message about cycluras

[NicoleRussell]

This was taken from Marie Eguro's website (http://marie.thoughtshop.net/sapphire/sapphire.html)

If you want to adopt a cyclura, think how much work it would be to have another green iguana and then multiply that by 2,3,4 more times. Most of the cyclura available legally in the pet trade are much larger than green iguanas, and can you imagine a 29"+ SVL (Snout to Vent length) extremely powerful 30 pound rock cyclura male in breeding season that wants to kill you?

Yes, that would be like having Godzilla in your home!!!!

Cyclura need a lot more space than green igs, are a much longer commitment, and if a large cyclura got into a fight with your green iguana, no matter what the green iguana's size, chances are the green iguana is toast.
I have heard stories of even cyclura rhino females that would have killed large fully grown green iguana males, had a human not intervened. Cyclura males will not tolerate green iguana males around and will kill them. Cyclura are very territorial!!! Fully grown, they are also very strong animals, and as tame and trusting as they might get, they are still wild animals, even if they are fourth generation captive bred.

I do think it is only fair to tell both sides of the story and, yes, many cyclura, even males, are never aggressive and wonderfully long lived, beautiful pets, but you have to think of all the possibilities before adopting, which may be a lifelong commitment!!!
Bottom line - don't buy a cyclura unless you think very seriously about the potential problems involved as well as the joy of having a pet that will live a very long time and create much joy, and don't buy unless you are SURE you can give the cyclura iguana a secure, loving home for the next 30-50+ years.

[John_White]

Sounds like a dwarf caiman - Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

[NicoleRussell]

They are really wonderful creatures...but, like everything else there are more to them then just the good stuff (better temperament, prehistoric looking, super intelligent)---they are a big commitment and require alot of space, money and time.
Nomatter how much you love large reptiles you need to know going in what the possibilities are and what the absolutes will be