Does anyone know what would cause a caiman to retain shed skin around his toes, causing toe loss? My guy's lost one, and I'd like to keep there from being a second. I got all the restrictive skin off that I could, but would like to know how to prevent this. My caiman spends 50-75% of his time in the water. I give him a varied diet, supplemented with nekton rep and calcium.
Any suggestions or opinions would be very helpful and much appreciated.
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Caiman Toe Loss?
hairijuana
Sep 22, 2003 04:49 PM
Replies (2)
bengalensis
Sep 23, 2003 03:09 AM
Ive known from my experience with monitors that trouble with shedding stems from low humidity levels, especially with juveniles. My first question is, what sort of top do you have on your enclosure? Is it a screen type that could let all the moisture in the air out? Ive seen really bad situations where an animal has lost almost all its toes because of poor humidity levels. Even with water avail to soak in 24/7 the animal was always dehydrated. Seems like the simpelist things make all the difference...
Good luck!
Michelle
hairijuana
Sep 23, 2003 09:16 AM
thanks for your advise.
i've seen the same happen in monitors too.
the top of the enclosure is half screen, which i have now covered with a towel, except for the lights. i also soaked him in warmer water than in his tank, and removed all the skin i could from his toes. i cleaned the stump of the one toe well, so hopefully that should help. thanks again
