Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Diamond Caiman. I have had him a little over a month now. He refuses to eat anything but live food. I was told initially to feed him crickets and some ground meat fortified with vitamins. I have fed him the ground meat since day one but he refused to eat them. I fed him feeder fish (that I raise) but have since then been informed that this is not a good practice and in fact should shy from all live food to reduce the hunting instinct. the problem I have is that he will not eat anything if it is not live. I have let him go five days. puting new food in every day (replacing it because it dries out) he will not eat it period. I tried letting him go three days with nothing in the tank at all and then feeding him cows heart. again he would not eat anything. now he is getting skinny and lethargic so last night I fed him some feeders (and not a lot in hopes he would try his other food) he immediately ate the fish and then refused to touch the other food. What am I to do?

have you tried mice pinkies?
i dont no much about crocodilians. i do have a camin.
he"s a very pickie eater.if its dead he wont touch it.
i get more enjoyment watching him eat.so were both happy.
dont worry they wont starve them selfs to death.
and the gold fish.i feed mine them win he was a baby.
now he"s 33"inc & fat.with no problems. i just wish he would let me hold him with out takeing off my hand. o well take the good with the bad. still a great animal.

Dont always feed feeder fish. Can cause defiencys and disorders. Try leaving the food in overnight on the dry area close to the water. Various things you can feed includes mice, insects, chickens, livers, and hearts. List could go on and on. I prefer to feed rodents though to captive animals in private collections. Healthier. Crocodilians canlive their whole lives on a diet consisting of mice.