Caiman Lizards

[Kuamata]

So, I'm looking to find a good, reputable breeder to get a caiman lizard from, but first and foremost, I want to make sure the set up I have in mind will be suitable.

I know they are hard to keep in captivity(maybe if I'm lucky I'll start a CBB program :) ) and knowledge on them is limited, but I've always had an admiration for them and would love to house one.

I was thinking a A35 enclosure from Animal Plastics( Animal Plastics A35 Arboreal Cage (http://www.apcages.com/home/arboreal/a35.htm) ) would be a good start for enclosure size? 6ft long, 2ft wide, 4ft high. Was thinking on paying extra for a few things, like locking doors, heat shroud, UVB fixture, etc.

Would have a Powersun or Reptisun bulb for UVB/UVA and full spectrum. Was also thinking a Reptituff light and a Moonlite, all Zoomed brand. 1/3 or 1/2 of the tank would be water high enough to full submerge, possibly with a water heater(depends how the water temp does under light fixtures). Cypress mulch deep enough to burrow. Some natural, hardy plantation to aid in humidity. A fogger for humidity. Some secured branches for climbing, especially over the water.

Hot side ambient ~87F, cool side ambient ~79F, no lower than 75F at all times. Humidity roughly 60-80%.

Sound good? Anyone got anything to add? Any tips? Yes, I have had large lizard experience, just so you all know. Had a tegu I kept for about 6 years, was an adoption, got her at 8 yrs old. She was awesome <3

[Kuamata]

Annnnyone got any kind of experience around here? As an update, while the one I'm getting is accustomed to canned snails, part of me feels that feeding canned snails isn't as healthy as fresh killed snails... I may be wrong, but... I've decided to breed them for my new lil' one.

[Tsubaki]

Don't have any knowledge or experience with the lizards, but i do think fresh snails are healthier than canned ones. Snails are really easy to breed, just don't forget to give them a piece of calcium.

[SnoopySnake]

Ben Siegels got 2 up on his facebook page for $1000 each, think they're imports though.

[marvelfreak]

On Cage size it would work for awhile. Being they can get up to four feet someday you'll want a much bigger cage.

[Sublimeballs]

The cage is too thin to warrant the price. You'll only be able to keep the lizard in the until its about 2-2.5 feet. 6x3 is BARE MINIMUM for a 3 footer and 8x4 for a 4 footer. These lizards grow fast and this cage could only last you a few months. And it wouldn't be able to hold the amout of dirt required to keep the animal properly(2 feet or so).

Really do your research on this animal, these are not an animal to be take lightly. its a hige responsibility. the tegu community is behind compared to the varanid community as far as advances in hisbandry; but are moving to the same standards for husbandry requirements.

What kind of basking temps are you planning on running?

[Kuamata]

Oh I did forget to put the basking temps, sorry. Maybe 133F. I'd have to keep an eye on the fella to see if it needs to be cooler or warmer.

As for cage, I'll see if I can't work out a custom with them. I've been looking at the care sheet on tegutalk and they recommend 8ft long, 4ft wide, and 5ft tall. :/ If they won't work out a custom then I'l look for someone that will.

PS: I won one from Ben at 386 plus shipping. Already on canned worms, 11 inches long. If it doesn't take fresh killed at first, then I'll feed canned and gradually introduce fresh.

[Mad Max]

They're pretty neat, we have one where I work. He's docile and really colorful. I love his scale pattern too.

I think the biologists keep his basking spot around 100 degrees at most during summer, but I'm not certain about that. His enclosure is around 15ft high and he spends 90% of his time at the very top of it, right over a waterfall. I think I've seen him eating fish before, but they try to feed the reptiles outside of public business hours to avoid upsetting people and I'm usually back in the office around that time.

[Kuamata]

They're pretty neat, we have one where I work. He's docile and really colorful. I love his scale pattern too.

I think the biologists keep his basking spot around 100 degrees at most during summer, but I'm not certain about that. His enclosure is around 15ft high and he spends 90% of his time at the very top of it, right over a waterfall. I think I've seen him eating fish before, but they try to feed the reptiles outside of public business hours to avoid upsetting people and I'm usually back in the office around that time.

Oh wow :) That sounds amazing and a real treat to see. <3 From what I've read, which information about their husbandry is limited as they're not too terribly common, they really love water, and they really love to climb, so a nice pool to swim and submerge in, and a lot of climbing space is a must, and any kind of climbing objects, plants, etc definitely need to be anchored for their own safety or the safety of the plant life, as they do also burrow. I'm not too terribly handy, so things like installing a working waterfall eludes me, but boy would I love it! Not only would my new gem be a stunner to observe and study(and interact with once it's acclimated), but the enclosure would be easy on the eyes, too! I always try to achieve a naturalistic look with my enclosures. If only I were handy, oh the things I could do... I'd probably make a killing taking things from my mind and putting it into enclosures.

When I envision a nice, naturalistic enclosure, I envision something like these customs, made by J Worlds. I wish I had to know how to create these true beauties.

http://www.jworlds.net/PaceSnakeBurm750.jpg