Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I just have a quick question for you folks. I have 2 Cuban Rock iguanas and I recently moved and have to give one up because there size difference is to great to keep them together. I have him in the classifieds and Lynn "Coach" Patterson has contacted me and is interested in trading for a rhino. I mentioned that I had 2 and he wants to trade me a true pair of rhinos for both of my cubans. Anyway, I am just curious if any of you know "Coach" and what you think of him and his animals as well as if you think this would be a good trade? If I trade for both I can keep them in the same cage. Mine are 2 years old and 3 years old respectively. the rhinos would be 1 year old. Thaks for your help.

Eric

Hi,
Sorry, I do not know your Coach friend.
Some of the pros and cons to think about.
Cuban males grow to be atleast twice as big as females. Sometimes the size differential makes for separate caging to prevent injuries to the female.
Cubans are much easier to tame.
Rhinos females are only about 10-20% smaller than males, so if makes it easier to keep them together.
They are harder to tame, but make for a much more impressive pet in the long run -- I'm bias.
You have already had some of the fun of watching the cubans grow-up -- a short but interesting transition -- once they are big, they stay that way for a long long time. The yearling rhinos are probably not that tame, but potentially moldable, if you have the time to devote to them. If you don't have much time and want tame cyclura, you might be better off to stick to the cubans. I have never had luck mixing the two, though those who keep them entirely indoors have had better luck as you can see from the picture below. These were in Wyoming.

Hi

Thanks for the info. I spoke with Lynn Peterson last night and he said that he knows you. Does it ring a bell? I have decided to go ahead with the trade. I like having the 2 cyclura but I don't have the space for 2 cages right now. Although I will in 2 years when they need a bigger cage. Anyway, thanks for the advice and I will post some pics when I get the rhinos

Please don't count on being able to keep the two Rhinos together for 2 years. They may be fine together for a month, or 6 months, or even a year, but you must be prepared to separate them if things turn sour. Doesn't matter if you have a pair or 2 females. They can still turn territorial and get aggressive toward each other. I recently had to separate my young Cubans for a short while. The female became quite aggressive toward the male and he was stressing.

n/p= no post

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I can seperate them if I have to. I am hoping to not. They have been raised together for a year so far, so I hope that will help. They will be in a 125 gallon tank which should give them enough space to feel ok don't you think? Obviously, I mean for the next year or so. I am heading off to Texas for a wediing so I probably won't respond to anything for a few days.....

Thanks again for your help

Separate basking areas and plates of food is sometimes required after the first 6-12 months. I have kept a pair in 100 gallons for the first 1-1/2 years, and a trio were kept in a 2x2x6 for 2-1/2 years. Although they did not always get along, because they were all pretty close in size none ever got seriously hurt. Good Luck.

Sorry, no bells ringing. Good luck, and congrats on getting your first pair of rhinos.