Dwarf Caiman: Not Endangered Yet

Dwarf caimans, Paleosuchus palepebrosus, are semi aquatic reptiles which are natives in Central and South America

. In South, they are commonly found in the basin of the Amazon river. They are not that big though with an average size of 5 ft for the males and 4 ft for the females. These nocturnal dwarf caymans, with their small size made them popular in the pet trade.

As for appearance, they are color black with blank banding when they're still juveniles while the adults are darker in color with heads to be lighter brown. They have unique head formation which is short and smooth. Their upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw. Their skin is said to be bad in quality compared to the other genus in the Crocodylidae family. They are well-covered with scales from back to belly serving as protection. Their upturned curl snouts made them popular and distinctive from other type of crocodilians. Their skull formation suggests that they really used their heads in burrowing for shelter.

With their popularity in the pet trade, you may need some basic necessities of them if you are planning to buy some. Well, dwarf caimans can live in both pair or singly. First on the list of things you must provide is the housing. Hatchlings can be housed in a 10 or 20 gallon tank. When they reach adulthood, you must provide an enclosure which is big enough for your pet to do its natural exercise. A 55 or 100 gallon aquarium will best do for them. When in captive, they like to have a dim lighting and shade. With their habitat, there should be a basking area. A simple rock, driftwoods and plants will also do. Day light bulb must be used during the day while heating light bulbs during the night. If you are not confident in using light bulbs, you may also use ceramic heater as a primary heat source. Basking temperature must be 90-95F. For cleanliness purposes also, you should change the water regularly to avoid diseases.

As for their food, they are carnivorous and eat anything from any invertebrates like fishes, to crustaceans, mollusks and crabs. Though in captivity, they can be fed with pinkies, crickets, and other insects. Feeder fish is also a must though if you keep giving them goldfish as the only feeder fish,they may have lack of vitamin E to excrete from the goldfish so another variety of feeder fish is a must. From then, you may also add some calcium and multivitamin supplement sprinkled to their foods. The hatchlings must be fed every day while the semi-adults, every 2 or 3 days. With their breeding, once a mating was successfully done, the female will then lay eggs and wait for about 90 days before the eggs will hatch.

Though they are not in the list for endangered species, still they have the rights to be treated well by their owners. Ensure regular banding with your pet so that you can gained an unusual friendship.

by: Ari Flagle

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