Cuban Rock Iguana

[maddogg9019]

I was just looking around and saw a beautiful Rock Iguana in one of the other forums I frequent and thought I'd take a look as to the care of these beasts. I didn't find much in terms of housing them but I did find that they are known to be quite docile which was a big plus for me. Does anyone keep these guys? What size cage would I be looking at for a lone male if I was looking to purchase one? Are there any other info you think I should know before I buy/after? thanks for the help, I just thought I should look into them.

 

[RehabRalphy]

There aren't to many articles on the net about rock iguanas. You can look at <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.blueiguana.ky">www.blueiguana.ky</a><!-- w --> for a little information and also <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cyclura.com">www.cyclura.com</a><!-- w --> .

Books wise, I recently purchase Kaplan's Iguana book as well as Iguanas Biology and Conservation too. Both which have very limited cyclura information, but what it does have is pretty good reading.

I've been told that housing wise, they are kept pretty much the same way as green iguanas. For my future rock iguana, he'll be staying in an 8'x6'x6' cage. You want a lot of space for these big iguanas.

On a side note, quite docile indeed. Very calm personalities. Though, if one wanted to, it could do some major damage with the amount of jaw pressure they are packing.

 

[COWHER]

I might be totally wrong but I think JIF keeps them

 

[MMRR - jif]

I do, I certainly do. Actually, I think they keep me! It's late and I'm really tired so I'll try to post more on Cyclura tomorrow.

 

[maddogg9019]

okay great thanks for the help everyone and awesome Rhino Iguana.

 

[MMRR - jif]

The Cyclura species of lizards are highly intelligent captives and can become very well socialized if raised properly. They are, by far, my most favorite lizard. The species most commonly kept as pets are the Rhino (Cyclura cornuta cornuta), Cuban Rock (Cyclura nubila nubila), Caymanensis (Cyclura caymanensis), and the Grand Cayman Blue hybrid (C. lewisi X). Average size for all common species is 4-5 feet STL and 20-25 pounds for males, females being slightly smaller. Cyclura lifespan is 50+ years.

Cyclura are a terrestrial iguana, and an herbivore. Females typically lay clutches of 12-30 eggs in late spring or early summer, and hatchlings emerge from the nests in October or November.

I keep all species mentioned above and I dearly love my Rhinos. They are the most social and docile of all of them and sometimes actually seem to seek out human attention and interaction. They are trustworthy educational animals. The Cubans come in a close second but they are not as tolerant as the Rhinos. My male Cuban is a gorgeous specimen. Cubans tend to be slower growers than the other species, also. The Grand Cayman Blue hybrids can be stunning creatures but the really attractive ones are getting more and more difficult to find as the Blue DNA gets more diluted.

For info on Cyclura iguanas you can visit:
http://cyclura.com/
http://www.ircf.org/index.php
http://www.umich.edu/~esupdate/library/96.07-08/hudson.html
http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=61

If you are interested in any more personal information about Cyclura feel free to send me a message.

[img]http://www.repticzone.net/images/109/Azul-July03.JPG[/img]

 

[Lexi]

awesome pics Jif. they are amazing!!!!

 

[joshandjack]

wow jif you really have some awesome lizards. the cayman hybrid on the bottom pick is stunning. how long did it take your cubans to mature? mine are coming into there fourth year and both of them are still under four feet. but ive heard it usually takes them four or five years to mature.

 

[MMRR - jif]

LOL My cubans are 7 years old and still under 4 feet. I have found them to be the slowest growers of all of my Cyclura. They are sexually mature at 3 years of age, my female laid eggs before her 3rd birthday.

 

[MMRR - jif]

Thanks everyone! I find the Cyclura and Ctenos amazing animals to care for and interact with and a joy to work with.

 

[maddogg9019]

jif you might like the banana phase ctenosaur similis (I think that's right) everyone I've talked to that has them LOVES them. They talk about how colorfull, and personable they are!

 

[MMRR - jif]

LOL I already keep banana pectinatas and yes, they are very docile, sweet lizards. My handicapped male is just a doll!! Sorry for the crappy photo.

 

[maddogg9019]

lol what don't you have? Man your house must be 90% reptile 10% house lol. They were also on my 3 page list of must have reptiles

 

[ApriliaRufo]

And she will be called. Jane. Queen of the Jungle.

:wnw :wnw :wnw