Thursday, July 30, 2009

Has anyone raised a dwarf caiman? I am experienced with reptiles but ive never raised a caiman?

i need to know what kind of supplies i need he will be indoors, any help would be greatly appreciated
Answers:
I had my pair of Spectacled Caymans in an 8 foot round stock tank with a 1x2 inch wire mesh cover. I used concrete blocks (8x8x16) for the island area and a 300 watt submersible heater as well as a submersible pump with an external filter to keep the water clean. All of the electrical stuff was under the concrete blocks to keep them from being destroyed. Optimal water temperature is 85* F and NEVER below 75* F.
The stock tank contained between 12 and 18 inches of water (about 300 gallons) and live fish of many varieties (stocked often) and I supplemental fed them on Jumbo Rats every few days. They are now over 20 years old and doing just fine.
(I will not warn you about the size and the bite.. I think you already know of the hazards).
You do realize, they aren't that Dwarf?? They still can get up to at least 5ft. and can be quite nasty. They are illegal in many areas.

Most cannot live indoors for long, unless you have a huge house.

We used to see many in rescue as they got larger and meaner and people were shocked at the size. They do NOT make good pets. You cannot expect to tame them ! Yes, I've seen the ones that seem to be ok.but those are one in a million and the owners are usually very experienced and careful. I see many more injuries and owners trying to find homes for their animals.


Here is some good info.
http://crocodilian.com/crocfaq/faq-2.htm...

and more good info.
http://crocodilian.com/paleosuchus/...

Do you own a house and have plenty of insurance?
I knew a guy that had one. He had it in a steel bathtub with a heat lamp, and a water heater, like the ones you would use in a fish tank. This Cayman was about 3 ft long and mean as hell. I am an experienced large reptile/snake handler, and it took both of us to handle. You make a mistake with one of these and you just don't get bit, you loose a finger, hand, or chunk of your body.
Even though they are "dwarf" caimans, they are still too large %26 demanding for the inexperienced hobbyist.

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