Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone! I haven't posted in this forum, but after looking through the "regular" Ig forum, these igs cuaght my eye. I'm going to be getting a reptile withing about 3 months. I really like green igs, but all the horror stories about breeding season aggression make me frightened, and make me think that I shouldn't get one. What other species of iguanas are there, that captive bred babies are commonly available?? Do these igauanas still get as aggressive/moody as a lot of green igs do during breeding season, or when they get older? What are many of these iguanas personalities like? I work at a petstore, and have had herps before (no igs though), I'm going to be doing a lot (A LOT!!!) of research on whatever herp I decide to get, so I will be prepared by the time I end up getting my reptile. How big do some of the common igs get? What species would you reccommend and why, and also, please provide some websites/books for the species that you reccommend. Thanks so much, and I look forward to seeing some responses!! (I hope!)

SpookyScales

There are 4 cyclura species you can get, all captive bred. rhinos, cubans, cayman hybrids and caymanensis. This later one is harder to get. All have their own features. If keeping a green ig is like driving a car than a cyclura is having a truck. They are bigger, stronger, bigger bite, but the best thing is, smarter with more personality. Cyclura dont tame as fast but the end result is better. This is all my opinion after keeping greens and cyclura. most of the care instructions are real similar. The biggest is, what you dont need in height like you do with a green, you need in floor space. Cyclura like higher temps too.
There is no where near the info on cyclura that there is on captive greens and what is out there is harder to find. Try cyclura.com and look for David Blairs husbandry article. You can always ask ?'s here too. this forum is always slow.

Hello! I emailed a reptile store in my state, that has a CB baby rhino ig for sale. I also asked this store about other lizards, and he said that he would reccommend a rhino ig to me. He told me that they store's mascot is a 15 lb. rhino ig, and he said that it is very friendly, and the tamest lizard that he's ever known, he said that it walks around the store sometimes, and they take it to birthday parties! Would you suggest a rhino ig? Are rhino igs extremely hard to care for, and do you think that I'd be able to handle it? Do most rhino igs that are handled regularly have a fairly stable friendly temperment? Are they flight and kind of aggressive out of fear as youngsters, and if so typically when do they calm down? Do rhinos exhibit breeding season aggression like green igs? Do rhino igs give warnings before becoming in an aggressive mood and biting/whipping? How many of you have been bitten/whipped by your rhino ig? If anyone here has a rhino ig...PLEASE tell me ALL about it!! Also, how large do they usually get?? Any other websites that people can reccommend about rhinos would be soooo greatly appreciated! I'm very excited to find more out about these amazing creatures!!

SpookyScales

Would you suggest a rhino ig? Are rhino igs extremely hard to care for, and do you think that I'd be able to handle it?
-They are very cool but a fair amount of work. I have no idea if you can handle it. they are very hardy and tolerate a learning curve.

Do most rhino igs that are handled regularly have a fairly stable friendly temperment?
-Like people they all have different personalities, some sweet, some mean as hell. My guess is that you will have 2 frustrating years with it and then they seem to calm down. It all depends on how much you put into it.

Are they flight and kind of aggressive out of fear as youngsters, and if so typically when do they calm down?
- yes they are flighty till about 2yrs. till then they think you are going to eat it.

Do rhinos exhibit breeding season aggression like green igs? Do rhino igs give warnings before becoming in an aggressive mood and biting/whipping? How many of you have been bitten/whipped by your rhino ig?
-yes, yes and I have. it varies but yes there is a season like with all igs. It will give you warnings, its up to you to figure out what they are, some are subtle and some are obvious bobbing. Getting bit or whipped is always the keepers fault and the amount depends on your experience and personality of the rhino.

how large do they usually get??
- they get big and thick, 15lbs, maybe 4' is not unusual for a male. cyclura are kind of like fish stories they are usually bigger than they are. google rhinos and call breeders and talk to them. go see an adult , its a bit different than a cute baby. Would I recommend one, not to someone who has never had an iguana. you need to do your home work and make sure you have the room for an adult. They are worth the work, imo

Do your research, ask lots of questions, and then visit someone with a Rhino or other large lizard. I'm not going to tell you that keeping Rhinos is a walk in the park but I will say that they are my favorite Cyclura and are intelligent, interactive, amazing animals to keep.

They usually start out flighty and bitey, just like baby Green Iguanas. Most of them go thru a transformation right around the 2 year old mark. That's when they seem to realize that you are not a predator anymore, they are too large to be eaten by you, and they relax and calm down considerably (altho I have 2 15 month olds right now that have already reached this point). I can honestly say that I've never been tail-whipped by a Rhino but I have been bitten in handfeeding accidents and I'm glad they were just minor nips. An aggressive bite from an adult Rhino can cause some serious damage. My oldest male is 5 years old and I've yet to see any aggressive behavior from him during breeding season. My 6 year old female right now is a little over 4 feet long and weighs in at 16 pounds. I've heard of adult males weighing over 20 pounds.

I will agree with Joel that these are hardy animals and forgiving of most minor husbandry infractions. They can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than Green Iguanas and seem to be disease resistant. Mine thrive on varied diet suitable for Green Iguanas. UVB is a requirement. Keep in mind when you consider a Cyclura you are most likely making a lifelong committment. These guys live a long time, up to 50+ years.

Of all of my lizards, the Rhinos are the only ones that seem to seek out and really enjoy human interaction. My Rhinos are my most trustworthy and tolerant educational animals. We take them all over the state (and country LOL) for educational and conservation presentations. I've often said that if I were told that I could only keep one species I'd keep my Rhinos. I love my Greens, Cubans, hybrids, Tegus, and Monitors, but my Rhinos are definately my favorite.

Here's a few photos for you.

A friend with 2 of my Rhinos at Reptile Fest is Chicago '04

And just to show you the power of a Rhino bite..this went right thru the chin and broke the jaw bone. Loofah just had the wire removed yesterday

Hi, I have some info on my page at www.reptilecare.com/cyclura.htm It is mostly anecdotal info based on my somewhat limited experience. I currently have 2 rhinos and a caymanensis. I had a lewisi hybrid for 2 years who unfortunately perished as a result of egg laying issues. The info on my page was learned from trial and error and is due in no small part to the people on this list.

Carole

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