Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I have a near 2 y/o Rhino (sold to me as a male but I question that just). I will admit, that I was a little slack in my handling whine it was young (got him as a hatchling). But he is handfed and does ok with it. Often times will eat out of his bowl with my hand laying near and will take food out of my hand without snatching like he wants to run off. But I can't catch him without chasing him around the cage (with gloves on...b/c he WILL bite). I hate doing that bc that doesn't help. He has gotten loose (opened his sliding door) in the room twice and I have caught him (again with gloves) and sit and hold him until he calms down and will allow some rubbing. Today when he was out he didn't run off when he saw me walk in and even came up to eat out of my hand while I sat on the floor. He only freaked when he had to catch him. So...suggestions? I have read that Rhinos don't tame until 2 y/os and stuff like that. My boyfriend has experience taming and raising Greens and Tegus (we have a tame Red Tegu) but this Rhino is a different beast. I'm open to suggestions...

dang. overlook at the typos in my above message!!

Avoid Grabbing him. No lizard likes to be grabbed by a tight hand anticipating a bite. It almost assures that response. Resort to scooping him up if possible or hold a food item up your arm, so that he climbs onto your arm to get it. Cornuta take time to mellow, and are less predictable than other species, Good luck.

Thanks for your help. In the enclosure there is no scooping him up at the moment and I don't try to get him. I have only had to do it the times he got loose which GRRRR, pissed that happened but the sliding doors have been fixed and lizard proofed. I think sometimes when I handfeed he bypasses the offered food and "tastes" nips my finger/hand. I have been nipped twice like this and I know they can miss the food if they grab too fast, maybe that's happened. I just can't seem to get past the holding food (not in the palm of my hand) or placing my hand by the bowl. I know it can be a long process but we have been working on it for a year or better now and this seems to be as far as we have gotten.

ive tamed a few rhinos and cubans from hatchling to adult. this summer and fall i got a 1 yr cuban and a 3 yr old male rhino. bith were givin up do to there biting and bad attitudes. i noticed both were picked up with huge gloves and grabbed every time. after just 4 months either one will sit on my shoulder and i can pick up at anytime. they eat out of my hands. i just started with feeding them with tongs getting closer an closer till eating from my hand, then id touch them as they ate then put my hand under belly then just a little pick up like 2 inches off the ground the a full pick up. and yes they do not like to be grabbed.. and yes rock are no joke and can be quite formable when mad! tegus are nothing.. i have 4 tegus and a adult rhino that is angry is no joke.