cuvier's dwarf caiman Question?

[jrh3]

So I have the opportunity to take on a 24” juvenile with a 300 gallon setup. I have massive experience breeding chameleons, keeping snakes and other reptiles and have always wanted a caiman but want to make sure I know what I am getting into. I have plenty of room outdoor for a concrete pond and can fit it in my tarantula room which is 16x10 if I need to dedicate indoor for winter.

Just wanted some assurance from anyone with experience with crocodilians before I jump in, The guy just doesn’t have time for it.
@viper69 for some reason I feel like you know someone that probably has some input.

 

[viper69]

So I have the opportunity to take on a 24” juvenile with a 300 gallon setup. I have massive experience breeding chameleons, keeping snakes and other reptiles and have always wanted a caiman but want to make sure I know what I am getting into. I have plenty of room outdoor for a concrete pond and can fit it in my tarantula room which is 16x10 if I need to dedicate indoor for winter.

Just wanted some assurance from anyone with experience with crocodilians before I jump in, The guy just doesn’t have time for it.
@viper69 for some reason I feel like you know someone that probably has some input.

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Sadly I do not. I've bumped into people who own them at herp shows, that's about it. I appreciate the confidence though!! I didn't know you bred chams! What species?

This species ranges from 3 to 5 ft, and sometimes 6 ft. as an adult depending on its sex.

Certainly keeping the water clean is important with aquatics.

 

[jrh3]

Sadly I do not. I've bumped into people who own them at herp shows, that's about it. I appreciate the confidence though!! I didn't know you bred chams! What species?

This species ranges from 3 to 5 ft, and sometimes 6 ft. as an adult depending on its sex.

Certainly keeping the water clean is important with aquatics.

I used to breed panthers, jacksons, veiled and usambara species chams years ago, had a website stickytonguechams but not the nutrient company. That was years before I got into tarantulas. Let my reptiles go due to the tarantula hobby and the joy it brings. I do miss chams, This caiman was a long time want that I kept at bay due to being able to provide proper habitat but I now have room. I just have never met anyone that keeps them to chat with on interaction and feeding,

it will be a solid commitment im sure.

 

[viper69]

I used to breed panthers, jacksons, veiled and usambara species chams years ago, had a website stickytonguechams but not the nutrient company. That was years before I got into tarantulas. Let my reptiles go due to the tarantula hobby and the joy it brings. I do miss chams, This caiman was a long time want that I kept at bay due to being able to provide proper habitat but I now have room. I just have never met anyone that keeps them to chat with on interaction and feeding,

it will be a solid commitment im sure.

Im sure I came across your site then! They are my favorite lizard and one of my fav animals over all! Used to own veileds, wanted Panthers big time- always $$$ back then when I couldn’t afford one.

I took a class once that had a paper by some scientists, turns out chameleons have telescopic vision!!! How cool would that be!

If I run across any caiman owners I’ll let you know!

 

[Mustafa67]

So I have the opportunity to take on a 24” juvenile with a 300 gallon setup. I have massive experience breeding chameleons, keeping snakes and other reptiles and have always wanted a caiman but want to make sure I know what I am getting into. I have plenty of room outdoor for a concrete pond and can fit it in my tarantula room which is 16x10 if I need to dedicate indoor for winter.

Just wanted some assurance from anyone with experience with crocodilians before I jump in, The guy just doesn’t have time for it.
@viper69 for some reason I feel like you know someone that probably has some input.

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That’s cute, MUCH more interesting than a dog

 

[l4nsky]

Full disclosure, I have no experience with crocodilians specifically in captivity, but the topic is something I've frequently researched for the better part of three decades lol.

There really isn't a "beginner" level crocodilian available (chinese alligators would be ideal IMHO, but that's a pipedream), you're in the deep end as soon as you jump in. Paleosuchus palpebrosus, while being amongst the smallest available species, can be quite a handful in comparison to even some of the larger species. They are ludicrously quick, notoriously difficult to restrain (the osteoderms in their heavily armored hide can easily cut you as they struggle when restrained), and most are WC imports with all of the associated health and behavioral problems that come with that status.

Now, having said that, they are rather smart and long lived. Kevin McCurley and NERD have hand tamed, reproductive specimens over 20 years of age that are just outstanding ambassador animals for their species. No doubt it'll take years of steady and consistent positive reinforcement to get to that state, but the potential is there.

As far as caging, IMHO this little one already needs something much larger. This species is highly terrestrial and active at night, so the setup now isn't quite ideal for it. Most keepers recommend atleast 50% of an enclosure be land for this species. IMHO, an adult should have a minimum of 8'x8' as they really will use all of the space.

 

[Brewser]

Maybe Monitor Lizard Keeping as a Prerequisite would be Beneficial and Rewarding.
Good Luck,