Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all I am a new owner of an approx 12 in long dwarf caiman. I have had him a week. He has feed once on a "hopper". I have been following the care instructions of the prev owner. He may be fine but to me he is acting out of sorts. when he is lying in the water rather than holding his whole body at the surface he allows his hind quarters to drop to about a 45 degree angle. I have yet to see him submerge fully ever. there is a tetra water filter/ waterfall feature and he spends most of his time perched on that. his breathing appears normal. he hasnt eaten any of the provided goldfish, and I tried feeding him again today and he didnt take the mouse. From your folks collective experience does this seem out of whack? Also the cage is set up with a night basking heat lamp that maintains the air around 85 and a water heater towoards the same temp do I need to adjust either of these? I also believe the uv light that the previous owner was using t be a plain flourecent bulb does that matter or should I get a speciality one from the pet store? I dont want him to die please help if anything seems amiss! his eyes are clear and he does seem emaciated or anything.
thanks Brett

1. Water temp is super important. I would keep it at 83-85. If water temp falls below 76 or 73, I have read they dont eat at all. Get a digital thermometer if you dont have one (petsmart shop)
2. Give him a hiding place (leaves or scrubs for him to feel safe).
3. Give him a few days to get used to his new environment (I would say 1-2 weeks).
4. Give him his food in the night time and then leave him TOTALLY alone. (small pinkies)

Dont worry about if he is in the water or on the land. They are smart animals, they will figure out where to go when they want to. Dont despair, he will be ok.

Yes its fine. it may be at the filter becuase caiman are from faster moving water areas and they wait for fish to swim to them where the water is stronger. Although i'm sure its too small to have those thoughts already... Its probably just using it to hold on to. As stated in the other comment water temp is important and provide lost of cover so that it does not get over stressed. They also for the most part eat at night. It needs time to "settle in" or get used to tihngs.

One more thing... Goldfish arent the healthiest of things to feed them. Try other fish that have a lower fat content.

good luck

Well, I guess I'll add a different point of view. In my opinion, the water temperature is too warm which may be causing stress on this animal. Field studies have indicated that these animals can be found in fairly cool streams in their native habitat. We keep our dwarfs at 78-80 which may have some cool fluctuations from time to time. We still maintain fairly constant ambient air temps that range from the upper 70's to the low to mid 80's. We also provide a radiant heat panel for basking day and night where the little croc can reach higher temps while still have cooler zones. Thermal regulation is the key and giving these crocs choices w/in an acceptable variance. Dwarf caiman must feel secure in order to thrive to give him some cover, plants, hollow cork, etc.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Hi all I am a new owner of an approx 12 in long dwarf caiman. I have had him a week. He has feed once on a "hopper". I have been following the care instructions of the prev owner. He may be fine but to me he is acting out of sorts. when he is lying in the water rather than holding his whole body at the surface he allows his hind quarters to drop to about a 45 degree angle. I have yet to see him submerge fully ever. there is a tetra water filter/ waterfall feature and he spends most of his time perched on that. his breathing appears normal. he hasnt eaten any of the provided goldfish, and I tried feeding him again today and he didnt take the mouse. From your folks collective experience does this seem out of whack? Also the cage is set up with a night basking heat lamp that maintains the air around 85 and a water heater towoards the same temp do I need to adjust either of these? I also believe the uv light that the previous owner was using t be a plain flourecent bulb does that matter or should I get a speciality one from the pet store? I dont want him to die please help if anything seems amiss! his eyes are clear and he does seem emaciated or anything.
>>thanks Brett
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

thanks to all he is being more croc like the water was too warm and I think getting a better quality uv light helped. Also does anyone else have a caiman that when you drizzle water on his snout he reaches up as far as he can and seems to truely enjoy it? He seems to relax completely when I do this. Not to mention getting anthropomorphic for a sec, its really cute.