Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it legal to own a caiman (dwarf) in the state of Florida? I've been thinking about moving up into crocodilians for awhile and will probably do so in a year or two. I was thinking about starting off with a dwarf caiman but when I read through FL herp laws it mostly dealt with alligators and I eventually got confused reading through all that and decided to ask someone who may know lol .

Thanks for any help in advance.

You'll need a permit - don't recall if it's class 1 or 2. It's fairly difficult to satisfy the requirements from what I understand. 1000 hours of documented work with crocodilians and facilities inspection.

Others may know more details.

Bill

hello what part of florida .do you live in . I'M in miami and I HAVE all 3 permits for crocodilians. if you want to email me at nigelcroc@YAHOO.COM . Like bill said it's hard to get approved for a license. you would have to work under some one for a 1000 hours and that person that you worked for hads too write you two letters that you worked with them for a 1000 hrs. plus you have too have your enclouse built before the game warden come out too inspect it. NOT all community or cities would allow you to keep them . so you have to check your local law. If you live close by me
I could show you the ropes for free. arthur

Thanks Bill and Arthur for your replies.

Arthur,

That is one heck of an offer but im up in the Orlando area and wouldnt be able to. We'll looks like im gonna have to find some where to put in some hours if I want to follow through.

Thanks again

or you could just go out and buy one.

Let's go out and buy a crocodilian in which I know that I dont have proper permits for so if I get caught, then I only help to add yet another un-needed nail in our already over-hammered coffin. The judges must have one hell of a time deciding the winner for the Darwin award. We have so many fantastic nominees!

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

oh yeah im so worried. any minute now the FBI is going to kick in my door with that "alligator" search warrant.