Reptile & Amphibian Forums

after reading about hybrid vigor and how it can cause animals to grow larger faster, and seeing examples of this in the crocodilian world such as the saltwater x siamese croc hybrids, i would assume these caiman would reach sizes both parents might never see. am i correct in that assumption? they are marketed as "bred to be pets", and while i dont challenge their health or behavior, i wonder how many will reach giant(for yacare and spec) sizes.

I have wondered about that with these animals too. I guess time will tell, I don't know that they've been around long enough to tell.

As for "bred to be pets" - as they say, "There's a sucker born every minute!"

Good for you guys, thinking of something I've never thought of. In the past I've wondered about the "magic" formula of salt X siamese. Afterall siamese are not really that huge of a croc. But then my friend Jesse Durham, former curator of animals at Silver Springs in FL, said, that siamese were the fastest growing of all crocs. Even that I thought a curious statement. Why would a medium-large croc be so fast growing?
Then I got a couple and they were the fastest growing croc I've ever had...except for one. My male salt. He holds the record for rapid growth. But in fairness to both siamese they were both female.
With caimens I don't see it will matter much.
But an interesting question for sure.
Danny Conner