Canadain crocodilian keepers...

[Nikki Gervais]

For Canadians who keep crocodilians, where all did you purchase yours from? I've been thinking of getting some from the US later but haven't decided yet. What is your opinion?

[crochunter]

I got my spectacled caiman from PCPC in mississauga. I'm sure if you give them a call they probably have some. When I got mine they had a couple of different species.
Hope this helps

[jason h]

i too got mine from pcpc as did Dom but if you look around youll find them here without having to bring it from the states a good place to look is the reptile rescue classifieds ive seen them there on numerous occassions.

[Dom]

Lol We all got them from the same place!

Croc Hunter .. You'll have to show me your babies some days seing that were in the same city!

(Ottawa ppl are a rare breed!)

Nikki, I am sure you weighed all the pros and cons of having a croc but in case you have not , make sure to research what you are really getting into ..

Take care..

Dom

[jason h]

ya dom nickys been researching a long time ive seen nicky in the croc forums over at that other(eww dirty word) sight months ago and askin many of the same type of questions thats why i didnt start to break into my lecture LOL!!

[Nikki Gervais]

LOL!! Ah someone spotted me in the other dimension!!! Oh well, I found out what I wanted to know, however most of my information I researched and discovered on my own. I know I am ready for a crocodilian I just cannot decide which species I want!!!

I haven't seen many offered in Canada, I have seen em numerous times on PCPC's website and I saw Henry Piorun had them once, but I wasn't ready to get one then. I also saw that Reptile Rescue had one once and I tried to get it but I had no way of picking it up.

Anyways thanks everyone for your responses, and thanks Dom for your concern.

[Dom]

Go for a Cuviers or a shneiders!

[Nikki Gervais]

LOL, Dom I love the cuviers and the shneiders but I also love the spectacled caimen and my favourite is the american alligator. I am also into the african dwarf crocodiles. They are all so cute and definately fascinating creatures.

I think I will probably get an american alligator and a spectacled caiman. I would love to have one of each. If all goes well with those two and I have the means for more, I would love to get some cuviers and shneiders. What can I say, I just love em all!

[Dom]

I think smaller the better here .. American gators make HONESTLY the best pet crocodilian for temperment but not for size .. Its hard to know if u can hou e a 65 foot croc. Now can you house a 12 cro .. hmm .. I personally hope u dont' get a gator .. cause i seriously doubt You will be able to house him in 10 years when its 10 + feet .. u do know males can weight up to 2 tons.. and 15+ as full grown ..

I don't want to give u a lecture but more discourage the gator and try to get u to go towars a smaller specie of crocs or caimen..

I know u probably know all of this but I again seriously doubt u can care for an adult gator .. Honestly .. practically nobody here can....

I know I couldn't.

Again I am not lecturing u but simply giving u my advise .. i know u know this.

let me know your descision..

Dom

[Nikki Gervais]

Hey Dom,
I don't really know what I'll get, I know that american alligators get huge, and that if you're concerned with housing them later in life, a gator is not the best choice. However I feel that I could properly house an american alligator when it reaches 8+ ft so they will probably be my first choice.

However, in all the research I have done I have never read of an alligator over 1000 lbs, let alone 4000 lbs (2 tons). I have read that typical weights for gators is between 250 - 600 lbs. I also read that the current world record for an indo-pacific crocodile is 2,200 lbs. So I find it hard to believe that an alligator which is quite small when compared to a salty could weigh in at over 4000 lbs.
As for a 15+ ft gator, I would love to see one, I have read they are typically 8 - 13.5 ft with reports of larger 15+ ft individuals.

Now since I don't have any hands on experience with crocodilians yet, I can only go by what I have read and been told by experienced individuals.

Here's a small list of some of the references I have used to gain this knowledge:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_amis.htm
http://www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/American_Alligator.asp
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/alligator.html
http://www.crocodilian.com/crocfaq/
http://www.crocodilian.com/crocfaq/faq-2.html

- National Audubon Society Field Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians Of North America
- General Care & Maintenance Of Alligators, Caiman, And Other Crocodilians by Dan Malone and Theresa Moran
- Alligators & Crocodiles - A Portrait Of The Animal World by Leonard Lee Rue III
- Reptiles & Amphibians - An Explore Your World Handbook - Discovery Books

Since you have hands on experience with crocodilians I would love to continue this discusion. Let me know your opinions and such.

[Dom]

lol

Hello,

I think I made a mathematical mistake.. 1 ton is equall to 1000 kg not 1000lbs.. Sorry My mistake!

I said it can reach two tons If ton = 1000lbs .. lol sorry I am laughing at myself! ..
You are completly right, they don't ussually achieve such sizes but it does not mean they won't.

They largest american alligator was a little ofver 16 ft and weighed over 2000 lbs - it is possible. I am not sure where he came from but I know he is still alive and is perfectly tame (wich does not surprise me). It could of been at Drumheller .. not really sure where .. i'll check it out.

If you'd get one, i know I would be dead jealous cause they make amazing animals to work with .

Best of luck to you
Dom

[Nikki Gervais]

Hey Dom,
Just thought I'd let you know, a ton is 2000 lbs LOL and if you could find out where this huge alligator is, I would love to read up about it! An american alligator that massive would be an impressive beast for sure! Have you seen this gator online or maybe in a magazine? I am really interested in researching it. Let me know if you find anything on it.

[crochunter]

Just wondering about how big will my Shneiders caiman get I know it won't be quite as big as my spectacled....by the way it is a male.....I'm guessing at around 6 to 7 feet would I be in the right ballpark?.....I too would love to get an american alligator but room is the big issue... maybe when I convert my entire basement to house my herps....I also think the African dwark crocs are beauts.

[jason h]

your snieders should get in the5-6 ft range for a male but that is a large specimen usually 5 feets a good estimate i too would loovbe the gator but untill i move and can build greenhouses with ponds(which wont be any time soon) ill have to stick with the spec.

[Nikki Gervais]

HI there, I haven't done too much research on Shneiders dwarf caiman but since I gaze at my croc book all the time I have it sitting right here LOL.

It says:
"Schneider's Dwarf Caiman - Paleosuchus Trigonatus
A large male schneider's caiman may reach up to 1.7 meters (5 1/2 feet) in length while a large female may measure 1.4 meters (4 1/2 feet)."

I don't know much bout em (I'm studying them currently) but this book has not been erroneous in other information I have got from it.

Hope this helps