Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's up croc fans,

Our nonprofit reptile rescue just picked up this Caiman this afternoon. Not long after the husband brought it home, the wife called our reptile rescue to get it out of their house ASAP, so there's not much history on him. He is just a tad over 3 feet. He exhibits normal agression for a spec and seems completely responsive and healthy. I'm not much of a croc expert, however, and I was wondering what some of you guys thought.

- He hasn't eaten for a couple months according to the surrendering owner. Is this a winter thing or probably because of the poor (cold) setup he came from?

- Any feeding tips to stimulate feeding? He refused f/t mice.

- How healthy do you think he looks, size-wise?

- Is it normal that not every toe has nails?

- Anything else that comes to mind?

Thanks croc fans!

-----
Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Hi,

From the photos, the animal appears to be healthy. Crocodilians only have nails on the inner three toes. If he hasn't eaten for a couple of months, then it is a good possibility he has been housed in cooler conditions than he should have been. Coldness and stress could lead to him refusing food. As far as his size is concerned, if we knew his age it would be more helpful. If he is showing normal aggression, that is at least a good sign. I would just get him warm, give him some time to cool his heals and get comfortable in his new environment. After that, hopefully you should be able to get him to eat something.

Hope this helps,

Chris

>>What's up croc fans,
>>
>>Our nonprofit reptile rescue just picked up this Caiman this afternoon. Not long after the husband brought it home, the wife called our reptile rescue to get it out of their house ASAP, so there's not much history on him. He is just a tad over 3 feet. He exhibits normal agression for a spec and seems completely responsive and healthy. I'm not much of a croc expert, however, and I was wondering what some of you guys thought.
>>
>>- He hasn't eaten for a couple months according to the surrendering owner. Is this a winter thing or probably because of the poor (cold) setup he came from?
>>
>>- Any feeding tips to stimulate feeding? He refused f/t mice.
>>
>>- How healthy do you think he looks, size-wise?
>>
>>- Is it normal that not every toe has nails?
>>
>>- Anything else that comes to mind?
>>
>>Thanks croc fans!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Jesse Rothacker
>>Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
>>Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
>>www.forgottenfriend.org
-----
U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Thanks for confirming that stuff for me. I thought he looked okay, but I figured the croc keepers on this forum would know a lot better than I would.

He is suppposed to be 3-4 years old. From the looks of his setup, things were not ideal. It was a wire dog cage with a rubbermaid tub full of cold, still water, in the middle of the living room. I didn't see any heat sources for him anywhere, so I figured that would explain his not eating. They said he was refusing raw chicken, which I know is a bad diet anyway.

The owners were nice people, but not going to win "herpetologist of the year" any time soon. I know we can't save all of the crocs that are with bad owners, but at least we'll find a better permanent home for this guy before long.

- Jesse

"From the photos, the animal appears to be healthy. Crocodilians only have nails on the inner three toes. If he hasn't eaten for a couple of months, then it is a good possibility he has been housed in cooler conditions than he should have been. Coldness and stress could lead to him refusing food. As far as his size is concerned, if we knew his age it would be more helpful. If he is showing normal aggression, that is at least a good sign. I would just get him warm, give him some time to cool his heals and get comfortable in his new environment. After that, hopefully you should be able to get him to eat something."
-----
Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org