Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Caimens are growing fast. This picture was taken Aug 08 when I still had them outside.I believe they are about 10 months old when the picture was taken. They are both males. Second picture is 19 month old male pectinata's. One on the right was a runt and the other the fastest growing one. The runt is catching up. The last picture is of two male pectinata's hatched out June 08.They are starting to show a little yellow.

Great pics. Couple questions - what do you feed the Caimen lizards, and can't they stay outside year round? Mark Hauge

I feed them frozen snails and frozen periwinkles with the shells off and also cat food. I find the snails and periwinkles in the Asian markets. On the snails and periwinkles they are approx $3 per lb and 1 lb feed my four caimen lizards for 4 days.
No I can't keep them outside year round. Last year I believe I put them outside around mid April to May and brought them in late Sept or early Oct. Inside they live in a 4X8 cage that is 6ft tall. These guys have really surprised me with their gentle demenor even when fully heated up.
Thanks
Kelly Paul

Lookin Good Kelly! Tom

Great lookin lizards. Those caimans are probably one of the only non-iguanids I would love to keep.

I have to agree. They are the only non iguanids I have other than my daughters bearded dragons.
I am still very surprised by their calm demeanor and very thankfull for it when I have to move them to clean the cage. Otherwise I would use Marks trick of moving them when they are in a hollow log.

Hey Kelly, interesting thing, years back I think 50 to 100 came into the states and you are they only one I know who has them. Did the other ones die out? Are CL hard to keep? I ask, because I would love to get some at some time.

Why do you ask that? Are they no longer being imported/captive bred?

I've been looking like crazy to find one for sale, but to no avail.

Any contacts you could mention would be appreciated.
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2.4.0 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Copperhead
1.1.0 Eastern Box Tutles

Hi Mark, My purchase of the caimens was based on breeding sucess at the San Diego and Nashville zoo's and the Shed aquarium in Chicago and info that I had gathered that captive born babies were not as pissy as wild caught imports. My understanding they were captive born in Peru. Judging by their gram weights and a U Tube video I figured they were two months old when I purchased them which gave me a better chance for success. They are very easy to keep. I try to keep their temp range 65 degrees minimum and up to 115 degrees in the Summer.When we hit the hot days it is surprising that they may be basking in the sun when it gets over 105. Their enclosure always has shade and water and I will post some pics of the enclosures soon to give you an idea. As to the other animals that were imported I know a friend of mine has a pair. They are doing well. As for the rest I have seen some for sale at the bigger reptile shows and just to put it bluntly I don't think they were getting the proper care and were doomed for death.

cont..
I also heard that 8 or 10 yrs ago when they were brought in that most of those perished possibly due to the parromixto virus. Thats about all I know. Overall I think they are really easy to take of. I do have a smaller one that has an attitude but once I pick her up she is fine. The only pain is the water has to be changed regulary.

Mark,
EBV got 4 of them in 4-6 mos. ago maybe, my time frame may be off. I think they were captive bred. I saw them, they were pretty young. 2 died and they sold 2. They have a connection that may help.
jf

2 dead out of four? Not good odds.

Hi Kelly. You have some amazing animals. I have met you at the tucson reptile show a few times, are you going to the next one? Are you not breeding tegus anymore? Thanks. Tyler.

I am breeding tegu's still. I forget about them when they hibernate 6 to 7 months out of the year. I have been lucky enough to sell out in Daytona in Aug. for the last year or two. I may or may not be there depending on what I have this year and am lucky enough to hatch out.

Hey, Kelly, Instant Gratification here!!! Great looking animals, you have there. I was happy to see the picture of the pectinatas that were hatched in June to compare with my little guy. Mine would have been hatched in August, I'm guessing because you said he was just a month old at the Daytona Show. He is just alittle smaller than those two and starting to show his yellow, also. He is fiesty until I get him caught, then he really mellows out. He is into being hand fed now. So spoiled!! I am so happy with him!! Thanks again!!

know where to purchase a female pectinata?
thanks