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Posted by Rob Carmichael on March 10, 2003 at 07:12:11:
In Reply to: DWARF CAIMEN CAGE SIZE AND INFO posted by ballpython5000 on March 09, 2003 at 13:15:21:
Don't let the word "dwarf" fool you...at a full grown adult size of 4-5', these are animals that can (and will) do serious damage. They are VERY QUICK to bite but will tolerate human interaction (that is, they will come to know their owners very well and will sit like a dog in their water come feeding time). They are difficult to handle due to their lightning fast "side swipes". But, with this being said, I find them to be fascinating animals to observe. As far as cage size, like the other person said, something in the area of 10' x 10' should suffice. May seem like a big area, but these are not animals that just lay in one place like a large python. They swim, cruise, spend time on the land, and are active foragers. We keep water temps in the mid 70's (though it fluctuates depending on where the caiman is in his enclosure...water temps may vary between the low to mid 70's to the upper 70's and 80). Water is heated with a titanium heater. We heat the enclosure (air temp) with a power sun bulb to provide daylight along with a couple of ceramic heating elements to boost ambient temps at night so that they are approx. 76-85 deg F. (night temps drop to the low to mid 70's but they always have a basking area that reaches 86-88 deg F.). Water is kept aerated and filtered with submersible filters that are directed in a way to create a fast moving "stream" in certain parts of the enclosure and "still" water in others. We have observed our caimans lying right in the fast moving "stream". We scoop feces/particulates out daily with a net and rinse the filter cartridges out twice a week, partial water changes every two days and complete changes every 2-3 weeks. There is a large land area with multiple hide areas (cork bark works great) and a larger water area. We feed our dwarfs: minnows/catfish chunks, freshwater shrimp, crayfish, small rodents, and quail. Feeding schedules are dictated by willingness to feed (and overall appearance). Hope this helps.
:hey i have been doing some research on drwarf caimens. they are very interesting creatures. but i have run into a lack of info on them. please answer these questions......
:what is the average size of a dwarf caimen, or even a regular one?
:what is a good cage size for a dwarf?
:and if you have any caresheets please post them.
:pics are appreciated. thanks in advance
