How to build a baby caiman enclosure (with a special guest)

Step 1. Wait in line at home depot

Everything you need. Ran about $100 because those decorative stones were expensive! I got some pvc for the drain, but I decided not to install a drain.

Large cement mixing tub
16ft of 2x2
#10 2.5" screws
PVC coated wire fencing
Staples, the kind you can hammer
Hinges
Hook and eye latch (but I got an additional bolt eyelet)
#10 2" bolts (with washers and nuts)
Stones for a land section

https://i.imgur.com/FWmS6pC.jpg

Step 2. Build the frame

I made the frame so that the smaller part is above the land section and itll be bolted into the tub. It's big enough for heat lamps to sit on.

https://i.imgur.com/twFLC8n.jpg

Step 3. Secure the wire fencing to the frame, then realize you should've installed the hinges first

https://i.imgur.com/PJXkaX5.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0lh5aN9.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/etTW12D.jpg

Step 4. Bolt the smaller section of the frame into the tub.

https://i.imgur.com/Qy5LIKR.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/httyU13.jpg

Step 5. Install the latch

https://i.imgur.com/hDk9FD2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FZDZXz9.jpg

Step 6. Set it up

https://i.imgur.com/ttbgzAr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VbQ37Cl.jpg

Step 7. Stock it with Caroline, the cuvier's dwarf caiman!

https://i.imgur.com/ve9qzev.jpg

Looks like a very effective setup. And that's a cool looking little one too.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gunkle

Looks like a very effective setup. And that's a cool looking little one too.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

---

Yes, the only problem I can foresee is that they can jump like crazy, so its feasible she could try to jump out when I open the top, but we'll see.

Dang dude!!! You kept this dwarf caiman a secret!!!

I'm so incredibly jealous!!! I'll be living vicariously through you here, so please keep the updates coming!!

Do you mind if I ask what breeder you went with?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Dang dude!!! You kept this dwarf caiman a secret!!!

I'm so incredibly jealous!!! I'll be living vicariously through you here, so please keep the updates coming!!

Do you mind if I ask what breeder you went with?

---

Yea, I just got it yesterday, sent to my work, everyone was freaking out about it. I was going to make a progress thread, but I don't know where to put it. There's no crocodilian section!

I got it from scale and tails. The only other option was from NERD. But I've seen a couple of their videos, and I just don't really like the vibe they give off, so I didn't want to support them. Just personal opinion.

Awesome!
I love caimans, despite the fact that many say they make awful pets, I´ll probably end up getting one anyway. (Not anytime soon though.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vivi

Awesome!
I love caimans, despite the fact that many say they make awful pets, I´ll probably end up getting one anyway. (Not anytime soon though.)

---

Awful may not be the right word. It just depends what your expectations are. If you want a pet that cuddles up with you and you can pet all day, yea, they may not be for you. But if you want a miniature crocodile, they're a great pet! They're smart and can be tamed down some like a lot of animals, if you put in the work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wnateg

Awful may not be the right word. It just depends what your expectations are. If you want a pet that cuddles up with you and you can pet all day, yea, they may not be for you. But if you want a miniature crocodile, they're a great pet! They're smart and can be tamed down some like a lot of animals, if you put in the work.

---

You´re right- what I ultimately meant is they aren´t for everyone- and they are NOT an animal you want to impulse buy. You have to do lots of research and be prepared to keep a caiman.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vivi

You´re right- what I ultimately meant is they aren´t for everyone- and they are NOT an animal you want to impulse buy. You have to do lots of research and be prepared to keep a caiman.

---

Yea, you definitely need to consider a lot of things before you pull the trigger, mostly financial security / freedom to provide for it. But once I got her, any reservations I had were gone. She's just too cute! lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wnateg

Yea, I just got it yesterday, sent to my work, everyone was freaking out about it. I was going to make a progress thread, but I don't know where to put it. There's no crocodilian section!

I got it from scale and tails. The only other option was from NERD. But I've seen a couple of their videos, and I just don't really like the vibe they give off, so I didn't want to support them. Just personal opinion.

---

Nice. Did SATOO breed the animal or work with it at all?

That's one thing you KNOW you're getting from NERD. But I know what you mean. They can come off a certain way. They definitely give off that "our poop don't stink" vibe. And I'm the same way, if I get a certain vibe from a person/business I'll avoid doing business with them too.

Maybe "general herp" for a progression thread?