#62338

 Caimen

Hey everyone, I’m new to the site. I’ve been doing some research and am looking for all the help I can get. I have a lot of experience in handling exotic animals, and in caring for reptiles, but not with caimens. I’m really interested in purchasing one, but would like to get all the input I can. I’ve heard they can get attitudes, does this also apply even if handled a lot as a hatchling? I’ve heard mixed things on growth. Some people have told me they will grow to the size of the habitat, and others have said they will outgrow it. I’m more inclined to believe the latter, but any additional opinions will be appreciated. Also, what types of habitats are best? What is a good diet? Has anyone heard about Diamond caimens, and if so could you please tell me a bit about them. Thanks

 #62463

 Caimen

I dont recommend Caimans especially if you have never had a crocidillian...they are prone to Nasty temperments and while there are still exceptions to the rules...you have to take into consideration that its a rarity..yes even with handling..Gators are the more adapatable calm species... ANYONE that tells you a Caiman will ONLY grow to the size of their habitat is a Moron.. there Ive said it...and any that believe it are even bigger morons... they GROW.... not as large as an Alligator usually about 5/6 feet tops though again there are exceptions as for diets you have read what they eat in the wild...adapt it.... with my Gators they get feeder feesh crayfish crabs, Gerbils Chicken....beef it varies constantly they need the variety some foods provide vitamins another doesnt....when purchasing you need to make sure the animal is healthy.. ie not underweight, no missing toes, a full tail...if you handle the caiman but it doesnt open its mouth or hiss usualyl something is wrong also make sure no internal parasites...a sick beastie is an unhappy beastie to say the least..you have to keep in mind they are still reptiles EVERY owner gets bit...I dont care if you have had them for over thirty years you WILL get bit and it DOES hurt regardless.... Ive been bitten Bayous been bitten its a large animal with a small brain.... nuff said...Celtic didnt earn her rep by being nice only by being honest *grin*Oh and dont get them because it "Looks cool" final imput lol

 #62486

 Caiman

Thanks, I really appreciate the input. Like I said, I want honesty and to be sure this is a proper fit before purchasing one. I haven’t dealt with crocidillians. As an animal care specialist, I do work with exotic animals, many of which are reptiles on a daily basis. I’ve had my share of run ins with nile and croc monitors, and I’m already expecting to get bit by the caiman. I’ve always loved gators, but where I’m living right now just wouldn’t make a suitable habitat for something that large. When I get an animal, its a for life deal, which is why I do so much research. What type of habitat do you rec? Indoor/outdoor? Tank? Thanks

 #62510

 Caiman

a Monitor bite is NOTHING like a caiman bite, Caimans teeth are used to crush bone and finger a thirteen incher can remove a finger or two it takes one mistake.... for a habitat If you have a Yard you can custom set up a GreenHouse to where it stays heated insilated and can House, you need to get a habitat they can grow into...a 250 Gallon tank wont cut it.......I dont know where you live or the setup of your home so right now I cant offer suggestions do you have a spare bedroom you can convert???

 #62719

 Caiman

Hey Celtic I live in Michigan and wonder how you keep the larger herpes in the winter time? My Nile is going in the basement with a tropical environment, but you seem to have a better system for the gators and even the iguana. Any suggestions for maintaining a year-long enclosure that can take advantage of the sun-- when it makes a rare apperance?

 #62749

 Caiman

I have two methods.... My snakes, skink, Beardeds all have my "reptile room" its a Bedroom the vent is keptopen windows sealed to prevent chills... I use *Gasp for those that dare call me horrible* a floodlight in the winter time for daylight.... then I switchbulbs at night... the venting is floor heat rises so it keeps the reptile room in a rather comfy temperature for them. My Iguana is TOO big to House in a tank he has run of the reptile room I dont use heatrocks they malfunction and burn he lays by the vent I keep his water heated by a fishtank heater to a tropical temperature satisfactory for fish he basks under the floodlight as for the snakes they have regular bulbs.. for My Two Gators the habitat is in the furnace room of my basement...The walls are Plexiglass (its always changing always under construction) the outdoor pond system for them is in a corner based with Rock and dirt I do have plants planted I hope it grows its beneath a heating vent that keeps warm and the furnace itsself keeps that portion toasty plus they have their heat lamps. I keep a fishtank heater in the water it sis on the side and its filtered water I have a pond pump to circulate..I have to keep the water filtered and warm for the live feeder fish that live in there its not much of a setup I plan on more and Im constantly adding to it..it will be going more construction when My Father comes up to visit he loves his reptiles as much as me. apple doesnt fall far from the Tree at any rate things change we adapt and if it works for my guys I keep it going

 #62754

 Caiman

Great effort. I don’t know who’s going to give you a hard time about the flood lights, but that’s my plan for the African Bush in my basement to keep the Nile happy. I have a bad habit--snakes. I seem to have a lot and they’re all over the house. I wish I could dedicate a room for them; it’d be cheaper. But I have what use to be a dinning room, the snake room now, with the iguana in there also. However, he can’t run loose; it’d be too dangerous. The rest of the snakes are all over, spilling into my bedroom, where I have my prized Emerald and Green Tree Python. The kitchen has the Nile and a host of tiny lizards and frogs. (It’s great to get up in the middle of winter to the sound of frogs croaking!) The living room has mainly the dragons, one of almost each type. I’ve been leaning towards a Caiman, mainly for size, but am a long way from being able to house it. But I hear you about the difficulty in handling them compared to the Amercian gators....

 #62769

 Caiman

Ya dont by chance have a retic do you?? as for the floodlights you would be amazed *snorts*Anyone on here will tell you Im the biggest biatch on the site for that matter.... My Iguana runs loose because the snaeks are housed hes just to big for a tank period hes up to sixteen pounds and bigger then my Cats..and yes Ive had caimans too I prefer my gators they are a bit calmer especially during feeding.. Ive been bitten by my female it happens but since then Ive had no difficulty, Im looking to getting a Nile in due time for now Im happy with the guys I have

 #63096

 Caiman

I currently have two niles, but my real interest is still with caimans. The more I’m talking to experts, the more I’m thinking this is the animal for me. Yes Celtic, I do have a spare bedroom. I’m actually planning on converting that to my caiman room. Since I am in the exotic animal industry, I’ve been talking to a lot of reptile experts, and one that I was talking to today said he could get me a hatchling next Friday. Now its just a matter of deciding if I’m ready for it. He said he has owned over 40 in his lifetime and testifies to them being very tame when handled a lot every day (like 3 plus hours) as hatchlings. Any last warnings or advice before I become a proud new mommy????

 #63154

 Caiman

Get some butterfly band-aids ;) hah... ...and good luck :D

 #63159

 Caiman

Hey Celtic No, I don’t have a retic or any of the larger boids. My red tail is the largest of my four boids. My collection is rich with hots; many of them. That’s why the iguana can’t run loose...Well, that, and the fact that iguanas are clumsy and crap all over the place. I adopted the one we have; it wasn’t something I had always wanted :) But he goes for probably a good 12 pounds, just guessing, since I don’t really have time to bond with him and hold him and all. I like the Nile. I’ve resolved myself to the fact that my Nile will never be "tamed." But that’s fine with me. I’ve always felt that herpes are not really meant to be "tamed," but rather admired and respected. The roughneck is also a good monitor. There are way too many Savannahs out there. Like iguanas, too many people think savannahs will make great pets. Anyway, once I get my hots where I want them, I’m going to look at a caiman--down the road! I like what you’re doing Celtic, keep it up!

 #63163

 Caiman

Last minute advice..... Again as I said you will get bit regardless its bound to happen the animal will never "Be tamed" to a pet..hell sigfrieds tiger was "tamed" you have to take into consideration first they are reptiles..pee brain...big body.. second they are primative ie walking when dinosuars did theres not much evolution, third they are meant to be wild... you will have nasty nips I dont care what anyone says they will never be handled..remember you hold them because they allow it...takes ONE screw up...respect not fear is the main thing if you can respect the animal you have ab etter chance..if your converting the room I recommend a Kiddie Pool filled with a filter....keep the room closed...a hatchlings first year is the most important feed feed feed!! they will live off the yolk at first but after that start stuffing them...have a eady supply of fish crawdads, crabs..small mice or pinkes and crickets the crikets are a substitute in the wild they eat those as well as sand fleas..... a ramp for them to get in and out of.....and position several lights for basking that helps the metabolism as well as digestion...so many start off getting them a small tank then realizing oh crap..... they should have plenty of room start with the Kiddie pool and some rocks to climb on to get out with a heat lamp over.....keep the water clean put the rocks close enough where he can climb out as he gets older and rocks on the other side to climb back in keep the light initially over the rocks until the first year and hes about 17 or so inches handle DAILY not when you feed them but just because...hell with mine I have a CD player in the area I turn music on take a book in sit and read...talk to them hold them I spend on average 2 hours a day with mine. Just be careful and make sure its the right pet ..Im not fond of caimans I prefer my gators due to the temperment change bbut make sure your not getting it because it looks cool otherwise no other advice

 #63240

 Caiman

I really don’t plan on making close friends with him. I respect the fact that they’re wild animals and like my Nile, I work with him, but realize the limitations of their domesticability. My main goal is for the well being and comfort of the animal, caiman in this case, and not to be a dare devil with risky tactics. I’m still a ways away from stepping into a caiman’s path. I’ve got my hands full with hots right now and they’re eating my lunch. In fact, I’m going to the show in Hamburg, PA this weekend. Anyone else going?

 #63742

 Caiman

Gator how comes the search for the Caiman Darlin??? Is it getting better have you come to a decision????

 #64147

 Caiman

I’m very proud to say that I DID IT!!!!! I bought a caiman hatchling and am is proud as a new mommy can be. I named the baby notorious (Tori) for short. A friend of mine who is reptile expert set up an awesome habitat for me. Thanks for all the input

 #66360

 Caiman

hey, heres some pics of my spectacled caiman...I would like to trade it for an american alligator if anyone is interested...Its about 2 feet long.