Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a 6 month old Rhino about a month ago and have recently started to have problems with (fear)aggression. He is alert, healthy, fat and a great eater. When we purchased him he was pretty calm and very curious (tried to eat my necklace). After about 2 weeks he started getting very squirmy - running a bit crazy in his cage scared. Well the last two weeks he has become aggressive. I know it's out of fear because he acts like a wild animal caught by a predator. I have no problem working with him but not really sure why or what to do different - it seems to stress him out to the max! In his cage he will watch you and not act like that - just when i take him out. I can even get him to eat out of my hand if he is in his cage.

Any tips on if this is normal and what i should do. I really don't want a 20 pound lizard I can't handle.

Thanks in advance!

Most rhinos dont like it much when they are picked up..they usually calm down with age.. so i would say this is normal.. i have one that is just the opposit.. its wild in the cage and a puppydog tame iguana as soon as i get him out..but thats the hard part.. so dont be alarmed just yet..

How i tame iguanas.. i dont handle them much at all! just give it food and put it somewhere it can see me most of the day.. this way they usually get tame within 2years with minimum stress(just give it time and it will gain your trust).. other than that i have noticed that keeping them in a cage that is a bit higher up so they only can se my head they calm down in less than 6 months(the really aggresive ones).. also only handle a rhino after its has eaten.. they usually are much easier going when the belly is full..

my best tip is to give it its favorite food and tuch him when he is eating..after doing this for a week or two then try to pick him up just in the cage.. and go from there..

Best of luck..

Welcome to cycluras! They are a bit different than green igs. He is scared, that simple. You dont need to pick him up. Go about your day clean,feed, change water, whatever let him get used to you being in his territory. You have lots of time, about 10-15 yrs till your dealing with a 20 lb-er. Work up to holding. what you're going thru is what we with adults have gone thu too, if thats any consolation. I am going thu it to now, again, some days are maddening, be patient, first 2 yrs they are crazy

jf

It's very simple actually. Just feed, clean, etc and let the lizard invite you into it's life rather than you imposing your life on the lizard. Over time it will do just that unless you make it afraid of you permanently....thanks
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com