Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'd like to know if anyone can clarify the full size of an average full grown rhino ig. I see things like "2-4 feet" on many sites (with varying numbers) and I'd just like to know if anyone can clarify the average length of a full grown rhino. These numbers do not specify svl or total length, but seem inaccurate either way, so please do clarify...

Thanks for your help, and here's a pic of my little one from a month or so ago. She was VERY small when we got her as compared to her brother who we've been in contact with since before we got her (well his owners anyway). She caught up to him in size, and is over 13" (total length) now at 4-5 months old, but we're still afraid she might end up small. We basically know 2' is not possible as a total length, as we have a 2'spiny-tail (similis), and there is no way the rhino will stop growing there...She sheds almost constantly and eats like a horse. We want her to be big and beautiful, and will love her even if she ends up small as she is the most loving wonderful reptile I have ever kept (even at 5 months!). We just want to know what to expect.

Thanks again!

Here are some stats from our household which are probably pretty average.

Bubbles, 6 year old female: 44" STL, 18" SVL, approx 16#

Scrub, 5 year old male: 47" STL, 19" SVL, approx 15#

Loofah, 3 year old male: 38" STL, 16" SVL, approx 10#

Virgo, 15 mo old male?: 29" STL, 11" SVL, approx 1300gm

Nivea, 15 mo old male?: 24" STL, 10" SVL, approx 1100gm (he is regrowing a broken tail)

Bubbles is still gaining mass slowly, while Scrub had a terrific growth spurt this last year and put on inches, not weight. He is now just starting to bulk up a bit. Loofah had a bit of a setback when his jaw was broken and he wasn't eating as he normally does. The little guys just eat and grow and eat and grow. Nivea has grown about 9 inches since last August.

The 2 rescue boys from Long Island are both stunted and short at about 14 inches SVL. They have gained pounds since arriving here in late November. I'm not sure what their growth potential is going to be as a result of the poor care they received for a long time.

Thanks for the details. I definitely appreciate it. We keep thinking our little-one will end up small based on her size upon arrival, but I think she's got a great big heart that she's trying to grow into.

At only 5 months old (4 months with us), she's managed to catch up with her peers. I measured her today and she is 14" STL now. She also has grown to appreciate our presence, and enjoys being pet in her cage also allowing me to pick her up and take her out without even running away (well most of the time anyway). She doesn't poop on us anymore either, and is generally a great joy both in watching and handling her.

Thanks again for the info, and any other measurements from others are appreciated as well...

Here's a little pic of her from tonight trying to blend in with my blankets (and my hammer). It's the first time I trusted her enough to take my hands off her long enough to shoot a pic outside the bathroom. ENJOY!

They do start out teeny tiny. Loofah was just a smidgeon of a lizard when I received him at 3 weeks of age. I was amazed at how small he was. He's grown like the proverbial weed tho and will be a big boy, I think. Your husbandry is good so you have a lot of growing years ahead of you with your Rhino. Sit back, relax, and enjoy his babyhood.

Jane,
All your animals are on the high end of the growth curves when compared with mine -- Keep up the good job !

According to the West Indian Iguana Specialists Group, males up to 22" SVL, and females up to 20" SVL. Last October when I brought my animals indoors, My largest (a female) measured 20.5" SVL and weighed in at 16lbs - before being fed. She is 10-11 years old. My largest male is only 19" SVL, but has grown 1" (SVL) since he joined my group 2 years ago, and continues to grow. In general males and females grow at the same rate up until the 3rd summer when the females start producing eggs. The job of producing eggs stunts their growth. Some years when my females lay alot of eggs, there is no measurable growth (SVL). Other years, smaller clutches, or no eggs at all, and measurable growth.
The more frequently your iggy is fed, the faster she will grow, but what's the rush ? Of the 25 or more years you may own her, she will only be small for 2-4 ( enjoy them).