Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I don't know why but the post I left last night isn't on the site. I wrote out a really long one but this one will be shorter. Anyways, I've always been a snake keeper but recently sparked interest in alligators, crocodilians, and caimans. I have decided on getting a Diamond Caiman because my friend has one and it never bites. It wouldn't bite if you wanted it to. So I was just asking for info on the ideal setup for a baby diamond caiman and how to care for him and all. I plan on getting a 55 gallon tank with 1/3 land and 2/3 water. A heat lamp over the land. I'll put a filter and heater in the water, which I will place under the land area. Is that where I should put it? Also, how often do I feed and is raw hamburger meat fine? Umm, not sure what else to ask. Around how long do they live? I just want a care sheet for them basically but I can't find one. So, just basic need-to-know info. please. The more info. the better. I think I know what I'll need but I want to be positive. How deep should the water be? How warm? What about the basking spot? Just anything you know of on caring for diamond caimans is appreciated!

Thanks,
Stephen

Start here, this is an excellent resource for any species.

www.crocodilian.com

The FAQ tells you everything you need to get started, I suggest reading thru the whole thingf first, and also picking up this book after that:

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1891429108/qid=1120255664/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/002-0047301-5259214?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Most of the care info you asked can be answered in this link
www.crocodilian.com/crocfaq/. I also recommend that book too. But you won't find anything on the diamond caiman specifically because its a hybrid created for commercial purposes (i.e. not an animal found in nature). Your setup sounds fine for the first year or so. I imagine they live as long as any other caiman (30-50 years).

The problem with the diamond caimans is that no one really knows much about them. I think they have only been produced for about 3 years (this will be the 4th). They are hybrids of two medium sized species (Spectacles and Yacare) that generally grow from 6'-8'. To my knowledge there are no adults yet and most baby crocs are docile in their first 2 years anyway.
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1.1 Womas, 1.0 Australian Olive Python, 1.0 Centralian Carpet Python, 1.1 Cape York Spotted Pythons, 1.0 Australian Water Python, 1.0 Albino Green Burmese, 1.1 Loxocemus bicolor (New World "Pythons" ), 1.2 Peruvian Red-Tail Boas, 2.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Belem Brazilian Red- Tail Boa, 0.0.1 North American Wood Turtle, 0.0.2 European Pond Turtles, 1.0 Leucistic Alligator Snapper, 0.0.1 FL Red Belly, 0.0.1 Concentric Diamondback Terrapin, 1.1 Crested Geckos, 1.0 Yellow Ackie, 1.0 Yellow Bearded Dragon

Yeah, I thought about that too. Well, how good are Spectacled Caimans for pets? Do they tend to be pretty mean? I heard that they can be tamed down easier than most caimans but then someone else told me that they are very mean. None of the Diamonds are old enough to breed with each other yet?

Spectacled caimans as a general rule are pretty nasty. Most caimans in general have pretty nasty temperaments. While caimans may stay smaller than most of their cousins they make up for what they lack in size with aggression. Crocodilians in general DO NOT make good pets. Overall, I think you might consider a dwarf caiman. They stay smaller, yet they are still very strong and quick. You MUST be 100% careful when handling any of these animals. Don't trust advertising from Diamond reptile breeders just because they say "These are bred to be PETS". NO crocodilian in bred to be a pet. Don't expect to have a crocodilian that acts like a Chocolate lab, because it's not going to happen. The first couple of years for most crocodilians will be rather calm other than an occasional snap and alot of hissing. It's the adult years that you have to worry about. If you aren't prepared to deal with an aggressive animal on a regular basis then you might want to consider a savannah monitor or something of that sort.

Please think this through carefully and since I donot know who you are, I can only assume at this point that you are not knowledgeable about the proper care and maintenance of crocodilians. It is not an easy task and it's not a cheap one either! Please be responsible with the animal if you get it and if you feel that you can't properly maintain the animal any longer, then please look into responsible methods of getting rid of it.

Herp societies and such will be helpful or advertise in the classified section here in kingsnake.

Good Luck with your decision, I wish you and your croc well.

Best Wishes,

Chris

Well, I may be a fool but I do believe that Diamond Caimans may not make the ideal pet or anything but for a Crocodilian, they are ideal. See, I met Diamond Reptiles, stuck my hand in a tank of 10-15 babies, and they didnt budge. I moved my hand around all through them and still they didn't show aggression. I picked any of them that I wanted to up and they just walked around, no hissing or biting at all. He opened their mouths and stuck his finger in the mouth and it just turned away. Now, my friend has had one for several several months now, and his is still as tame as it was when we saw it at the reptile show. It still hasn't EVER hissed or bit, or tried to bite. It hasn't shown any aggression at all. I must admit I may not be the most knowledgeable in crocodilians, but I overall know alot about reptiles. I have many snakes and I have had to care for my friend's mean iguana. Now that I'm interested, I've studied them like crazy and I believe I know a fairly decent amount of information. More than most people do when they just get excited and buy one. Like you buy it and then worry about how to care for it. I make sure I know this in advance. Any more ideas of if Diamond Caimans are better caimans to have? If not Diamonds, what do you suggest? I would get an American Alligator but they are illegal here. I say that because they are very old and even as an adult people have them at pets, I know a few, and they can be very tame as long as you properly cared for them from a baby...tame but, HUGE. Anyone have anything to suggest or add in?

Stephen

The situation you described is typical of most baby crocodilians. Most are reluctant to bite. Specs usually have pretty nasty attitudes. I have had specs and alligators and while the gators were a little calmer, I wouldn't say they were tame. By the way, all were very docile babies. Honestly I think a diamond caiman wouldn't be any better or worse than any other species of caiman. They are all pretty dangerous.
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1.1 Womas, 1.0 Australian Olive Python, 1.0 Centralian Carpet Python, 1.1 Cape York Spotted Pythons, 1.0 Australian Water Python, 1.0 Albino Green Burmese, 1.1 Loxocemus bicolor (New World "Pythons" ), 1.2 Peruvian Red-Tail Boas, 2.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Belem Brazilian Red- Tail Boa, 0.0.1 North American Wood Turtle, 0.0.2 European Pond Turtles, 1.0 Leucistic Alligator Snapper, 0.0.1 FL Red Belly, 0.0.1 Concentric Diamondback Terrapin, 1.1 Crested Geckos, 1.0 Yellow Ackie, 1.0 Yellow Bearded Dragon

Well if they really aren't this unnusually tame (not just for crocodilians but pretty much any animal) then why does he advertise they are? All of the Diamonds that are alive, from the first ones that are probably older, to the hatchlings that are expected in 60 days, are tame and show no aggression, why do you think they would change? If a baby is "tame" and shows no aggression and I interact with it alot, why would it become mean if it is nice and really knows me? Not sure if I'm saying what I'm thinking, sorry if this is read in a confusing manner.

Stephen

they reach breeding age and get more aggressive. Also, as they get older they learn what their capabilities are and grow more and more confident. Like I said, this is typical of all crocs so I don't see why it would be any different with the diamond. I am not discouraging you from getting one, I just don't want you to be dissapointed if it gets aggressive on you. Ultimately the caiman will probably suffer more if you ever decide to get rid of it.
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1.1 Womas, 1.0 Australian Olive Python, 1.0 Centralian Carpet Python, 1.1 Cape York Spotted Pythons, 1.0 Australian Water Python, 1.0 Albino Green Burmese, 1.1 Loxocemus bicolor (New World "Pythons" ), 1.2 Peruvian Red-Tail Boas, 2.1 Hog Island Boas, 0.1 Belem Brazilian Red- Tail Boa, 0.0.1 North American Wood Turtle, 0.0.2 European Pond Turtles, 1.0 Leucistic Alligator Snapper, 0.0.1 FL Red Belly, 0.0.1 Concentric Diamondback Terrapin, 1.1 Crested Geckos, 1.0 Yellow Ackie, 1.0 Yellow Bearded Dragon

All younger crocodilians are virtually more passive than they are as adults. Frequent handling can help to keep that docility. Tame animals are RAISED this way, not BORN this way. These animals have only been bred by them for the past 3-4 years, therefore, none of these animals have reached adulthood. So for them to say that they have been bred to do this is completely misleading. None of them are at adult stages. I also know someone who has them and they are meaner than snot. They are crocodilians, not golden retrievers, no matter how they were "bred".

chris

Yes I realize that and if I get one then I will definitely tame it down the best I can with constant holding. Is there a caiman you suggest I get that you believe would be better than a Diamond Caiman? Also, in your picture what type is that and is it full grown?

Stephen

I am not saying that there is any particular species that is better than another. If you would like a diamond caiman then go for it. I am just saying dont fall prey to the "bred to be pets" crap they spread. I am not saying anything against the caimans they offer, but I am just saying that they are crocodilians and should be purchased as a crocodilian and not a "Pet". The animals showing in my picture are of my two American Alligators, Evander and Tyson.

Great looking gators! I would get gators but they are illegal in this state. That is stupid and ridiculous. I would get one anyway but I know I'd get caught because I have some loudmouths that I live with.

Stephen

I dont like to sound agressive... but how can you say you know a lot about crocodilians and you don´t even know what kind are the ones from Chris...??

and about Diamond Caiman, you just need to read what they say to know it is not true... only 5 generations and already say that males only grow 4-6 ft... ??? please....

good look

rick