Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are diamond caimen really as calm as Diamond Reptiles would have you believe? just wondering if anyone has purchased one and if they are as great as advertised.
thanks,
jason

hey Jason,
I purchased a male diamond caiman from Mitch in January of 2003. He is easily handled and awesome to work with. He's intelligent enough to recognize several audio commands (different chirps and barks, for example) and really only gets aggressive when he hears his feeding signal. He has been worked with a lot since I got him, and he'll even come over when I call him and let me pick him up.
He prefers cooler temperatures than a caiman, more like an alligator, with room temperature water and a 100 degree basking spot. That hasn't effected his health or feeding at all. As for the adult size of these hybrids, I guess we won't know for sure for a few more years.
Definatly one of the coolest herps I've had! Hope I answered your quesions. Make sure to read through http://crocodilian.com/crocfaq/ if you're new to crocs (everyone says this for a good reason) and make sure you understand the responsibilties and dangers involved with keeping any crocodilian. Hope I answered your quesions.
Harry

Harry,
thanks for responding, i had my doubts of anyone answering me. i've posted here twice before and no response. but yeah i've been researching crocodilians for about a year now and i am currently working my way through all the papers to get the permit for one. but from talking ot the people who have permits already all d.n.r. seems to really want is the 60 dollar license feel. i do not know if i will be limited to an american alligator or not once it get it though. but i just thought i would look at some other options that i would possibly like to possible have.
thanks again,
jason

Jason,

Keep in mind that Harry's experience (as great as it is) is atypical. Most caimans do not tolerate much human interaction. Mitch is a good guy, I've done business with him in the past and would not hesitate to do business with him again.

Harry - How large is your diamond caiman?

My caiman is still only about 15 inches (maybe a bit larger, but not much). He was 8.5 inches when I got him. From my research this is an surprisingly slow growth rate. I've heard that sometimes a few out of a clutch grow very slowly, even when not kept with dominant individuals. I'll have to search for the source of this info. I welcome any ideas as to his slow growth rate... most of you know tons more than I do and have quite a bit more experience. His temps are as stated in my above post. I orginally had him in a 30 gallon when I got him, but moved to a larger tank (70 "breeder" sized acrylic tank) when I first thought he was growing too slow. His water is well filtered with a wet/dry, and has plenty of places to hide / climb / bask. He gets fed mice, crickets, fish (no rosies or golds), sometimes pellets, and occasionally chunks of meat.
As for his attitude, I've no doubt that he's atypical for a croc. But I have put in a lot of time with him. His tank is in the bedroom so he sees me a lot. He's comfortable with my hands being anywhere in his tank, and talks up a storm when he sees someone he knows and swims over. Whether other diamond caiman are displaying the same attitude would be interesting to know, hopefully people will start to speak up.

yeah i always wondered how on the website they know that these caimen are bred to be pets.i would love to see how someone who bought some out of the first clutch feel about them now. but thanks for all the information. it has been very inlightening.

It has been my experience that many caiman (as well as several other species of crocodilian) get a change in attitude at about the 2 foot mark. Animals that where easy going or timid seem to change almost overnight. Hopefully, your caiman will remain as it is.

Regarding the growth rate of your caiman: How long did it take your caiman to grow from 8.5" to 15"?

I also have dealt with Mitch, and he's a great guy, BUT having gotten a hatchling nile x morelet's croc from him 4 years ago, I can attest to what John said.

Even "True Crocs" are mellow at sizes less than 2 feet. Even this hybrid, which I consider EXTREMELY MELLOW for a crocodile, has shown a more bold, attitude after it hit the 3 foot mark. While it can be handle to transport, etc. It does not and will not sit still in ones hands, as say a gator will.

It is not aggressive, nor does it go out of its way to bite---in fact these crocs are just as intelligent as any other crocodilian, and able to be conditioned (NOT TRAINED) to walk over and accept rats and mice, adn then retreat to their lairs. In fact, this animal has for whatever reason, associated me with its handler, and makes no attempt to bite, although, an agent on my NYS Endangered species permit, has had it clamp down on him several times while trying to transport it. (He does where falconers cloves when he grabs it).

Conditioning has nothing to do with Being bred for "A PET" THERE IS NOT A CROCODILIAN OUT THERE DESIGNED TO BE A PET! WE've caught American crocs less up to a meter long in Central America which don't attempt to bite, That's does not mean they are docile and tame----it just means they haven't gotten to that "I'm a real $&$&%^%" point yet.

me "offical" reason for getting an crocodlian is to use it for education and demonstrations. so if i plan on doing that with hands on type stuff an alligator is the best bet. thank you for all of your opinions, they are really helping me to expand my crocodilian knowledge.

jason

My caiman was also docile when she was small like yours is. NOw that she is over 3 feet she is totally different. She is a very aggro feeder now. She jumps and lunges now which she never used to do. When i handle her, she is less tolerant of me holding her for long periods of time. SHe get "restless" and starts to squirm, at over 3 feet she is very strong is can be quite a handful to maintain a safe grip on. I can not image what she'll be like as 4 to 6 feet. I think most everyone that has a small caiman now will be in for a big surprise if they think they have a Pet caiman when it gets to be a subadult/adult.

>>It has been my experience that many caiman (as well as several other species of crocodilian) get a change in attitude at about the 2 foot mark. Animals that where easy going or timid seem to change almost overnight. Hopefully, your caiman will remain as it is.
>>
>>Regarding the growth rate of your caiman: How long did it take your caiman to grow from 8.5" to 15"?