It is the Caiman Lizard is an aquatic reptile that is found in the forests in South America.
Caiman species is unique due to their huge crocodilian-like scales.
Many people are believing that they’re related to crocodilian caimans.
Caiman Lizards really are relatives to Tegus. This is why they are adept on land, in trees , and in the water. Fans can sit for hours watching them climb, swim , and dig.
If you want to keep the species pets, you need to be ready. They require plenty of space, attention and attention.
Continue reading to find out more details about the species. You will also learn about the most common errors in the husbandry process and the best ways to take care of them.
What Is A Caiman Lizard?
Caiman Lizards are a type of reptile belonging to the Dracaena Genus. They are found in the Amazon River Basin in South America. It is typical to find them in nations like Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Ecuador.
There exist three well-known Subspecies Caiman Lizard:
- Northern caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis) The most well-known species for pets.
- Paraguay caiman lizard (Dracaena paraguayensis).
- Dracaena colombiana (now extinct) was discovered in 1961 through fossils discovered in Colombia.
It was first identified by the Spanish in 1802. Its natural habitat covers a large portion in northern South America. Northern subspecies usually be the brightest hues. They sport bright red or orange heads, and bright green bodies that have darker bands. Their bodies can vary from light to muted and their tails can be a soft brown.
Paraguay caimans were first observed in the year 1950. Their natural habitat includes Paraguay as well as Brazil. They are generally less vivid with heads that are grey or tan and bodies.
Northern as well as Paraguayan subspecies share muscles and strong legs. This makes them more adept at digging, swimming and climbing.
Owners will have long hours of enjoyment as they watch their vibrant lizard play in their enclosures and swim. They are very active reptile that uses branches to climb and the water to swim in and the soil to dig.
Caiman Lizards have strong elevated scales that protect them against predators. Their huge scales that resemble crocodilian can lead to people believing that they’re closely related to crocodilian caimans.
Caiman Lizards really are relatives of Tegus. They are even referred to for their water Tegus!
What We Like About Caiman Lizards
Pros
- Their body color ranges from a muted green to bright as well as their faces are bright either orange or red.
- It is not a trait that makes you naturally aggressive.
- They form individual personalities and may develop a connection with their owners.
Cons
- Adults range from two to five feet, so they require an extensive enclosure.
- They require a special diet for aquatic snails.
- Produce huge quantities of garbage.
Species Appearance
Caiman Lizards share a variety of characteristics that are shared by Tegus as do Crocodilian Caimans.
They are an aquatic species with a long tail. The tail that is flattened is extremely robust and allows them move effortlessly through the water. It’s color can vary from brown to black , and it is often capped by yellow stripes.
The species is strong in its legs and bodies that enable them to climb branches with ease.
Northern caiman lizards are brighter colored as compared to Paraguay specie. Their bodies are colored with light and dark green, and their heads are vibrant red or orange. Males are more likely to have larger and more vibrantly colored heads.
Paraguayan people are not as vibrant. They are usually either grey or Tan.
Both species have tongues that are forked and strong jaws filled with short, rounded teeth. Their teeth are ideal to their diet of snails and other shellfish.
Adult Caiman Lizard Size
Caiman Lizards can be among the biggest species of lizard found in the Americas. Fully mature Caiman Lizards weigh between eight to twelve pounds. Females can grow to up to four feet tall, and males are slightly taller at five feet.
The newborn hatchlings are just 5 inches in length but they expand quickly. They could grow to more than two feet after a year.
Being one of the biggest lizards found in the Americas they require a vast enclosure. The task in caring for this species draws a lot of knowledgeable enthusiasts.
Caiman Lizard Care Sheet
Caiman Lizard Diet and Feeding Guide
Caiman Lizards are semi-aquatic carnivores.
In the wild, they hunt under the sea and consume the diet of shellfish, snails as well as hard-shelled vertebrates. There are even reports that they eat Amazon River turtles!
The species is known for its teeth that resemble molars and jaw muscles that enable the crushing of hard shelled insects on the inside of their mouths. They then expel the broken shell , and eat the digestible pieces.
In captivity, the species should be fed an diet consisting of invertebrates with hard shells.
Crawfish, snails as well as freshwater clams excellent prey items.
- Young caimans need to be fed small snails from a bowl of food.
- Children ( 1 and 2 years old) are able to be fed medium-sized portions of prey throughout the day.
- Adults may be fed some large-sized food items each day.
In certain instances, their diet may be supplemented by super-worms, crickets, and tropical fruits (e.g. bananas, mangos and kiwis).
Caiman Lizards also require plenty of water. They use the water to swim and for hydration. A large amount of freshwater that has at least 12 inches is required in the tanks ( more on this in the setup section).
Lifespan & Health Concerns
Caiman Lizards are able to be kept for over 10-years in captivity. Many health issues are preventable with the right management and care for the habitat.
When your reptile is first brought home , you must allow him plenty of time to be alone. This will assist him in learning to adjust to the new surroundings. He’ll spend the initial days on the mountain, savoring on branches, swimming , and digging.
Lethargy is a common occurrence in the first few days. It generally goes away when they get more comfortable with their environment. If the behavior is unresponsive for more than a week, examine the temperature and lighting as well as humidity.
Anorexia may also be a problem with Lizards that haven’t adapted to their new diet or environment.
Caimans that have been adopted may require between three and seven days before they start eating.
Otitis externa and ear ailments are common in this lizard because of their semi-aquatic character. Maintaining a high quality of water through proper cleaning and filtration can be the best way to prevent the possibility of contracting these diseases.
- Eye reddening and itching and only having just one eye, are indications of an eye infection.
- A ringing in the ear or the ear rubbing are symptoms that you have an infection in your ear.
If your lizard suffers from an infection, you’ll need to eliminate the water from their environment in order to allow the wound to heal.
Caiman Lizard Enclosure
The lizard is prevalent throughout across the Amazon River Basin of South America.
They love the lush, wild and humid ecosystems of the swamps, flooded woodlands , and marshes. They perfectly fit their semi-aquatic lifestyles since they are surrounded by waters to swim and hunt in, and also have low-hanging branches that are ideal for relaxing.
You have to follow these rules in the case of keeping pets Caiman Lizard.
It is crucial to keep your temperature at the ideal level and humidity.
The enclosures should be maintained between 80 and 90 degrees F with a an area of basking at 105degF. Humidity should be maintained at 60 to 80 percent.
The temperature gradient is accomplished by using a ceramic emitter as well as spot lights. The enclosure should be equipped with 14-hour light cycles comprising UVA, UVB and visible daylight.
Caiman Lizard Setup
A huge enclosure is essential to keep in mind for Caiman Lizards.
The juveniles can reside in a 55 gallon terrarium. However, adults require an enclosure of minimum 6 feet in length with a width of 3 feet and four feet tall. The enclosure should be large enough to allow for a large surface of water and have the land area as well as an area of vertical space that can be used for climbing.
- Tank type Glass.
- Tank Size: 500-gallon.
- Light: UVA, UVB and visible daylight.
- Substrate mix of mulch from cypress soil substrate, earth substrate and clean sand.
The enclosure they are in should include a large area of water which is at least a foot deep. It should be deep enough to allow your caiman lizards to be completely submerged. The water must be kept clean by an extensive aquarium filter. It must be repeated several times every week.
The design should also contain plenty of land and vertical space to climb. In order to incorporate water and land, you’ll have to divide the enclosure’s floor in half.
When filling the dry part of the enclosure, a substrate mix must be used.
A substrate mix that consists of cypress, earth substrate, and clean sand works ideal as it helps to keep the humidity within 60 percent..
Also, you should have various sturdy branches to climb and for basking. Large cork branches as well as Mopani are great places to bask. Be sure that the branches are secured to ensure they won’t fall when you’re dragging your Lizard.
The destructive ways associated with caiman Lizards (e.g. the digging, climbing and climbing) makes decorating the enclosure difficult. Artificial or hardwood plants are a good option. Plants that live should be avoided.
Every few weeks the enclosure needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
Clean all surfaces of your cage with terrarium cleaner that is safe for herps. wash the removable decorations as well as non-disposable substrate using reptile-safe soap as well as water. Make sure you rinse all surfaces thoroughly with water in order so that you don’t expose your lizard’s caiman to the chemical remnants.
Typical Behavior
Caiman Lizards are usually located close to a water source. They are known to spend a great deal of time in shallow waters , and hunting for aquatic prey (e.g. crabs and snails). It is also common to see them sitting on the branches that hang low above the water. If they see danger, they’ll drop from these branches , and then take off in a swim.
They’ll perform the same actions as pets.
Once they have settled into their enclosures, they’ll spend the majority of their time playing, climbing as well as digging.
This kind of animal is not solitary nor social. They can live happily in solitude and enjoy a peaceful relationship with other reptiles. Caimans aren’t usually hostile or aggressive.
If the animal feels afraid or worried it can attack with a scratch, bite or even a tail whip.
Handling Advice
Caiman Lizards are similar to Bearded Dragons with their relaxed, easygoing nature.
Trusting your pet when they are young is crucial. In order to do this, you must allow your lizard plenty of time to get used to their new surroundings prior to handling.
At first, juveniles might yell at you before running away. When this is stopped, you will be able to handle.
Begin by limiting handling to only a few minutes at the beginning of your. While handling, make sure to be aware of your comfort level so that you don’t stress them . Avoid abrupt or unnatural moves.
Baby Caiman Lizard
This Lizard makes considered to be an exuberant pet.
They are mostly sold by breeders who specialize in reptiles and range from $350-$1,500.
Keep in mind that it is only that the Northern caiman lizard can be offered as pet. Do not buy an animal caught in wild Paraguay person.
When you’re looking for caimans, be sure to look for signs of lethargy or crusting around mouth and eyes as well as any bones that protrude ( especially around the hips). These are all indicators of a lizard that is unhealthy.
Young healthy children will be full of energy. They will huff and shake their tails if you try to control them.
| Caiman Lizard Facts | |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Caiman Lizard, Northern Caiman Lizard, Paraguay Caiman Lizard |
| Scientific Name | Dracaena guianensis, Dracaena paraguayensis, Dracaena colombiana |
| Price | $350-$1,500 |
| Size | 4 . (females) as well as five feet (males) |
| Weight | 8 – 12 pounds (males are heavier) |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Diet | Snails, Shellfish |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10-gallon |
| Humidity & Temperature | Basking: 100 – 105degF Temperature: 80 – 90degF Humidity: 60 – 80% |
| Popular Alternatives | Savannah Monitor, Argentine Tegu, Asian Water Monitor, Rhinoceros Iguana |
Care Guide Summary
It is the Caiman Lizard is an aquatic lizard that is semi-aquatic from the Dracaena Genus.
The subspecies comprise three of this genus. However, it is the sole one that that species called the Northern caiman Lizard is used as an animal.
Keepers love the reptile’s vibrant colors, its unique personality , and a busy nature. Caimans are fond of diving, climbing and swimming.
There’s also plenty of pleasure in the care for this particular species. However, Caiman Lizards should only be handled by knowledgeable reptile keepers.
The complex tank setup they have requires water and dry areas. This is a huge commitment, even for experienced keepers. The purchase and maintenance of these items will also cost thousands of dollars. Prepare yourself for a lot of work!
If you’re contemplating going after this lizard, then inform us via the comment section.
