Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking for someone who has kept C. similis (Black Spiny-Tailed Iguanas) as a pet.

What I'm hoping for are experiences with these lizards in captivity. Do they tame? What sort of complications are involved in their care? How do they compare to the more traditional Green Iguana in terms of temprament?

My interest is piqued by recent conversations with people who've had problems with wild C. similis here in Florida. The general consensus I've been hearing is that these animals are unsuitable as pets, but I wanted to hear the other side from people who keep them successfully.

If you don't want to reply here, please send e-mail to scott.ladd@gmail.com.

Thank you.
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Scott Robert Ladd
1.0.0 Iguana (Rex)
1.1.0 African Giant Plated Lizard (Clyde, Cassie)
1.0.1 Uro mali (Wizard, Dizzy)
0.1.0 Corn Snake (Amber)
0.1.0 Red-Eared Sliders (Emerald)
0.0.1 Musk Turtle (Sausage)
1.1.0 Parakeet (Thor, Zeus)
1.4.0 Homo sapiens (Scott, Maria, Elora, Becky, Tessa)
blog: http://chaoticcoyote.blogspot.com/

they will usally eat anything and thrive under proper conditions. Usually once settled in they are not too flighty. They usually make pretty poor pets though. Very aggressive and it takes a lot of patience to tame them down if they will tame down at all. There are exceptions just like with any kind of lizard. Even if they don't tame down they will usually come to recognize you as a food source and even eat out of your hand but try to pick them up and watch out!

I currently have one sub adult male and one adult female C. similis. (although I'm looking for another female) They take much more time to tame and can still be unpredictable. My male tried to take my thumb off for no reason a few months back. However with patience and determination they can be made into suitable pets.
www.photobucket.comdark_twr
This is a picture of my male.