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Rhinoceros Iguanas (Cyclura
cornuta)
Rhinoceros iguanas are found
on a few islands in the
Caribbean. The iguanas that
belong to this genus are
among the most endangered
lizards in the world. Male
iguanas can reach an adult
size of four feet and weigh
over 20 pounds. Iguanas are
difficult to sex as babies
but mature males can be
distinguished by their
larger heads and jowls. The
easiest way to sex adult
Iguanas is the presence of
enlarged femoral pores.
These pores are located on
the underside of the back
legs, male iguanas’ pores
are noticeably larger. Male
iguanas are aggressive
towards each other and
should be housed
separately. Rhinoceros
iguanas are very long lived
and one can expect their pet
to live 20-40 years if
properly cared for.
Prehistoric Pets promotes
responsible reptile
ownership and we recommend
locking cages that prevent
accidental escape. Large
iguanas and other escaped
reptiles can have a negative
impact on the general public
which can lead to a ban of
reptile ownership.
Temperature and UV
Lighting
Rhinoceros iguanas should be
maintained at a daytime
temperature of 85-90
degrees, with a basking spot
reaching up to 95 degrees.
Night time temperatures
should be maintained between
70 -75 degrees. If your
home is cooler than these
temperatures at night you
will need a red or other
dark heat light to be used
at night. Iguanas come from
a fairly humid environment
and ideally you should mist
the cage a few times a
week. Rhinoceros iguanas
require 10-14 hours of UVB
light a day. This light
enables the iguana to
produce vitamin D3. The
vitamin D produced by UVB
metabolizes the calcium in
the lizards’ diet. In
general it’s what makes
iguanas’ bones hard and
without it they usually
die. This process of
inadequate UVB and calcium
is called Metabolic Bone
Disease. Also it is very
important to change your UVB
light every 6-8 months,
after this time the light
stops producing adequate UVB.
If you’re not sure if your
UV light is still producing
UVB, bring it in and we’ll
be happy to test the light
for you.
Calcium
Rhinoceros iguanas also
require a calcium and
vitamin supplement. This
supplement works with the
UVB light allowing the
lizard to receive the proper
amounts of calcium and
vitamins. This should be
used every day as babies and
reduced to 1-2 times a week
as adults. Calcium is sold
in a powder form and is
sprinkled on the vegetables
that you feed your Iguana.
You should apply a very
light coating to the food
items, being careful not to
waste any excess powder.
Bedding
Our recommendation for
bedding is moist play sand
and rocks.
Food and Water
Rhinoceros iguanas are
herbivores and their diet
should consist of green
leafy vegetables. The
following vegetables should
make up 80 percent of an
iguana’s diet: Collard
greens, mustard greens, red
leaf lettuce, green leaf
lettuce, romaine lettuce,
dandelion greens, hibiscus
leaves and flowers, green
onions, spinach, green
beans, zucchini, and frozen
mixed vegetables. Fruits
should make up the remaining
20% of an iguanas diet.
Examples of ideal fruits
are: Apples, bananas,
strawberries, figs, peaches,
mango, papaya, cantaloupe,
grapes, blackberries, and
blueberries. Iguanas also
can be fed dry pellet foods
as a supplement to the diet
stated above. Fresh clean
water should be available at
all times.
Cleaning and Handling
The terrarium should be
cleaned as necessary. Any
fecal matter or left over
food should be cleaned out
several times a week. The
bedding should be completely
changed once a month. The
inside of the terrarium can
be cleaned out with an
appropriate reptile cage
cleaner. We recommend
Natural Chemistry’s Healthy
Habitat. We recommend that
you handle your iguana a few
times each day for up to a
half an hour. This repeated
handling will help your new
pet get comfortable with you
and its new surroundings.
You can handle your iguana
for longer periods of time
once it has become more
accustomed to you and its
new habitat. Remember,
never pick up your iguana by
the tail, it can break off.