Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey guys. i wanted to know if i should get a rhino iguana. i didn't really see much but green iguanas here so just wanted to know what you think. can they be tamed easily just like green iguanas?
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0.1.0 cranwells pacman- hannibal
0.0.1 firebelly toad- doodlebug
0.1.0 southern painted turtle- mr.tortle
1.0.0 pinto hedgehog- dante
1.0.0 brindle boxer- bruiser
1.0.0 ball python- noah (kinda mine)

Rhinos and greens are very similar, and Jiffy will be better versed to answer this. One thing to really recognize. Rhinos are MUCH more powerful and stronger in their compact bodies than greens. While they remain far shorter, they are also MUCH more muscular. One other thing I have learned with Rhinos or other cyclura is they tend to do far better as free roamers. They really seem to need more space than greens. Lastly they seem far more intellegent in comparison. They will actually reason things out such as how to get out of enclosures. While basic care and husbandry are similar, they are somewhat different in nature. Both can be tamed with regular work, but remember in rhinos they have more strength and that needs to be addressed by the owner before they look at them.

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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Getting an iguana should be a well thought out decision, whether it be a Green or one of the Cyclura species. What you need to keep in mind is that the purchase of a Rhino Iguana is, most likely, a life long committment. They can live for 50+ years. Everything Cindy already said is quite true. Adult Rhinos (and males can weigh upwards of 30 pounds) are very powerful animals and not easy to handle if they are not well socialized. It's fortunate that, with dedication, they are easily tamed and socialized.

It is my opinion that they are more intelligent than their Green cousins. Sometimes you can almost see the wheels turning in their heads as they try to figure out how to get somewhere, or which path to the food is quicker and easier. They are quite expressive with their eyes and postures. They also seem to "enjoy" interaction with their human caretakers. Mine will often seek me out and "ask" to be picked up by placing their front feet on my leg. I have not seen many Green Iguanas behave in this manner.

If you'd like to ask more questions please hop over to the Cyclura and Cteno forum. There are quite a few Rhino owners over there and many of us also keep Greens so you will hear both views. I love the Green Iguanas that come under my care but Rhinos will always be special. There's just something so different and mystical about them.

i've had green iguanas. i say had because unfortunately i bought them already sick and with MBD. they lasted only a couple years. i'm aware of their strength, weight, and caging needs. i just wanted to know if they like being held. i read somewhere that they HATE it. it said they prefer being petted as opposed to being pick up. maybe you can help me out. i want to get a baby lizard for a 40 gal. breeder tank. as it grows i will accomodate it to a bigger home. i want a lizard that will be nice and robust. and not a bearded dragon. thats kinda small. just to give you an idea. thanks a lot.
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0.1.0 cranwells pacman- hannibal
0.0.1 firebelly toad- doodlebug
0.1.0 southern painted turtle- mr.tortle
1.0.0 pinto hedgehog- dante
1.0.0 brindle boxer- bruiser
1.0.0 ball python- noah (kinda mine)

Even baby Rhinos will quickly need a replacement for a 40 gallon. I have a 2 year old male and he wouldnt even FIT in a 40 right now. Very few young reptiles that hit the larger sizes would work with a 40 well. A young water dragon may last in there for 1-2 years but that would be max.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Try using a shoehorn, they slide in much better and should fit in a 40 gal for at least another year.

I think that is one of the really difficult things I have found with getting an iguana. I got used to snakes needing closed in areas and smaller space to feel more secure, etc with most lizards the more room the better! I know that they are completely different but being new to reptiles I still tend to fall back into lumping them all together (I don't mean in the same cage, just generalizations).
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Mine all tolerate being held but more so after they reach the 2-2.5 year old mark. Two of them actually seem to enjoy it for periods of time. Once they get mature it's not so much fun carrying around a 20+ pound lizard.

A 40 breeder tank may last you a year, depending on how fast your baby grows. I kept my last hatchling in a 30 gallon until it was about 8 months old but he grew like a weed!! He was also only 3 weeks old when I got him and just a smidgeon of a lizard. Just figure that you'll need at least a 90 gallon or a custom cage by the time it's a year old.

These photos are Loofah at 3 weeks and 2 years of age.

any ideas for what lizard i should get? the 40 gal. is just temporary and i'll take it out everyday to free roam. i dunno...
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0.1.0 cranwells pacman- hannibal
0.0.1 firebelly toad- doodlebug
0.1.0 southern painted turtle- mr.tortle
1.0.0 pinto hedgehog- dante
0.1.0 crested gecko
1.0.0 brindle boxer- bruiser
1.0.0 ball python- noah (kinda mine)