Dwarf Caimen

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coura;3054640; said:
"Insult":grinno: Man we are trying to help you ;) You see far too many caimans and other crocodilians including dwarfs endup dumped, neglected ,hill and dead because their owners dint know what they were getting themselfes into, all we wanted and Im shure I speak for all of us is that you fully undestud what you can expect from such a "pet" in terms of danger, responsability and costs. The fact that its a dwarf gives you more manuver space but not much. A grown dwarf its still a hand full with a mouth full of teeth and brute force. However if you fell that you can provide it with its life time needs and have a genuine love and passion for this animal (hope that your not getting it because it looks "cool" or another superfical reason like so many do:() then go for it. I already gave to you one of the best online caresheets, its a great starting point;)
:iagree:
 
Lepisosteus platyrhincus;3054231; said:
ok guys
i am not buying a caiman. im buying a dwarf caiman. and i did not buy one. i did find one but i dont have my enclosure ready. again i am not buying a gator, not buying a nile croc, not a large caiman but a dwarf. yes it still gets some size but its not gonna get monsturous.


Just to make sure, you do undestand the DWARF caiman still get rather big for a private herp keeper right? Don't let the name fool you. I've have them before. They can be a handful even for an experienced croc keeper.
 
If youve ever moved even a 3ft dwarf caiman,you will think twice.Incredibly fast and aggressive when they want to be.The way they side-swipe you with their heads is so quick.Put it this way,id rather take on a 6ft gator,than a 3ft caiman.Id suggest you find someone that keeps them,and try and get some hands on experience.Good luck anyway:)
 
Thank you all and i will keep researching. i know its gonna be quite a handfull but i cant wait. I know it will get some size and have quite the attitude. If i decide on something then i work my butt of untill i can get it and care for it. Im a professional firefighter and i work 24hours and am off 72 hours. i have plenty of time to work with it. When i get one i will properlly care for it and love it.
 
Lepisosteus platyrhincus;3055019; said:
thank you guys, i appreciate it. I do realise you guys want to help. trust me when i get one(and i am) i will provide the best care a possibly can afford. I plan on build a nice enclosure when i build my fish room. I will never and i mean NEVER dump any animal I have taken on the responcibility to raise and care for. I do thank you for yall's help.


Um...That is great, I am glad you are saying this. However, can you afford thousands? If you can only afford $300, that care isn't going to be too hot. (Don't comment on the $300 part, that was just an arbitrary number.)
 
yes i can afford to care for it properly. ive been checking.
gotta love family that will be willing to help you and family that has access to alot of supplies.
Again I am gonna try my best to do a damn good job of raising one of these monsters. This has always been a dream animal and now i can afford it and have the time. I WILL do a good job and will properly care for this animal.
 
well have you done the math yet?

to build a strong and reliable enclosure or a 4 foot specimen, This is my estimate
no way this is accurate.

8x4x4 enclosure - $300
Pond liner, one that wont get ripped by sharp claws - $200-300
heat lamps and lights to imatate the sun - $400-500
heater for the water also - $150-300
so i would say to house it it would run roughly 1000 for life.

Dont forget to add the cost of keeping and feeding it.
 
i know. enclosure will be larger. pond liner wont have to run entire enclosure. heat lamps will only be part of the time. rest will be from the larger amount of windows that will be around the tank. not sure about needing the water too heated. cant wait to start on the enclosure. probably gonna wait awhile to build it.
and you size is close.
then you got my pond build.......
god i love my hobby
 
ming im gonna disagree with you on a albino being 5digits and go more on the 6 digit side....
 
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