Dwarf Caimen???

[JLuck13]

So Ive always wanted a gator, they just get waaay to big. Im moving into my own 3 room house soon and am going to have all the room i want for my herps and have decided rather than getting a few other retics or filling them with car/guy/random crap i wanna get a dwarf caimen. They are super cool looking and that will take care of my alligator itch. I know that sounds bad as in i want one jsut to sound cool, but they are magnificent creatures and ive always wanted to work with them. I want to start doing my research now and i just cant find anyone that has god info on them. Can someone point me in the right direction?

[MTovar]

Curviers Dwarf Caman(Paleosuchus palpebrosus) along with Schneiders Dwarf (P.trigonatus) and the Dawrf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) are 3 of my favorite animals. The short snout of these 3 and the terrestrial habits of the 2 Caiman just add to the prehistoric factor. Cool level of 10, but a dificulty level of 10 in my opinion as well, being a long time keeper of P.palp. Why? Water Quality being a large portion of that.

However, if you indeed have space, and the comitment...let me offer a couple things I learned.

1. Ensure you set up or at least start the planning for an adult. They grow fast! I recommend 15x15 minimum for an adult P.Palp or P.Trig. As they get older, they will start wandering. A kiddie pool is an ok start for the water area, but water changes are a pain...so if you can do a pond (homedepot) for the water area with filtration. Also for the land area I recommend pool tile and grout with a back splash. I like the 1x1 pool style tile because you dont need a tile saw, you can cut these with a small cutter tool to fit. It works great for ease of cleaning. I added cover using fake plants.

2. Call someone who has kept these guys before you make a purchase. Feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to give you my number. But there are other people with alot of experience who love talking crocs. Roark Ferguson is a very nice guy, he is passionate and has kept Dwarfs for a long time. http://www.roarkferguson.com/ really, super nice guy from my experience with him.

3. If you decide to move forward, I recommend a basement with a drain in the floor to utilize for ease of room cleaning. Or a room with a bathroom that you can connect with all the pumps and filtration you will need for the water area.

4. Even though a 4-5 foot Caiman (can get 6 in males)sounds small. They get girthy...and can be...umm, pissy The bite of a hatchling is almost cute. The bite of a 4.5 foot adult is not so cute. They are pretty agile and if they dont want to be moved, you will know.

Here is a care sheet I wrote a long time ago, you can pull some good info from it still although it is old. Again feel free to PM with question. I have always loved crocodilians
http://webspinners.com/coloherp/care...ther/crocs.php

I know some people who successfuly keep caiman in large aquariums. But am of the opinion that these guys need a large terrestrial area and hide/burrow to be content. One of the reasons I LOVE ball pythons so much is the rack and bin fits them and their needs so well. The behavior of the dwarfs should also be considered.

Mark Tovar

[mainbutter]

ditto on LARGE.

Good luck, I completely understand the 'gator itch. Heck for me, NOTHING except a true american alligator would suffice. Caimans are cool, and big pissy crocs are unbelievably awe-inspiring, but they just aren't American gators.

[Denial]

ive wanted a gator for years but being in sc Im not allowed to own them. I have owned two caimen before though and was bitten on my the backside of my hand and she almost took my pinky finger off. It was not a fun time. Id like to get another sometime next year but Im going to wait until our reptile barn is finished That way I can make a more natural looking enclosure instead of going kitty pool route. The kitty pool works good for a while but as mentioned before water changes are HORRIBLE!