. my guy still get s pissed and will charge people he does not know and bite hard. but hes tough as nails and has th attitude to back it up.

woops wrong pics sorry