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Posted by IGUANA JOE on October 12, 2002 at 22:42:08:
In Reply to: Any Ctenosaura owners over here? I have a few questions... posted by Annaka on October 12, 2002 at 21:28:12:
The reason you cannot get a straight answer on ctenosauras is due to the numerous subspecies. Ctenosaura defensor is I believe, the smallest and most colorful. It is about 2 feet long, if not less. The ctenosaura similis and pectinata are the bigger ones, both ranging between 3 to 4 feet in length. The former being the longest, but I'll have to double check.
Then you have all the other subspecies that range between 2.5' to 3'.
Diet as juveniles is more protein oriented, say, 50/50. You can tell ctenosauras are omnivorous by just looking at their teeth. They are more long and pointy, definately used to hold and crush prey, but similar enough like green iguanas to shred vegetable matter as well. As adults, the diet can be 10%-20% protein, and 80%-90% vegetable. The usual gut-loaded insects and iguana salads can be offered, however I've heard of them be offered cooked eggs and pinkies.
I know of 1 tame ctenosaura, but it isn't exactly a lap-pet like its green brethen. At least it doesn't go psycho.
Even if the animal is smaller than the green iguana, the enclosure should be very close to the measurements of the green's. A foot or two of difference doesn't mean they can live in a much smaller enclosure.
Just like green iguanas and cycluras are NOT recommended to share the same space, the same applies with the neurotic ctenosauras. You may give it a try, but it won't be pretty...
There are exception, but why risk it right?
In the cyclura/ctenosaura forum below, there is a guy MARK M. who breeds them. That forum is a bit sleepy sometimes, so be patient. I do not know of any breeders, since these are, unfortunately, the least desireable of the iguanas. Their skittish and snappy personality gave them a bad rep. You could say they are to iguanas what nile monitors are to monitor lizards. But there are exceptions.
Search around, or write to REPTILES MAGAZINE. They are great, and should be able to point you in the right direction. Look at adoption or classifieds also, since it is very likely someone cannot keep them any longer.
The one positive side to these demons from hell is their apparent greater intelligence in comparison to green iguanas. And they can be quiet eye-candy during breeding season.
Good luck with them. Expect them to live a bit longer than their green cousins, say up to 20 years or so.
Keep us posted!
-IJ
