Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay so Ive been thinking of getting either a regular ig or a Cuban rock iguana.
Now I used to own a Arg. tegu for several years, he was massive and easily over 4ft.I had to sell him because my hubby got very sick(longterm illness) and I couldnt deal with everything at that time..

Heres the problem, it gets very cold here in winter.It wasnt as big a deal with a tegu since they burmate/hibernate whatever you call it nowadays.And I kept him in the warm attic in a 10ft pen but he mostly slept in his bin through winter.

How hard are Cyclura to care for in Winter? I can keep it outside in summer.Do they need "alot" of heat? I thought I read somewhere that they need very high heat but Ive just browsed through care sheets for now.
Basically would the care requirements be the same as a green iguana? I could easily make an indoor pen for a Greenie but not sure about a rock.
Thanks so much for putting up with this long post.

I was hoping to get some info here.But looks like Im being snubbed.
Still trying to decide if the care requirements are different then the green igs.
I read the cyclura needs 120 degree basking yet I see them on Tom crutchfields youtube being outside in Florida with no extra basking heat.It doesnt get 120 in Fl that often.Just keep coming up with alot of different opinions on care requirements.

I also need to know if 18 square feet of floor space plus shelves to add some more square footage be adequate during the cold months? I can go as big as I want for an outside pen in summer but it will rarely get 120 for a basking outside.

Ambient temp is different than basking temp. If you had a tegu that long I am surprised you are confusing the two. 120 is correct for basking but the low end imo.
Winter? there is no winter for cyclura. Have you researched where they come from, can u get close to those temps and humidity and maintain that year 'round. They do take a bit more heat than greens. What happens outside your house doesn't matter to the lizard its about the artificial habitat you provide. For the most part cyclura are ground pounders though they will climb. Give them the most floor space you can and they will use all of it. If you can maintain a proper temp gradient, a hide, room for food and water in 18"sq ft then your good. It feels small to me,(I'm considering an adult). If it will just winter in that space maybe it could work.
Most of the answers you are looking for are on the forum already as are the few good reference sources. Good luck with your research they are rewarding with proper care and patience

jf

You weren't being snubbed. The list just hasn't been that active lately. As far as enclosure size, 18 square feet will work for a baby, but is not even close for an adult.