Reptile & Amphibian Forums

this goes out to all cyclura owners who have these animals as "pets".I'm new to cyclura,I have a 8 month lewisi/caymanensis and a 1.5 year old rhino.I love the way way these guys look.I've seen often on this site how docile and tame these dinosaurs can be.Can anyone tell me how their animals became pet quality.??Is it the animals personality or the keepers husbanddry.??Did you handle your animals or just feed and clean the cage and leave them alone.?My hybrid runs every time i open the cage.My rhino goes ballistic every time i'm in his cage.It's very discouraging.Do you just feed these guys till there big enough to not be afraid?I'd like to her from Tom,Jf,Mark,Mannyand anyone else who can tell me the best way to have a well socialized and true pet cyclura.joe

DONT WORRY! they are NORMAL! if you want a nice calm pet that you can handle and trust.. then you need to earn its trust, by doing nothing, dont try to grabb it,, dont catch it when it doesnt want to be handled.. just feed it and clean its cage.. and let them feel safe and they will start to trust you.. and one day your animal knows you are not any danger to them ,,they will get bored and think.. hmmm lets see who that guy is?
It can take up to 2 years for them to calm down.
I newer handled my cyclura ..

joe
You are asking a HUGE question. One that we could have dinner over and still not cover! There are way too many variables. It seems that you are asking for directions or a recipe, there are no manuals. Everyone does it different. Learn to read your cyclura. What sends him in a panic, dont do it. What he enjoys, promote it and use it to your advantage. What do the head bobs mean and his posture. He is telling you. you need to understand it. If you have them in a cage that you can walk into it may take longer. When you walk in you are above them and really big, thats scary to them. Thats the issue I have with my new one. Eye contact is he number one communication between you and it. Try walking in or opening the cage and never look at the lizard. I can clean put down food whatever and he wont move if we dont make eye contact. try it. Of course once you approach his space he might take off.
What all keepers need is patience, this is a long lived reptile you have to go at their speed not yours. thats about the only thing that is true for everyone. If you want to hold him, do it but there are benefits and costs. if ya dont hold him can you ever? most yes some no. be a constant in his teritory so he is used to you. You will figure it out. Thats my first reaction to your ? . Lets see what the rest think.

jf

I have to agree with JF. Eye contact makes a big difference in lizards that are afraid of you. If you don’t look them in the eye they think that you are not targeting them and that they are being overlooked. Also, Cyclura usually do not settle down until the second or third year. They should also be handled regularly. Try to gain their trust with bright colored fruits or red hibiscus flowers. Enter the cage slowly. Stop if they start going nuts until they calm down and then proceed. If they are housed together, then maybe separating them will help, since one going crazy in the cage will send panic to the other one in the cage.
Overall, be patient. They will settle down as they mature.