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 #1585531


Neth
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 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

Howdy, I’m new to these forums, mainly because I just saw it on google today. Erm anyway I’ve been into the reptile owning business for awhile. I’ve owned a few bearded dragons, iguanas, one savannah monitor, and a croc monitor. I wanted to move up into crocidillians, and as usual starting off small is the better idea.

So I was wanting to check in to see how much hassle it’d be to house a dwarf caiman, and about how docile they are. Also about how much would a hatchling dwarf caiman run for? The suppliers won’t be in until tuesday so I won’t be finding out from them for a few days.

Thanks in advance,
Justin
01/19/08  03:49pm

 #1586400


Neth
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   Message To: Neth   In reference to Message Id: 1585531


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

I appologize for any lack of intelligence that may have been seen in what was stated earlier. So allow me to rephrase everything so I don’t seem like a terrible reptillian owner.

By hassle, I meant, well hmm I don’t even know why I asked that.

Anyway I was checking into how docile they may be. Will he lunge at me if I so much as step inside his enclosure? Or will he be at the point to where he won’t care unless I get so close.

I still don’t have any real ideas on a price, for some reason kingsnake.com isn’t loading up on this computer. Perhaps I’ll take a trip to the library tomorrow and see if it’ll work there.

Yet again, thanks in advance.
-Justin
01/20/08  12:03am

 #1587142


Reedie
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   Message To: Neth   In reference to Message Id: 1586400


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

Hello!

I have never owned or cared for a dwarf caiman, so I can’t help you much. Dwarf caiman are noted for having more aggressive temperaments, but with all animals temperaments vary from animal to animal.

As far as price goes, Dwarf caiman usually run around $250-$300 a pop. Not too bad when you take into perspective that these are crocodilians after all. Only a dedicated owner who had the animal in mind long term(and not just thinking about how cool it’s gonna be to show off to all his friends) would pay such a price(the reason why those $45 gators go so much quicker).

-Reed
01/20/08  04:49pm

 #1587676


Neth
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   Message To: Reedie   In reference to Message Id: 1587142


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

I think I may end up passing on getting a dwarf caiman...
The suppliers came in early, and its $650. Jesus, 250 I could handle, but damn 650... Well, the $45 gator sounds really tempting now. Well back to the research market to find something a little more in my price range, unless a cheaper one comes up.

That’s just a real nutbuster though. I wanted something small, I mean, I’m just not quite sure if I’m ready for anything that can get 14 ft. I’ve had an 8 1/2 croc monitor, but I don’t think that would be about the same in this particular case. Just keep in mind enclosures are never a problem. I lucked out and I have a brother who does construction.

Justin
01/20/08  10:33pm

 #1587691


Simbaah
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   Message To: Neth   In reference to Message Id: 1587676


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

Dwarf Caiman are easy to house space wise but they are very aggressive, just as aggressive as any big croc if not more but lack the size to kill but can remove fingers or hands, they grow slow, can take up to 10 years to grow a full 5 feet but most only get 3 to 4 feet. You can get them from several places for around 200 dollars give or take. Its not as hard as some make it out to be, they can be great pets but not good for handling alot, gators are more apt to be handled and are on average very docile with handling. Just find out all the details on caring for a caiman and set up your enclosure before buying and you should be fine, there is tons of info on the net and some on this site if you read past posts.......
01/20/08  10:48pm

 #1587737


Crocodylus
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   Message To: Simbaah   In reference to Message Id: 1587691


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

yes but the $45 Alligator quickly turns into an $800 aquarium and then before you know it a $10,000 Zoological enclosure, unless you live in the far South, but even then there are permits and outdoor enclosures aren’t the cheapest either.

if your set on having a crocodilian and space and money are even remotely an issue go with the Dwarf Caiman regardless of temperment. besides even most gators dont take well to even limited handling. only a few rare individual animals take well to being handled. and besides even those ones you won’t want to handle after their over 5 or 6 ft. if you buy a crocodilian it is going to be a display animal, not a pet.



01/20/08  11:30pm

 #1589213


Simbaah
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   Message To: Crocodylus   In reference to Message Id: 1587737


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

I dont really like the whole aquarium set up, I like to build enclosures, I built a 3 foot by 5 foot enclosure 3 foot high with a pool and a ramp that would last a dwarf caiman for most of its life, the total cost was $70.00 and I can always build bigger for not that much more for an adult dwarf caiman. Alligators need a pond and a fence, I wouldn’t say that would cost $10,000 And on average most gators are docile and agressive gators are considered rare but anything with a mouth can bite if startled or scared or under fed or if taunted so caution is good to hold fast to. Of course during the gators life you will spend much money on food to feed it but that comes with any pet or feeding our selfs, dont buy one unless you plan on keeping it for life, you cant give it to a zoo and the rescue centers are crowded with unwanted gators as it is, dont release them into the wild, but yes spacw wise the caiman is best but anyone who can handle a caiman is also capable of raising a gator or any crocodilian, Of course if you want your croc to have the best you will spend alot of money but there are ways of doing it for much less if you are creative you can make it work........
01/22/08  01:44am

 #1589562


Crocodylus
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   Message To: Simbaah   In reference to Message Id: 1589213


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

a pond and a fence if you live in Florida or another far south state, but for the majority of us it’s an indoor enclosure or greenhouse that has to be built.
01/22/08  01:52pm

 #1590688


Simbaah
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   Message To: Crocodylus   In reference to Message Id: 1589562


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

True, it is possible to keep them in a big open basement or green house set up, indoors they would not grow as big for lack of natural sunlight or it can be a building with just a green house sun roof. Peace.......
01/23/08  02:50am

 #1591094


Krokadilyanguy3
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   Message To: Simbaah   In reference to Message Id: 1590688


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

They grow just as big as being outdoors. If they aren’t you’re probably doing something wrong.
01/23/08  03:25pm

 #1591762


Simbaah
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   Message To: Krokadilyanguy3   In reference to Message Id: 1591094


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

Ive heard of several cases where an alligator was raised indoors for years and did not grow very big but shorlty after being moved to an outdoor set up they increased in size very rapidly because of the natural sun light cuz they get vitamins needed for good growth from the sun, Ive also heard but can’t confirm that they dont grow as large in captivity, now for fact in colder climates gators only grown half thier size as well as Nile Crocodiles that live in less warm climates, I heard that at first people thought thier was a second species of dwarf crocodiles bet later concluded that they were indeed nile crocodiles but they were not in Africa, they were in some other country less warm but still warm enough to survive.......Peace
01/23/08  10:59pm

 #1591786


Krokadilyanguy3
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   Message To: Simbaah   In reference to Message Id: 1591762


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

Perhaps.

Without UV, I can assume growth stunts as I’ve seen that as well. However, I know many well sized gators (6-9’) that’s been housed indoors their entire lives. I know many niles at 9ish feet as well, plus a few others.

I do agree with climate affects.

It’s a fine line on how things should be expected.
01/23/08  11:11pm

 #1591950


Simbaah
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   Message To: Krokadilyanguy3   In reference to Message Id: 1591786


 Just looking for a bit of info on a dwarf caiman

I like that, I might try indoor and outdoor set ups and see which one I like the best or which of the crocs like best.



01/24/08  02:58am


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