Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello croc owners,

I am new to owning crocs and have received my first baby dwarf caiman just now by mail He is in his new tank and it looks liek he is in shock so far from his new habitat. He just floats there in one place. I threw in a goldfish for now. What do you suggest I start feeding him and when? Should i give hima aday or two to adjust? or should i go out and buy some more fish/ pinkies/ crickets????? I want this neonate to start munching ASAP. Any ideas? Thanks

Ron

>>I am new to owning crocs and have received my first baby dwarf caiman just now by mail He is in his new tank and it looks liek he is in shock so far from his new habitat.

Congratulations!! I hope you enjoy him.

I threw in a goldfish for now.

I would strongly suggest NOT feeding goldfish. They hold absolutely NO nutritional value at all, and for a young caiman you want to make sure it has a good, well balanced diet with LOT of vitamins and nutrients.

What do you suggest I start feeding him and when?

In the wild, Dwarf Caimans eat a variety of aquatic invertebrates as well as amphibians (frogs, etc), rodents, birds, snakes, and possibly smaller caiman (which of course I would suggest not feeding...lol). Depending on how small he is (probably around 8-9 inches if he is a young hatchling), but I would recommend rodents mostly at this stage in it's life. He is probably too small for rat pups, so you might want to try pinky mice w/ a vitamin supplement. Protein and Calcium are very important. Fish is also something good to add in, you might consider going to your local grocery store and possibly purchase some catfish nuggets that you can vitamin supplement. Just cut them into appropriate size pieces for him.

*As a side question and not to be rude or anything, but isn't this something you should have researched BEFORE having this animal sent to your doorstep?*

Should i give hima aday or two to adjust? or should i go out and buy some more fish/ pinkies/ crickets?????

Give him a week or so to adjust. Make sure that his temperatures are appropriate (Tropical Species) and make sure that his enclosure it set up appropriately as well.

Rick provided me a link that I was reading earlier to learn a bit more about their breeding behavior and such, but I think it would be a good thing for you to read. These animals require slightly different care than other crocodilians and this site outlines some of those.

www.crocodilian.com/paleosuchus

I want this neonate to start munching ASAP. Any ideas? Thanks

Give him some time and make sure he feels secure. He will eat in due time. Dont' spend a whole lot of time bothering him as it could stress him out more and could prolong his adaptation a bit.

Hope this helps,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

just as Chris said... give him some time alone....

this guys don´t like people... provide a big cave or some hide where he can fit... maybe you wont like it because you wont see him, but he will love it....

mine spend all day in his cave where I cant see him, but he goes out at nigth, around 9 pm until 5 or 6 am...

feed him with some dusted crickets and fish... this guys love to hunt fishes, it works as exercise also...

when he feels better, offer him mice pinkies... first he will bite and throw them away... but with some time will accept it..

good look

Rick