Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Our wildlife center recently took in a Spec. Caiman as a result of a family who had a family member die who took care of this animal (and the surviving family didn't want anything to do with this animal). What shocked me were the conditions that this animal was kept AND the size of this animal. At approximately 8 years of age, this little guy is no longer than 18" (and based on the records they showed me, it is a fairly accurate estimate)! What is even more shocking is that from a strictly outwardly health standpoint (we are doing a battery of blood and fecals right now), he looked like a perfectly normal and even well rounded caiman. How this animal survived all of those years in a dingy, dirty tank with only a low wattage heat lamp for light and heat (in a completely dark basement) along with unheated water that was as green as pea soup, is utterly amazing. Hopefully, he'll make a turnaround. Anyone here seen a severely stunted croc like this make up lost growth?

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

About eight, maybe nine years ago I picked up a common caiman - maybe about two feet in length, that had been left in the owners cold, dark basement in an unheated aquarium (much like yours). The owner was a self-proclaimed "animal lover" who couldn't bring himself to put it the caiman down, so it was left to die on its own. This was October. By the following July, the caiman still wasn't dead so the owner contacted my via the Humane Society. I agreed to meet the guy and take the animal from him (he didn't want me at his house, wonder why?????). When I picked the caiman up from the cooler he was in, he could barely hold his head up and everyone of his ribs and his hip girdle was showing. Plus, the scales were loose and infected as was the end of his nose.

The good news is that after about 6 or 8 weeks (I don't remember anymore) of rehab - scrubbing and treating the infections, clean water, nice warm basking spot and proper nutrition - this guy came around as good as new! He had attitude even for a spec caiman, so much so that we named him "Psycho".

We gave him to a good home and have since lost track of him so I don't know what his growth or current status is. All I can say is that these are amazingly tough animals

As for your question, I don't know if it will resume normal growth patterns - my guess would be not though due to age.

What do you do with them when you've gotten them back to health? I know you take in quite a few and if memory serves, have a place that you can send them?

Bill

A few months back our rescue center got an alligator that was 5 years old and 1 1/2 ft. It hasn't grown any but boy has he filled out and what attitude for an alligator. Leaps out of the enclosure for the food. A real hand full.
crocodil

I was just wondering if the stunted gator still had its stripes. I've been trying to figure out if they lose the stripes after a certain length or age. Thanks.
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