Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What do you guys use as a substrate for your Rhinos and other iguanas? I was thinking sifted, slightly moist playsand. Maybe about 6 inches for a hatchling? I am not sure. Let me know! Thanks guys.

Like their cousins the Green Iguanas, Cyclura tend to use their tongues to taste everything. Because of this I use a non-particulate substrate with mine to prevent ingestion and possible impaction. Newsprint, paper toweling, butcher paper, old brown grocery sacks, cloth towels, good quality indoor/outdoor carpeting....all are suitable choices. Some folks over on the Bearded Dragon forum have been using shelf liner and seem to really like it.

Some folks may think that this isn't a concern, but I have it from personal experience that they will taste or eat anything. My 6 year old female has eaten a nylon knee high stocking, a rubber ear plug, and who knows what else!

I use washed playsand (Quarzsand) for my Iguanas (Cyclura, Sauromalus, Brachylophus) since nearly 20 years for adults and hatchlings and never had a problem when they lick it up. SJ

http://www.cyclura.info

I know someone who paid 5,000 for a lewisi male and then lost it to sand inpaction. If you use sand, be careful.

I agree with the other posts in that you want to guard against ingestion. We actually use a combination of: torpedo sand, dirt, ESU Jungle Mix, peat, and a little leaf litter.....looks great, easy to clean, allows for digging behavior and we have not had any problems with ingestion.

What about rabbit food. My vet said it was ok for iggys because if they ingest it it will not hurt them, and actually can moisten it and feed it to them also. My iggys don't eat it and they don't seem to mind it. He also said sand was good because in their natural habitat you can see them in the sand. Just a suggestion.