Cyclura cornuta diet

[Zorak]

Ok I have to ask this question here about what to feed a cornuta. I've been strictly feeding my Zorak plants for the 3 years I've had him. After talking to the vet today about his broken leg he says I should be feeding him raw hamburg, mealworms and crickets. And if I don't feed him animal protein his organs will shut down and he will die. Everything I've read on Cyclura's say they only eat the occasional bug by accident that happens to be on a plant they may grab a hold of.

I'm really conflicted as to what to do. Everything I've reads says never give your Cyclura raw meat or insects to eat. Anyone know?

[Zorak]

Ok I found another vet licensed for exotics about 80 miles from me. I got her to talk to me on the phone. She told me that she doesn't like talking bad about other vets but she has no clue why anyone would ever tell me to feed my cornuta raw hamburg and mealworms. She was also very nice and told me how I can go about wrapping his arm and giving him calcium supplements to help him heal.

After two unsuccessful attempts at wrapping his arm today I think I finally got it. The second vet told me to make sure I wrap tighter than I would normally think to because iguana's can be escape artists. She also said to be creative in how I wrap him to prevent him from getting out of the bandage. My wife and I went to work and wrapped him up good. He doesn't like it but he seems to be unable to get out this time.

So in time he should heal up nicely with the supplements and love. I'm curious how many times a week do you guys give your ig's supplements? I picked up T-Rex Calcium/Phosphorus 2:1 ratio with vitamins to give him. It says 1-2 teasthingys of the powder on his food 2 or 3 times a week. Do you guys have any other suggestions on what type of 2:1 supplement would be best for an ig? Thanks.

[prismwolf]

The second vet is dead-on. I'm glad you found her. It used to be widely thought that cyclura ate animal protein and plant. Recent studies show it's not so. They are just as hard hit as the greens when animal protein is offered.

I stay away from any calcium with additives. With a well balanced diet the phosphorous can actually become too high. Even with a 2:1 ratio this can happen since it's more calcium the body needs to utilize as a general rule...not phosphorous. I supplement a couple of times a month with my adult male. 1-2 tsp. sounds like way too much. The problem with a lot of reptile supplements is that they give a "one size for all" type of dosing chart. Yours may have a breakdown for size, but if not...you certainly couldn't supplement that much for a baby. I just sprinkle it lightly over the top. You shouldn't even be able to see the powder once it settles. Some people even put it in a salt shaker and do a light sprinkle with that. The only vitamins I offer is B12. I offer this at the same time I do the calcium.

[Zorak]

I found out by using one level teasthingy that it's way too much. I've just been sprinkling a tiny bit on his food every day. I know he will need the extra calcium for a week or so to help mend his leg.

Everything I've read says that the 2:1 is what the plant eaters need. There is so much conflicting information it's hard to decipher what and what not to do. The bottle says for baby iguanas to sprinkle generous amounts on their food every day. I can't imagine having to use that much of the powder. For now I'll stick to sprinkling a tiny bit on his food every day until he's healed up. Then I'll switch to once every couple weeks.

The problem now is getting him to eat. Since he's been wrapped up he just sits in one spot and doesn't move much. I had put the stretchy wrap over the vet tape. I left for an hour to shop and when I got home the stretchy wrap stuff was down around his lower body and his tail was bleeding at the end. My aunt said he was freaking out trying to get the tape off his body. In the process he pulled the scab off the end of his tail and made it bleed a little. Fortunately he was unable to get the vet tape off and his arm is in place

[Zorak]

I forgot to ask what you guys normally use for the main type of food? I've been using the purple lettuce, romaine and either mustard greens or collard greens. I also throw in some carrot and green beans. He also really likes grapes and strawberries too.

[prismwolf]

O.K...this is easy, but definitely needing a change. Get rid of both lettuces first. This is an empty food. I'm supposed to put together a diet guide for the forum...but I've been pretty busy. I just need to make time. In the meantime...here's a couple of diet variations you can - and should - use. It's also what I feed my guys...from the ig, to the plated lizard, veiled chameleons, gerbils, thingyatiels, dove and African gray. It's good for everyone.

**Diet Variation #1:
Collard greens
mustard greens
turnip greens
parsnips (grated)
dandelion greens (when available)
cilantro
green beans (chopped)
yellow bell pepper (chopped)
acorn squash (grated w/peel left on)
Bag of Dole Mediterranean Blend
grapes (seedless)
blueberries

**Diet variation #2
Collard greens
turnip greens
mustard greens
parsnips
arugula
watercress
yellow wax beans (chopped small)
red bell pepper
jalepeno pepper (seeds and flesh removed)
spaghetti squash (grated w/peel)
butternut squash (grated w/peel)
raspberry

There are literally dozens of variations. Make sure you take out the main stem from the greens leaves. You can discard them, feed them to a dog, rabbits or guinea you may have. Even parrots will benefit from these...or if you have a food processor you can chop them very small like the green beans and add them into the main salad. You can also add them to the compost pile.

The general rule of thumb is one bunch of each of the greens. Cut the bottoms off each bunch of greens like you would a flower arrangement being put into a vase of water. Use a large, tall pot and fill with just a couple of inches of water. Let soak for an hour. This adds extra moisture to the greens and help keep them fresh. Remove and dab the excess water off with paper towels or terry cloth hand towel.

Remove the leaf from the main stem. I use scissors to cut all of this up. I then cut up one whole bunch of cilantro down to the I usually throw those out or feed them to whatever rodents or birds I might have at the time - or put them in a compost pile. The rest goes in the food processor. In the chopping mode I place one BIG handful of fresh green beans. I only feed two bell peppers at one time alternating the attracting color...and this adds a good source of hydration, too. Remove the seeds and stem. Chop, but not much or it will turn to mush.

On the grate feature I put in only two types of squash (sometimes more) and the parsnips. Depending on the size of the squash delegates how much of it I use. The fruits you will use very little of. The blueberries have a large seed inside, so only feed them every 2-3 days giving them a chance to pass. Geusstimate about 10% of what you are feeding for the day. You may need to cut grapes in half depending upon their size.

I mix the whole darn salad together. I usually make a huge mess doing it, too. I use the kitchen sink and sometimes it's just not big enough. Remember this rule. The smaller you chop the foods, the less time they stay fresh. I fill several gallon size containers at a time...by the end of the week or a little before...I'm ready to make some more...and the foods start getting soggy.

For longevity...I would keep out the really juicy foods until it's time to feed. The peppers would qualify for juicy.

[Zorak]

Great! Thank you for the information. I've always wondered what other people fed their igs. I guess I'll be making a trip to the grocery store tonight to buy stuff.

Makes me realize how crappy I was feeding my guy. What is worse is that the guy I bought him from gave me pellets and said just feed him these. Zorak has never eaten them no matter how many times I gave them to him. I just threw them in the garbage after a couple months of trying. It's also amazing how many people just feed their igs iceburg lettuce and use a regular lightbulb. No wonder so many igs die or are deformed from MDB.

[prismwolf]

You're welcome...:-)

Pellets can be a small addition and it's actually a good way to get moisture into them if used as just a salad topper. I'm out now, but when I use them the only brand I will suggest is the Rep-Cal iguana pellets soaked in water. If fed dry these can help create severe dehydration as the pellets pull moisture from the ig's body.

It's also amazing how many people just feed their igs iceburg lettuce and use a regular lightbulb. No wonder so many igs die or are deformed from MDB.

*RAISES HAND* Yup...I was one of those...although I did add broccoli and carrots. Zair nearly died from MBD...and at 10 yrs old (this happened when he was 1 1/2) he is severely stunted at 52". Apparently you are doing something more right than I was...adding UVB and real sun has been their saving grace along with at least a little of the right foods...;-)

[Zorak]

I have a feeling I may have stunted Zorak's growth by not giving him enough of the right stuff to eat. I had originally been giving him spinach a lot and didn't realize it absorbs the calcium. Add to that I wasn't giving him enough variety in greens and too much of the lettuces.

It's been hard getting any type of definitive answer on how to care for Cyclura's properly. The only thing I do know for sure is that they are not quite the same as green igs. It's unfortunate that Zorak has had to endure my ignorance on how to properly care for him over the 3 years I've had him. I'm glad I found this website and hope that with help I can make life better for him.

[prismwolf]

You know...I think you might get some really good answers if this guy offers advice for public inquiries. I've heard good things over the years about David Blair who specializes in raising CB cyclura of many species. Here's his website: David Blair's Cyclura Iguanas. Maybe give him a try?

[Zorak]

I tried messaging David Blair when I first got Zorak. I've never received a response to any message I've sent him. I'm assuming he has bigger and better things to do.

[prismwolf]

What a shame. He sure would be helpful with this wonderful lizard. I know over the years they've been regarded as being more like greens in their care except for the high humidity and a bit higher in temps. Lots of cyclura are living longer because of it, too...but there's still an awful lot to learn.

[Zorak]

I've tried sending David Blair another email. Still waiting for a response. I fear the outcome will be the same.

[Zorak]

I've been using your recommendations on feeding. My guy seems to be only interested in picking out the fruit. So I've decided no fruit for him until he starts eating the greens. It's funny also that he will pick out the lettuce and leave all the other stuff. I blame myself for giving him such a heavy lettuce diet for the past couple years. He's just used to it I guess.

Today he finally ate a decent amount of the new greens. I also unwrapped his front leg. He is still favoring it but I was told to wrap it for only 5 to 7 days.

[prismwolf]

He'll get used to the good stuff. Sounds like he's already started. Glad to hear his leg is coming along, too. He'll be back in the game in no time...:-D