Reptile & Amphibian Forums

a quick couple of questions

at what temp do caiman eggs need to be kept after being layed?
how long is the gestation period?
do you have any good tips on trying to tell if the eggs are viable?

I am not new to any of this except the actual successful breeding part. I have owned spec caimans for years now, but finally got one of my males to take care of business(or so we hope). Any tips would be appreciated.

thanks in advance
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>>at what temp do caiman eggs need to be kept after being layed?
>>how long is the gestation period?

You need 30-32 degrees Celcius.

>>do you have any good tips on trying to tell if the eggs are viable?

Look for banding in the center

>>I am not new to any of this except the actual successful breeding part. I have owned spec caimans for years now, but finally got one of my males to take care of business

Just a quick question. You help 'rescue' caiman correct? Then why hatch more of them? Not being critical just mildly curious.
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

the thrill of producing your own? i mean why wouldnt you breed them if they are able to breed? just means he wll have some nice cb animals instead of all these imports for sale now days.

now my turn to ask a question, dont they need to be like 10 to 15 years old to breed?

The point being that there are already mass amounts of these animals being bred in captivity, and there are far too few of responsible keepers to take them on. Yes, there is a thrill of breeding any animal and producing your own, however, you have to think about the well being of the offspring. They are just the same as large constricting snakes, or venomous snakes. They are dangerous and very hard for most people to accomodate, therefore, should be bred with extreme restraint. If you are going to breed animals in captivity, why not make it animals that are fewer in numbers instead of animals that are quite easily available. Chinese alligators, Dwarf Crocodiles are worth consistent breeding for the time being. Others, that have had their numbers pretty well maintained, there just isn't any good reason.

JMO,

Chris

>>the thrill of producing your own? i mean why wouldnt you breed them if they are able to breed? just means he wll have some nice cb animals instead of all these imports for sale now days.
>>
>>now my turn to ask a question, dont they need to be like 10 to 15 years old to breed?
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Simply because unless you plan on keeping them for yourself it seems like producing more of the animals you 'rescue' is the polar opposite of what one who runs an animal 'rescue' would do. You seem to be creating the problem you seek to help with in the first place.

If you don't run a 'rescue' and have a different type of operation I still think it's somewhat questionable but you can make an argument for it. And Specs aren't usually imports for sale as they no longer import them en mass.

And no the animal doesn't have to be 10-15 years old to reproduce, alot of variables factor into this equation.

>>the thrill of producing your own? i mean why wouldnt you breed them if they are able to breed? just means he wll have some nice cb animals instead of all these imports for sale now days.
>>
>>now my turn to ask a question, dont they need to be like 10 to 15 years old to breed?
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Just to inform all those who are argueing over my breeding of caiman: Just so happens that the breeding of these animals was not our intention. These animals have all been housed together for several years now and have never produced before. We knew that it was possible for them to breed, but had not happened yet. This year on the other hand we noticed things to be a little different with them in their attitudes, eating, and all around demeanor. The breeding took place and eggs were layed. I would like to make sure that they are taken care properly and hopefully hatch without a problem. The clutch of which this post refers to was 25 eggs by a female that is only about 5 years old(Daisy). All the eggs have been removed and are in the incubator of which I ran out and bought.

Now on to the second part of this. I received a phone call at 11:30 PM on the 6th of august. My partner was in process of watching our largest female(angel)lay a clutch of her own. That nest was raided this morning and 32 eggs were recovered. All the eggs look to be viable. Obviously I wish to provide good homes to these animals as much as possible. Anyone who knows of someone looking for such an animal, please let me know. Just post on here or email through the link. I would like to thank Chris for the information and will keep everyone informed of the outcome. I may not have the complete knowledge of these animals as some of you may, but I guarnatee I have the heart and love for these animals that you couldnt believe. Good night to everyone.
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I don't want to belabor this and I don't mean to be argumentative BUT if your caiman breed great! But the real question is not whether one should breed a crocodilian that ends up in many poor situations but whether you should allow the eggs to hatch.

As a person who helps many of these animals out of bad situations how many of these 57 potential hatchlings do you think will find suitable homes? Are you going to find 57 people willing to raise and keep a spectacled caiman through adulthood?

Now understand I am glad your animals are well cared for and healthy and if you want to breed and sell them that is fine, but I think your working against you other 'rescue' idea at the same time. Whereas by destroying the egss(as more than a few people who keeps crocs do) you would help stop the animals from comingback to you in a few short years.

Just my humble opinion.
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'