Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ive had my cuban since the end of january. the problem is ive only been able to hold him once since then. he'll let me pet him, but right when i go to pick him up he flips out and jumps out of my hand back into the cage. i can place my hand in the cage and he will start to climb up my arm, but again, wont let me pick him up. ive read on here not to force them, they will grow out of it. but im just wondering if him not being held at all will affect him. he's about 8 months old, 17-18" long

Be happy he is were he is in regards to his temperment. You must remember that cyclura are ground dwellers, hence most feel uncomfortable off the ground. I have a puppy dog adult male rhino that will let you don anything you want to him.........as long as you don't pick him up. Again it vary's per animal, but most don't like to be held. Kinda like big dogs...man's best friend however uncomfortable when they are forced off all four.

I had to look back and see pics of Petra when she was 8 months to remeber that she was insane as well. This is a picture of her on my ankle/foot (I was laying down). As far as tameness...that was the extent that she would hang out, for like 2 mins and walk away/run.

He will chill out, and I suggest that you keep taking him out and enjoy his crazyness because you'll miss it when he's bigger, smarter, and is pushing your pillows out from under you, while you are trying to relax.

Also I utilized the bathtub/sink and gave her lots of chill soaks like 3-5 times a week. When I go into my herp-room now she jumps on her cage door, crawls out and walks to the bathroom/tub across from her room. She equates me with food/ soaking in hot water which she LOVES (and i equate this with "she loves me!" lol)

It's definately true about them loving the ground, seems Petra freaks out when we are going down stairs, but I have a fear of heights so I can understand.

Where did my baby cyclura go.....?

Not cold!

I know that some people advise against soaks, but Kismet loves them as well. She's very happy to get into the bathroom and into the tub. When I first heard/read about not soaking them I asked my vet and he assured me that (1) they certainly weren't hurting her, (2) if she is enjoying them, why stop and (3) she is in absolute perfect health and completely well adjusted, so to keep doing whatever I'm doing.

my guy loves showers! Others on here say they dont need a bath or shower, but to each their own I guess. I feel you on the taming issue. My guy Frank will flip out when I try to get him out of his cage, then he tries to bite me every chance he gets when I am holding him. He is a real sweetheart lol! I guess with routines and constant interaction they will eventually tolerate you and may even like you lol! good luck
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-Robert

"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an egg-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

see the whole problem is i CANT take him out :-/
if i let him crawl on my arm to take him out, he wont go back in easy. he wont let me pick him up so i cant get him back into his enclosure

Does he have a favorite treat?
Use that to lure him back in his enclosure.

That's a really good idea. Try luring him with his favorite food. For Kismet, it is blueberries. She'll come running for a blueberry, so if you can find what he likes best it might help. Also, you can try rewarding him for being calm by only feeding him his favorite treat when he's calm and does what he is supposed to do.

And Petra loves Chex cereal, popcorn or cherrios! She goes a bit scary crazy for them- I would utalize the "one two three...GRAB!" approach, ignore the grunting, and possibly use a dish towel..just keep doing it, he loves you I promise.

Let your lizard decide the level of trust as it will anyway. All my Cyclura are very tame but only 5 will allow you to pick them up and walk around with them. Three of mine actually seem to like it and both Rosco and Fred [very large males] will crawl up into your arms and seem to expect and desire it even. I should say this is very unusual as most tame ones don't like to be picked up or restrained in any way. Try walking aroung with your lizard on your arm or shoulder and see what happens...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com