Reptile & Amphibian Forums

WOULD MY 3 AND 1/2 FOOT SPEC APPRECIATE A WATER DEPTH IN EXCESS OF 20 INCHES. HIS WATER AREA IS 76L 40W AND 24H AND HE HAS A LAND AREA ALL AROUND IT. HE ALSO HAS A LAND AREA WITHIN THE WATER AREA AND HE NEVER COMES OUT ON THE BIG LAND AREA AND WALK AROUND. IF I JUST FILLED UP THE WATER AREA TO THE TOP DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD MAKE HIM COME OUT MORE AND MOVE AROUND, AND DO YOU THINK HE WOULD LIKE THE DEEPER WATER. RIGHT NOW HIS WATER IS ONLY ABOUT 8". THANKS JASON

In my experience crocodilians do not need much water depth but do make use of it. They also seem to appreciate it.

Most of my enclosures have a water depth of 18-24 inches. I am in the process of designing pens with deeper water, in the 3-4 ft range.

20 inches IMHO would be enjoyed by your caiman.
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Crocodilians in their natural habitats exist in bodies of water. They are free to swim and dive as they please. In my opinion, anyone who chooses to keep such animals should provide the land space and the water area. A 4 foot diameter pond 20 inches deep is not what I personally would consider adequate. Just think of the massive bodies of water these animals have in the wild. Several species enjoy submerging, and should have adequte space to go for a nice swim around. I can't stand when some writes...I have a 4 foot gator in a 10x10 room with a 250 gallon water area...to me, thats just not the way to do it. I am aware though that many people love their crocs, gators, and caimans very much so...just make the entire enclosure as large as possible...they will enjoy it much more, and you'll love having a large area to observe their behaviors. Sorry if this was a "ramble-session".

He was asking about water depth. He wanted to know if it would be to deep.

>>Crocodilians in their natural habitats exist in bodies of water. They are free to swim and dive as they please.

Yes that is correct................

>>In my opinion, anyone who chooses to keep such animals should provide the land space and the water area. A 4 foot diameter pond 20 inches deep is not what I personally would consider adequate. Just think of the massive bodies of water these animals have in the wild.

Captive situations being what they are, this fellow appears to have adequate water area for a 3ft caiman. It is an oblong 6 ft pool nearly 4ft wide. None of us can duplicate nature. In this case I think he's on the right track for a private hobbyist. Having said that your entitled to your opinion.

>>Several species enjoy submerging, and should have adequte space to go for a nice swim around.

They all submerge. Hence the mans questions about water depth.

>>I can't stand when some writes...I have a 4 foot gator in a 10x10 room with a 250 gallon water area...to me, thats just not the way to do it. I am aware though that many people love their crocs, gators, and caimans very much so...just make the entire enclosure as large as possible...they will enjoy it much more, and you'll love having a large area to observe their behaviors. Sorry if this was a "ramble-session".

This I agree with to a point. You can have an enclosure that is big for bigs sake and makes maintenance more dangerous than it need be to both animal and keeper. In any captive situation a balance must be reached.
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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, THE WATER AREA IS OVER SIX FEET LONG AND 40 INCHES WIDE, THAT IS MUCH BIGGER THEN MOST CAPTIVE HABITATS I HAVE SEEN. INFACT FOR HIS SIZE HE HAS MORE ROOM THEN THE BIGGER CROCS AT ALLIGATOR ADVENTURE. I DO LOVE HIM, AND HIS HABITAT SHOWS IT. HE HAS A CAVE, WATERFALL, FAKE TREES ECT.ECT. BUT WITH ALL THIS ROOM HE ONLY USES ABOUT A 1/4 OF IT. HE BASKS AND THEN SOAKS, AND THEN REPEATS HIMSELF. I DID FORGET TO MENTION THAT I LIVE IN SOUTH CAROLINA SO HE DOES SPEND A GOOD BIT OF TIME OUTDOORS AS WELL. AGAIN THANKS FOR THE INFO, AND I ASURE YOU HE IS A HAPPY CAIMAN. JASON