CUBAN ROCK IGUANAS IN THE WILD (are we keeping them correctly?)

When it comes to pet reptiles, cycluas, commonly known as rock iguanas are on of the perfect pet lizards you can get. It's like having a pet dinosaur, but what do we really know about how they are living in the wild? In this video, I go herping in Puerto Rico to a protected island off the southern coast to investigate how these amazing iguanas are living in the wild so we better know how to care for them in our homes.
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About Dāv Kaufman
Hey Everyone, I’m Dāv Kaufman. I’m a film producer and author and I travel around the world filming amazing reptile, fishing and animal adventures! I’m also an ardent conservationist and reptile breeder, specializing in New Caledonian geckos, bullsnakes, hognose snakes, and ball pythons, especially pied morphs. I hold a BA in History and Media Studies and graduated Summa Cum Laude. In my travels around the world, I strive to create educational and entertaining videos about all animals from common and exotic pets and how they are living in the wild, to animal caregivers and keepers of exotics, to fishing expeditions from the exotic to local waterways. Come and join my adventures on all three channels!
#cyclura #davkaufman #rattleon

[@kmckee18]

Important to note most desert/arid reptiles tend to sleep somewhere much more humid (underground) than the outdoor RH. It would be cool to see some underground RH readings. Great series!

[@DabKing999]

I love how much information you give us no one else is going out there and showing us how animals live in the wild and how they should be kept

[@tracieandthecrazyturtle477]

I just love these videos where you take us to where the animals live naturally

[@cara9648]

It really looks like you could be in Colorado! It's so cool to see how they're thriving on the island. I'm really happy you do this series! Thank you. Being able to replicate their natural habitat to give them the best life is all I want to do as a keeper when I get some.

[@fernandomendoza6949]

That's what I was thinking it looks like they're right outside of Pueblo Colorado

[@cara9648]

@@fernandomendoza6949 Yes! Definitely the southern part of the state, but it does bring Pueblo to mind.

[@mannylozano8146]

Would love to see you do a video on the natural habitat of tegus in Argentina. That would be amazing

[@cara9648]

Yes!! That would be fantastic. They're a dream reptile of mine

[@wanderingangelstudio1359]

Yes!! I kept an Argentine red. Beautiful animals!

[@carschmn]

Sitting in my armchair eating popcorn watching Dav Kaufman: seems like a good morning.

[@krystalb8276]

Your sarcastic sense of humor is the best and I absolutely love it. "Way off into the ocean... right there" lol

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

I used to work on that island and I remember the Cuban iguanas and having to step over the lazy ones who wouldn’t move off the sidewalks and footpaths.

[@carltoncarnivores]

Was just listening to one of the Animals at Home podcasts, and they mentioned Cyclura basically needing some of the highest UV exposure of any reptile. Those high readings definitely support that.

[@THEGEEK-wo5lb]

This video just shows you why Cycluras iguanas are the goat my guy walked up to a wild Cuban rock iguana and just picked it up any other lizard would have just dipped but man it just amazing to see even naturally these guys are pretty calm

[@crystalbainbridge5339]

Love the way you educate through all you're videos and it's fantastic because we never stop learning in life. Take care Dave.

[@lesamonroe2355]

I love your videos and I love that you love these precious animals enough to take your money and time to where they live to teach us how to care for our precious critters great and small thank you

[@DaveDurham]

Well 122 comments so you might not read this one, but if you do I would like you to know that I believe the rock iguana, specifically the Cayman Brac rock iguana I have found to be the smartest reptile species ever recorded. So I hope people stop saying the monitor lizard is smarter. I know over the years I even thought that, but when training monitors although inquisitive, have never seemed to be quite as observant or interested as the Cayman Brac, or even the rhino. I did like you using the temp gun and humidity gage, we even use the same temp gun! I also believe they are more likely to eat animal protein when available, but maybe the island doesnt have as many animals as a mainland would. If I offer my rock iguanas animal protein and vegetation at the same time, they will go for the animal protein, from hatchlings to adult makes no difference. Thanks for the video

[@morphcityreptiles]

This was a great watch, I’ve just started to build a Cuban rock iguana enclosure for a pair.

[@billythekid6509]

Dav bro that was so cool to see that Cuban take that flower from your hand. I really hope I can meet u one day when u make another trip to Florida.

[@RadReptile615]

Another great video Dav!!!!! Can’t wait for your review of Iguana land one of the grand opening finally happens. Next time you get to the Bahamas can you give us a fast perspective on what’s going on with the tourists feeding the native cyclura over there it’s having some detrimental effects i here....

[@dixongecko8018]

True but the burrows themselves act as humid microclimate so the humidity is likley higher in those burrows. It would have been cool to see the readings of how far down they went and what they were. I would suspect around 70%.

[@kellybraun7048]

He usually tries to get underground humidity readings too (like in the ball python movie). Maybe he didn’t find a burrow? If they were too far off the paths, it might’ve been a matter of not being allowed off the paths.

[@scrubjay93]

That was a wonderful video! Love the flower feeding 🤗 They would be so fun to study on that naturally isolated population! Doesn't appear that food is limiting; they seem more abundant than even seems natural. Must be all that fruit floating to shore added to the island's food resources. Lucky iguanas. They look very happy, healthy, and quite confident in their tail whipping abilities. Very dragon-like eyes. They remind of the marine iguanas on the Galapagos Isles.

[@MotherTruckinReptiles]

I'm still waiting for a python Regius in the wild video. This is the best series for reptile keeping!

[@kathymoline5598]

The extended warranty had me cracking up. Lolol

[@MrActionproductions]

Man the drone footage gives great perspective.

[@jhurley4481]

Another great video, what I cant understand is it has 600 views but only 107 likes, come on people hit the like button!! Dave gos to great effort and has excellent content that's very well produced . Keep up the Excellent work Dave.

[@thetangibles8242]

I don't understand how Dav doesn't have a mill subs

[@mistyabernot]

If you ever need another buddy to tag along, count me in Dāv 🤩

[@coleaugust4792]

If you ever find yourself around the Amazon basin I’d love to see a video on Amazon basin emerald tree boas, redfoot tortoises, or spilotes pullatus

[@sarahwinans8415]

Incredibly informative! Thank you

[@loispadgett6306]

Thank you for show those beautiful reptiles too us. I love those species. GOD BLESS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@studbourbon798]

Cool video, this is why I love Key West, they are everywhere. And the chickens are cool too.

[@gregcalzada6710]

Dav my favorite part of your videos is the rattler awards. When I was in the Army when you did something really awesome you were giving a coin by a higher ranking officer. As an infantryman I would take a coin over a bronze star. There is something special about them. I think when your handing out rattler awards you should hand out coins of your own custom designs being that you are the highest ranking officer in the herp community I think it would be a sacred item for the recipient. RATTLE ON!!!!

[@kyleerosee3]

Literally my dream to be surrounded by them. Im pretty sure that ive dreamt about this before... You may have been in it lmfao. Looks like so much fun and yes i do agree about it being closed to the public and people trespassing should be arrested... Protect them at all costs.

[@calelreptiles2715]

I love these are we keeping them right series

[@BradT_Herping]

So cool that The Island is protected. We need to do that with papua New Guinea for crocodile monitors

[@jontaylor938]

So cool dav! Thanks for sharing! Love this channel.

[@aleksnikolic7765]

Hey, awesome video! I love this series, and I think you should maybe try to make a video about leopard geckos in the wild (because there's not a lot of research about them in the wild, so this would be a hit video!) and maybe some tortoise or turtle species! I think your fans would enjoy them!

[@jdssurf]

I like these vids Dav, would be cool to see the monthly changes in these areas since I’m sure the temps and weather conditions change but your getting some great baselines for ppl. Also great footage.

[@adrianbara-popa9960]

Very interesting video. The island's history of a zoo releasing the iguanas on the island got me thinking about what other creatures can be found on the island? And are there any native endemic species on the island that weren't introduced by humans?

[@mattc9875]

Thank you, great video and opportunity to see what is barely available online...!

[@hockeypuck4622]

Now I have a love for another reptile. The Cyclura. I’ve seen that island before, but didn’t take a second look. I’ve always taken tours out on the ocean at night just east of where you were at in the Bahia Fosforescénte. I hope he took you there. Thanks

[@marieparsons3507]

What a unique place!

[@loriw2661]

As usual, this is an amazing video! However, you must’ve been exhausted with a type of “jet-lag” after that lengthy trip from the mainland to the island. Lol! Those cyclura are gorgeous and it’s so nice to see them protected and thriving. The guy was right, WE are the invasive species……everywhere!!😡

[@Gottalovecarpetpythons]

Similar to keeping a Central Beadie. dry, hot and plenty of UV. Glad they are protected, good on them.

[@mikeyben6144]

Awesome video as always. Amazing to see how the climate is similar to Curacao but the green iguanas thrive. No cyclura.

[@growingheart8039]

"No body's feeding them by hand." Cut to, feed them by hand😛 Great video! 🌞

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

What an awesome experience!!

[@herpdiversity9152]

Cyclura are amazing.

[@claytoncook731]

anyone else getting vibes from the dung pile scene in jurassic park? Who wore it better, Dav or Laura Dern?

[@bryonflaherty5957]

Great video , these are my favorites. Have you ever done a frilled lizard in their natural habitat video? I would love to see one and I believe more people are starting to keep and breed them

[@wpsreptiles]

So cool!! What an excellent environment, and informative video for keeping these!

[@cesarmiranda7941]

I don't know if you had the opportunity to visit Mona island on the west side of Puerto Rico and see the rhino iguanas, Mona island boa or in Mayaguez Puerto Rico to Colombia red tail boas in the wild also there's a place in Moca Puerto Rico called La cueva de las cucarachas (cave of roaches) to see the Puertorrican boas hunting bats or caimans basically everywhere in the island. That's a lot material to make more great videos like this one.

[@ForestExotics]

Good video thanks

[@dustintinsley3899]

That area looks just like my land in south Texas. You better believe that once I get moved onto the land I will start working with cyclura.

[@grandadoboman1995]

Tropical doesn't always mean wet humid moist rainforests. A country in a tropical climate can have grassland or semi-arid areas. It's not always rainforests.

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

Did they ever come check people out? Like if you just sat there ...would they ever come close on their own? I guess yes then since it was following that guy around. Still would be cool to see footage of you sitting quietly near one and see what they do.

[@creeperboss268]

don't know if you had the opportunity to visit Mona island on the west side of Puerto Rico and see the rhino iguanas, Mona island boa or in Mayaguez Puerto Rico to Colombia red tail boas in the wild also there's a place in Moca Puerto Rico called La cueva de las cucarachas (cave of roaches) to see the Puertorrican boas hunting bats or caimans basically everywhere in the island. That's a lot material to make more great videos like this one.

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

OOOH you should do Pectinatas one day! These are very similar in the environment department. As always awesome video Dave!

[@Adventure_Allie]

Great video!

[@fernandomendoza6949]

That little Island looks like it could be right outside of Pueblo Colorado

[@hereshetep2337]

Best #Iguanadon 📹 2022🎥

[@pigywcw9456]

Dav please can you make a care video about club tail iguanas I want one but I can't find any information about them.

[@patrickcullen8875]

really cool

[@shandicormier2919]

Look at them all! What you iguana do about it dave

[@AldousHuxley7]

Hey good video idea head to Algeria and document the Berber/Schneider skink natural habitat! I love my skink hes 20 years old now!

[@AldousHuxley7]

Love your vids

[@michaelross5674]

Dave are we allowed to go catch the retics over there and send them home..... My buddy his parents and family live over there

[@MrPeter924]

Great pets animals reptiles 👍

[@LanceKirkman]

Simply amazing! I wonder why they don't swim across to the main land? Experience bad things happen if they cross the sea? #RattleOn

[@scrubjay93]

I wondered that too. The "mainland" probably has predators like dogs and humans, and egg predators like snakes and rats? They have the ideal life on that island, that's for sure!

[@sdqsdq6274]

why would they swim across when there sufficient food around

[@stefanostokatlidis4861]

Cyclura are quite tame, because traditionally they didn’t have many predators. That is why they quickly declined when humans and domesticated animals arrived. Also this island shows that native and invasive is mostly about politics rather than any species’ history.

[@billythekid6509]

Has anyone else noticed how much bigger the Rhino Iguana is than the Cuban iguana in the wild and captivity even though the Cuban is suppose to get the largest out of the Cyclura species.

[@billythekid6509]

Yeah the Rhinos are always bigger but if u read up on them there suppose to be the largest out of the cyclura. That's why I was curious why it says that if u look up the species and read about them. But yes the Rhinos get bigger and they get bigger much quicker than the rest as well

[@billythekid6509]

@DIO I absolutely agree they are awesome. Also your right about where they live and what they eat it also could be false information I read as well. I mean alot of the old reptile books have a little bit of misinformation especially on size when it comes to snakes

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

awesome

[@bighoss7412]

When you coming back to Texas sir? How's your Puerto Rico trip going?

[@shamik_sathe]

So there are green iguanas out there too, then does the heat and humidity and heat point also apply to the greens? Cuz they're thriving there as well, right?

[@pyromaniac407]

Iguanas can survive invasively in non ideal habitats. You should use their native range as the guide to their care.

[@juliephillips279]

Iguana, iguana, iguana, iguana, iguana, iguana, iguana, brian kusko, iguana, iguana, iguana....

[@Hornetboy]

Awesome video! :-)

[@Jimmyprice258]

My roomie has a HUGE blue iguana that lives in his bathroom.

[@kimspurre1242]

Looks a lot like parts of Southern California

[@scrubjay93]

It does. Also parts of southern Europe/Mediterranean countries.

[@kimspurre1242]

You’re right I’ve been to the Mediterranean a long time ago I’d forgotten that it was a lot like home in places. Ditto for Mexico(I live 2 hours away from the border)

[@brianhopkins5776]

Hi dav

[@718Insomniac]

When are we getting a video with some Lewisi? =]

[@HidefVince]

Please don't poop on me *next shot, you handle a piece of disrespect bare sausage ...for science.

[@lizdyson3627]

Hi Dav, not heard of Cycluras before. I assume it's the scientific name for iguana?

[@shamik_sathe]

It's the genus of rhe rock iguanas

[@lizdyson3627]

@@shamik_sathe Thank you.

[@pyromaniac407]

Cane toads have lived in Aus for decades, it doesnt mean they're native man. Would you recommend Green's get this kind of climate just because they live there?

[@kevinpoe8137]

Are you going to do a video on the Lacey act amendment

[@kathymoline5598]

So are we supposed to be misting their enclosures?

[@Zappygunshot]

"It's dry and arid and there's very little humidity here" ah so you're saying it's parched, desiccated and the level of water in the air is really quite low?

[@teeroux2767]

Can you do a monitor lizard video

[@ericpeters5201]

Similar to the habitat for Rhino iguanas?

[@rosiehawtrey]

How come there's so many of them? They're not small lizards and even a single one needs a fair amount of food.. Its almost like the Galapagos. Do they have a specific breeding bed area?

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

You sound like me! I have so many more questions....maybe we both need to be biologists. Lol 😂

[@Oh_My_Darwin]

No threats

[@scrubjay93]

I was wondering the same! Here is my guess: they have abundant year-round food in the form of fruit floating onto the island (like the ones we saw) on top of abundant food on the island itself. Since they can even survive on leaves, then food doesn't limit their density. Where food is superabundant, territoriality often breaks down because there is no need to expend energy guarding it. So then the only resource limiting them might be suitable nesting areas, but if they just dig nests in sand/soil, and there are no serious egg predators, then that habitat is also super abundant. My big question then is, what happens to the excess eggs and juveniles? I didn't see any iguanas that looked like juveniles. Maybe there are predators that can eat juveniles but not adults? You both need to be biologists for sure. I'm a fish/wildlife biologist and you never get bored. This island is the perfect natural laboratory for evolutionary studies of these lizards--maybe someone is studying it. I'm afraid to google them because I know I will end up going down a Cyclura rabbit hole all night. 😂

[@scrubjay93]

@@Upper_echelon_exotics You definitely should! Just be sure to go into a field of biology where you can be outside studying critters! I was a wildlife and fish biologist for about 30 years and was lucky to spend years doing just field work. The jobs are out there and pay pretty well. See my guess about the lizards in my other comment.

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

@@scrubjay93 I would love to but I'm getting kinda old. I know people have gone back to school in their 50's plus but idk if I have the energy. For school...yeah I do. I actually love studying but the work after idk. I actually have earned about 3/4 of my bachelor degree in biology. I was going back for something else but my classes were still kinda general. So I probably could switch it to do something with animals. Which I would love...

[@SimejiClub]

Good！！

[@abdielramos4325]

They are actually swiming to the mainland but the population in the mainland its much lower than the island puerto rico had its own native rock iguana in the past cyclura pinguis but when spanish arrived they hunted them to extinction there is an island that still has cyclura pinguis but that island refused to bring some of their iguanas here and that was the end of the try to repopulate puerto rico

[@billythekid6509]

Honeslty there's alot of areas here in Florida and other spots in the U.S. that I wish was more protected that if u are caught taking reptiles out of the wild or just being a lazy herper and not putting shit back the way u found it and destroying everything u get in trouble or arrested. I've been herping and found some cool reptiles and came back like a week later and everything is all destroyed or everything is gone and it's a place where I've been going for years and see the same species year after year amd the wrong people find it and ruin it very sad.

[@scrubjay93]

Things became exponentially worse after social media was invented. I'm 60 years old and can't begin to tell you how much has been lost and how it used to be. 😢

[@JIMBO8472]

yeah they can go ages without water and their body sucks out the moisture from prey

[@just.another.car.girl.]

Yo everyone we need to start spreading the word on this new Lacy Act that's on its way to the Senate if you value your reptiles. It could ban all shipping and transfer from state to state and all imports

[@teeroux2767]

Are you gonna get a monitor lizard

[@jannovak7775]

OK. But there are only adult animals??? No babies??

[@lowalkerdemolition3255]

can you do rhinos next time?

[@billythekid6509]

I really hope all those people on FB are watching this when they post themselves giving there cuban or Rhino iguanas baths or soaking them. People please stop doing that. Lol no serious though stop it!!

[@Oh_My_Darwin]

Right! I shared it to the Cyclura Friends Group for that reason.

[@billythekid6509]

Cool sometimes people get really upset at u when u are just trying to help them and there reptile. Most of them just want to argue over nothing.

[@Oh_My_Darwin]

@@billythekid6509 lol that is so true. Honestly the ‘Cyclura Friends’ group on facebook is one of my favorite reptile groups because everyone is really cool about getting and giving advice both. But I know what you mean about most of them!

[@billythekid6509]

Well hopefully all of us can just completely come together and ignore our differences and all the other crap if we all can do that we will all benefit in this hobby or life style of all could just be cool and come together then the amount of number of people who keep and if we support USARK we will win tue battle. Because it's all about numbers and really money. So the more of us that can agree on this that are willing to give a little then the better

[@cesarmiranda6450]

don't know if you had the opportunity to visit Mona island on the west side of Puerto Rico and see the rhino iguanas, Mona island boa or in Mayaguez Puerto Rico to Colombia red tail boas in the wild also there's a place in Moca Puerto Rico called La cueva de las cucarachas (cave of roaches) to see the Puertorrican boas hunting bats or caimans basically everywhere in the island. That's a lot material to make more great videos like this one.