Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am confused. please help. there is 2 dudes that work at the local reptile store, one says stay away from gators cause they get too big. says i should get a dewarf camin. but the owner says that dewarf caimans are nasty and unhandleable. he says gators are very docile and u can control their growth by controlling heat and foood intake, and that they are the way to go. has any one got any advice, i really woild like one or the other, so any help will be very greatfull

k-man

I would not suggest a gator unless you can handle a large,very large animal. You can slow there growth, but no matter what they will become much larger than a dwarf caiman. The dwarf caiman is a much smaller pet, but yes it does have a hell of an attitude that you will not be able to tame. It will bite at first chance. Some people say that you can tame them, but I own 8 caiman now and have had many more. NEVER has one been tame. So, if you can house a large animal for a very long time then go will a gator. Otherwise, go with the attitude....I never suggest a caiman for a first time crocodilian due to their attitude though. For more info on caimans, you can visit www.caimanhunter.com. Let me know what you think.

caimanbite
Link

If you have to listen to the two "DUDES" at the Pet Store then I would suggest alot more research on the subject before you but one. Chris Dieter has an awsome book out and there is a real arsonal of real info that the "DUDES" probally don't know. I hope you will look into it more before you run out and buy which ever one you can stuff into the smallest tank possible. Good luck to you.