Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those with experience with rhino igs do you guys find the taming process easier if the iggie looks at you as its resource provider i.e. food, water, provider or is handling a common practice eventhough the animal gets upset? This is my first cyclura most of experience is with my pair of mertens and flavirufus monitors and they see me as another common event in their lives because i dont handle them by force they come to me for food and water etc.....

Its an interesting topic that comes up a lot on the monitor forum(I lurk). The common iguana technique is to handle, handle, handle. I didnt do that with either of mine and they are very tame. It was mostly do to lack of time on my part but it worked. I can pick them up or pet them whenever I want. I stopped feeding mine by hand though. My rhino would come out fast and hungry if he thought I had food. I couldn't make a fist with my hand. They only get food in their bowls and they are much calmer. So I guess in my case I am a common event for them. I know for a fact that you may get another opinion on how handling is the way to go. Just to be clear I have done the handling method too and it worked fine. I guess it depends on the response of your cyclura to the method you try and whether you should try something else. I dont think there is on right way. Does this help?

If you feed by hand sooner or later they might accidentally nip your hand, or someone elses. Best to bring the good in a plate, they will still come running when you bring the food. and usually arch backs and tails when being submissive for petting. Good luck.