Building my Schneider's Dwarf Caiman's new pond.mp4

A short video of the construction of the new pond in my Dwarf Caiman's enclosure. You'll also see the heated flooring that goes under his "burrow" under an artificial log made from a cement mold and some bark off of a dead tree.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• caiman
• dwarf caiman
• Dwarf Caiman
• Schneider's Dwarf Caiman

[lauraccoxable]

This may be a silly question, but I just rescued a caiman from a man who had him (or her...she's only 13" so who knows right now!) in terrible conditions. She's hanging out in a 125 gallon tank I had until I can build her a new enclosure. I live in North Carolina where it can freeze over in the winter so my initial plan was to build a 12' by 12' enclosure in my basement or garage but you have inspired me to want to build something larger. Given my weather conditions is it possible? Thanks!

[RussellAllen55]

@lauraccoxable First, let me say Thank You for rescuing the caiman! Do you know what kind it is? The common ones sold for pets are Spectacled Caiman which gets pretty big, (8-10ft. or more), and the two Dwarf Caimans, (Paleosuchus palpebrosis the Cuvier's[4-5ft.] and P. trigonatus the Schneider's[4-6 1/2ft.]). You can go on line and find some good info on these and other species. I would say a 125 gal will work for a 13"er for a year or so. 12'x12' is a good size for later on.

[lauraccoxable]

@RussellAllen55 The guy said she is a Culvier's but I cant be positive since he also had the poor little girl in a 29 gallon tank and was feeding crickets. She is mean as can be though, which, from what I read is actually a good sign. I will plan on a 12' by 12' and probably inside since the weather is my main concern. She had her first meal of mouse tonight and gobbled it down like it was the best thing in the world!

[RussellAllen55]

@lauraccoxable I'm really glad she is eating so well. If it is indeed a Cuviers, a 12'x12' will be good for a most/all of her life unless you plan to breed her. Then a larger enclosure would be better. Remember the Dwarfs like a lot more "dry land" than other Crocs. i would recommend a 50-50 split. Even a 40% water and 60% land would be good.

I'm in the process of building the final, (I hope), habitat for my boy. It will have a nice 12 ft. x 10 ft. pond and about twice as much "land".

[RussellAllen55]

To everyone that has replied to this video I want to say thank you.

Several of you have asked if I am building a new and larger enclosure because it has been over a year since this video was shot. The answer is yes.

I am going to enclose and re-purpous  a backyard pond and waterfall I built in the early '90's. I plan on using the natual gas heater and pump from our old hot tub to heat the pond in the winter, (if I can set the thermostat low enough). The pond is approx. 12 ft. by 10 ft.

[cmelone4]

very nice..makes me want to build something new for my baby american alligator..love the pond

[RussellAllen55]

@cmelone4 Thanks. Alligators get much bigger than my caiman(duh) so plan on building a succession of larger and larger enclosures until you get to the point of building a very large permanent enclosure.  I'm doing that now and it wont be cheap! I hope you have the money! :)

[landofthefreemyass]

Well done. Thats how you take care of a caiman.

[bigboismalls]

is he full grown at that size?

[BoolaBlue]

As a fellow Croc-O-Phile, I just wanted to stop by and say what a pleasure it is to watch your vids and see how well Jackson is cared for. You are an example to the community, sir, and I salute you. I dont currently own any crocodilians, but I have worked with them for years and cant say how many I have seen in poor enclosures with sub-par husbandry. Kudos!

[tigerelsker]

i have to say thats really good made ^_^ better then must of the caiman cage you see out here ^_^ want to see a good made cage the petting zoo i work i have then chek out my videos

[brandonashplant]

hey dude I am not sure you remember me but I am on the second page on your comments page for this video I said ''AWESOME!!! how big does he get though?''

and I was just typing in on you tube pet alligator and caiman's and also pet crocodiles! and I came by this old video and thought I would comment for a second time saying it is still AWESOME!!!! and have you made a new enclosure by now because it must have out grown this one by now! anyway nice vid Dude and bye! and I have liked and faved it!