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Dwarf Caiman: Found In The Amazon River

by AriFlagle

Dwarf caimans with the scientific name of Paleosuchus palepebrosus, aare natives in central and South America. Amazon river is their main habitat for the ones living in the south. They are not actually that big type having an average size of 5 ft for the males and 4 ft for the females. They are popular in the pet trade because of their small size.

Their color is mainly black with blank bands while they're still juveniles and the adults tend to be more darker with heads to be lighter brown. Their head is very smooth and is in unique formation. The upper jaw overlaps the lower jaw. Though the skin is in not that good in quality compared to the other genus in the Crocodylidae family. They are well-covered with scales from back to belly serving as protection. They have upturned curl snout which made them to be distinctive from the other corcodilians. Their skull formation also implies that they use their head in burrowing.

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 the food, they are best fed with fishes, crustaceans, mollusks and crabs since they are carnivorous. However 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. Clacium and multivitamin supplement must be sprinkled in their foods also. 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 can lay eggs and wait for about 90 days before the eggs will hatch.

They may not be considered endangered as of the moment since there are great large of them in the world. Yet, just make sure that you handle your pet properly to gain great friendship.

About the Author: Frank Cole

Dwarf Caiman are a good pet for someone looking for something real exotic. Thanks for reading my article Ari Flagle

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Dwarf Caiman: Found In The Amazon River