Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

This is Danny's mother Jenny. I understand many of you might have experience with crocodilians. But this is a very small species. My son is not an idiot.

This specific crocodilian only averages out around 3 feet. I don't think that a 3 foot caman would be that dangerous to my son and furthermore I don't think it would be quite that difficult to house properly.

I would appreciate it if you would not bad mouth my son because he wants one. Danny is a very smart boy and he's is perfectly capable of taking care of one of these. My friend that I used to work with used to have a speckled caman. He said they only get about 3 feet possibly 3 1/2 feet depending on the size of their environment.

I feel that you need to start learning more about certain animals before relaying information to someone else.

Jenny Hanson

Jenny,

First off, noone in here ever said that your son was an idiot. Jumping ahead too fast? yes. Idiot? no. Obviously you don't know what you are talking about either. As you stated in your post, most of us in here are EXPERIENCED crocodilian owners. That means that we know what we are talking about on a general note. I certainly don't know as much as some others in here but I am sure I have a pretty good grasp on things.

The crocodilian that you had referenced to as a "speckled caiman", is actually pronounced and spelled,"spectacled caiman". This specific kind of crocodilian, yes stays smaller than the majority of his larger cousins, but still obtains lengths of between 5-6 feet if cared for properly. Still 5-6 feet is average, and it might not seem like that big of a deal. But their aggressive nature, and low tolerance for being handled, could make them feel like a 10 foot american alligator. They are also far quicker, and just in case you don't know this either, they have TEETH. These animals are not for inexprienced keepers. I was not doubting your sons ability to keep them. I was primarily cautioning him on his decision.

Obviously your son wasn't the only one who didn't do his homework.

With that said, your son may not be an idiot, but that's not saying very much for you.

Have a great day, and I hope you and your son are able to keep your limbs.

Chris

when I was about Danny's age my mother told me I could have an alligator if I kept high honor roll up for a whole year. I did, meanwhile doing all of the needed research. Ive been keeping reptiles for as long as I can remember....so it wouldnt have been my first herp....rather one of MANY. When the time came to get the gator, I backed off, even though my heart is still set on getting one someday. I ended up knowing a ton about alligator husbandry, and enjoying crocodilians in the WILD where they belong. a kid, though capabale and knowlewgeable, I dont think has the resources to care for a crocodilian through high school and college.... its tough to keep the herp collection going with school and everything else..I should know!!

-KE
Words of advice for Danny... I am SO relieved I didnt get an alligator when I could have, when I was your age. Its so hard to have your heart set on an animal and willingly change your mind, but its worth it. You have yourself set up to have a large aggresive animal that needs a home, right when you are trying to go to college. AFTERWARDS, when you can provide a large, non college dorm home for the animal it would be a better idea. for YOUR sake, dont go for the caiman now...wait a while. in the mean time you will learn so much, and maybe even find a species you like better. I know how it feels, trust me! find a WAY COOL lizard, like a tegu or monitor that you would be distracted by for a while, and better able to care for, or find a home for if you are unable to keep it through college. You'll be happier, trust me!

hello dannys mom.my name is archie i have kept this species for 30 years my breeder male 7 foot female 5 foot it is a falicy to belive they grow to their enviorment i gave danny good sound advice on getting a caimen i am not against it! i belive the world needs moor responcible keepers! danny is a good candidate as one diamond caimens are bred to be female may i suggest one of these or a dwarf palpabrosus

Here is proof that caiman get 6 foot plus. This is a picture of one of my males. He is well over 6 foot.

The best thing to do is resurch on the web both of you. If you and your son think you can handle the task then I say let him get one. If anything happens and he has to get rid of it I will always take them. I wish my mom would have let me have one when I was young. Lord knows I wanted one!! Look now I have over 70 in breeding projects alone. If I would have started then who know how many I would have now.

I am not saying every kid should have one but I think maturity and intrest in them should out weigh the age factor especially if the parents are behind them and they know all the facts before the purchase is made. Also make sure the facts are correct. Specs do get 6 foot. It is rare but if size is a problem there are other species to chose from.

You can't compair crocodilians to anything else but crocodilians and even then they have different attitudes completly with in the same species. If you want croc experiance you have to work with crocs to get it.

Who will be the keepers of tomorrow if we don't give them the chance to learn today??

Also, I don't think people realize how INCREDIBLY powerful these animals are, even at a small size.

Rob

>>Here is proof that caiman get 6 foot plus. This is a picture of one of my males. He is well over 6 foot.
>>
>>The best thing to do is resurch on the web both of you. If you and your son think you can handle the task then I say let him get one. If anything happens and he has to get rid of it I will always take them. I wish my mom would have let me have one when I was young. Lord knows I wanted one!! Look now I have over 70 in breeding projects alone. If I would have started then who know how many I would have now.
>>
>>I am not saying every kid should have one but I think maturity and intrest in them should out weigh the age factor especially if the parents are behind them and they know all the facts before the purchase is made. Also make sure the facts are correct. Specs do get 6 foot. It is rare but if size is a problem there are other species to chose from.
>>
>>You can't compair crocodilians to anything else but crocodilians and even then they have different attitudes completly with in the same species. If you want croc experiance you have to work with crocs to get it.
>>
>>Who will be the keepers of tomorrow if we don't give them the chance to learn today??
>>

a 3" camin can give you 15 stitches & rip tendens.
ask my doctor

Hello everyone,

This is Danny's mother again. I would like to apologize to all of you. After doing some research and after reading all of your posts, you are all right. My son really wasn't prepared for that.

Danny is a bit young, and still has some time in school. Chris started giving him advice first, and I would like to thank you for keeping my sons safety in mind. I am not really worried overall about the space required even for the new info I have found.

Chris although I feel that you had come off a little strong......you were right. Instead of bad mouthing the people that were trying to help my son, I should have done MY HOMEWORK. Thank you all for helping me to realize that.

In a few years, we will see what happens. I will still support him if he wants a caiman, but I will be making him wait until he atleast gets out of high school, to see what other options are available to him. I don't feel that I would be willing to handle that big of an aggressive animal if he went away to college.

Thank you again for all of your information.

jenny

Jenny,

I apologize for the tone of my post. I must say, you coming in here and badmouthing everyone that was trying to help him, really ticked me off. It is easy for someone who is "ignorant" to a particular subject to come in and blast away at experienced keepers and enthusiasts.

Everyone in here was just trying to provide him some help. As many have mentioned in here, if he has the option, try to find someone in your area that he might be able to shadow and learn from. If that is not an option (even though obviously some people in here disagree with this) possibly get him another animal, that is challenging to own and whatnot such as a savannah monitor, or an iguana, etc, if you are willing to provide space, care, and time to it. It will not provide him with everything he needs to handle caiman's (crocodilians period) properly and safely, but it will atleast provide him with the foundation of handling them comfortably and helping to learn to restrain larger lizards, etc.

Once again, good luck and hope everything work out ok.

Chris

He sounds like most enthusiastic 14 year olds. He just doesn't have the experience and knowledge necessary to be prepared for what he wants to do. He has plenty of time to get it.