Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila)

Short answers

Cuban rock iguana: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Very large; at least ~250×150×150 cm for one adult animal, better a room or outdoor facility of several m².

Cuban rock iguana: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C (hot basking spot), at night 22–24 °C.

Cuban rock iguana: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB essential, high (an open-country sun species, Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6).

Cuban rock iguana: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–40+ years (Cyclura are very long-lived).

Cuban rock iguana: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C (hot basking spot)

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

UVB essential, high (an open-country sun species, Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6)

Enclosure

Minimum size

Very large; at least ~250×150×150 cm for one adult animal, better a room or outdoor facility of several m²

Substrate

A sand, soil and loam mix they can dig in (quartz sand, for example) with stones and roots as heat stores

Feeding

Food

Mostly plant-based (leaves, flowers, vegetables, herbs, little fruit), occasionally animal food (a mouse now and then)

Feeding interval

adults plant food daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~150 cm total length (males), a very powerful body – the largest Cyclura species

Life expectancy

25–40+ years (Cyclura are very long-lived)

Origin

Cuba and its offshore islands (including Cayo Largo del Sur)

Protection status

CITES Appendix I / EU Regulation Annex A – strictly protected, IUCN "Vulnerable". Proof of origin plus commercial-use and registration duties; only documented captive-bred animals are legal

Brumation

No real winter rest; seasonal climate and light cycles (a cooler, shorter winter spell) encourage reproduction

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; outside the mating season it is extremely aggressive and territorial. NEVER keep males together. Only temporarily 1.1 under supervision with a great deal of space and structure

Notes

It grows very large, very old and powerful – a genuine lifetime commitment with an enormous space, warmth and UV requirement. A powerful bite. CITES papers are essential. Adults are mainly plant-eating (too much animal food → gout and kidney damage).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Anegada ground iguana (Cyclura pinguis) – Expert
• Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) – Expert
• Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei) – Expert
• Rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta) – Expert
• Ricord's iguana (Cyclura ricordii) – Expert
• San Salvador rock iguana (Cyclura rileyi) – Expert
• Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) – Expert
• Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Cuban rock iguana (Cyclura nubila) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (Very large; at least ~250×150×150 cm for one adult animal, better a room or outdoor facility of several m²), substrate (A sand, soil and loam mix they can dig in (quartz sand, for example) with stones and roots as heat stores), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.