Caiman Lizard Care Sheet!

Caiman Lizards are one of the most stunning lizards native to the Americas! They are also one of the most tricky to take care of.

Nonetheless, people are finding new to give these gorgeous lizards the best care possible!

Let's discuss the basic care for these absolute beauties!

Heating

These are tropical lizards hailing from South America.

Thus, they prefer warmer temperatures. Ensure they can have a basking spot that is at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooler side of the enclosure should be at least 80 degrees, and nighttime temps should not fall below 75 degrees.

They should have access to UVA and UVB lighting as well.

Enclosure

This is where keeping a Caiman Lizard can be tricky, and expensive.

A fully adult Caiman Lizard should have a six-foot by three-foot wide, and four-foot tall enclosure, with a sizeable water area for swimming and plenty of vertical space for climbing.

On the land area, place a hideout spot for them to hide. It is also best to place branches in the enclosure for them to climb onto.

The water area should be at least 20 inches deep for the lizard to practice natural swimming behavior. This water should be no colder than 75 and no hotter than 80 degrees. A robust filter will be necessary to clean out the water as these animals are messy.

Feeding

The main food source for these lizards in the wild is aquatic snails, and cans of these creatures can be found in reptile stores and online.

Other foods, such as shrimp, worms, and even some fruits like kiwi can be given in moderation.

Adults should be fed every other day, while juveniles should be fed daily.

A calcium/vitamin powder should be dusted onto the food twice a week.

Never feed your pets wild bugs, as most of them have parasites! Always supervise feedings.

Handling

When it comes to handling, if you want a lizard you can hold regularly, then this may not be the lizard for you.

Caiman lizards are known for their bad tempers, and only captive-bred individuals have been shown to tolerate handling.

Bare hand handling is not recommended as they have a habit of biting, instead, always wear protection.

Always do your research. These are not easy lizards to care for, and one misstep may cost the lizard's life!