Description:
Scientific name: Dracaena
Life span: 8-12 years
Together with tegus and ameivas, the genus Dracaena, popularly known as caiman lizards or water tegus, belongs to the teiid family. The caiman lizards have a huge, heavyset body and short, but powerful limbs, comparable to their distant relatives the tegus. They have hefty heads that are frequently red or orange in hue. Their strongly muscled jaws make it easier for them to eat their typical prey, which includes freshwater clams, crawfish, and snails. Moreover, they have a few modifications that benefit them in their aquatic environment. They resemble their namesake, the yacare caiman, in that they have long, laterally flattened tails. The caiman lizards’ long tails make it easier for them to dive and swim.
Native Region/Habitat
In South America, caiman lizards can be found in Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Brazil. These semi-aquatic lizards live in marshes, streams, and flooded woods where they spend a lot of time in the water.
Behavior:
Caiman lizards are usually often discovered next to a body of water. They spend a lot of time foraging for their aquatic prey and relaxing in shallow waters (e.g. snails and crawfish). They frequently can be seen soaking up the sun on low-lying branches above the lake. They will descend from these branches and swim away at the first sign of danger. As a pet, they will act in the same ways.
They will spend a lot of time swimming, climbing, and excavating once they are comfortable in their enclosure. It is neither a solitary nor a gregarious species. They get along well with other lizards and even live peacefully alone. Caimans are often not territorial or violent. Yet, this lizard can strike out with a bite, scratch, or tail whip if it feels threatened or afraid.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Adults require an enclosure that is at least 6 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 4 feet tall. Children can live in a 55-gallon terrarium. Their enclosure should have adequate room for a sizable water area as well as both horizontal and vertical climbing space.
When you have a pet caiman lizard, you must duplicate these circumstances. Maintaining the proper temperature and humidity is crucial. A basking area should be maintained at 105°F, while their enclosure should be kept between 80 and 90°F. The ideal humidity range is between 60 and 80%. Spot lights and a ceramic heat emitter can create this temperature gradient. A 14-hour UVA, UVB, and visible daylight light cycle should be provided in their enclosure.
This species needs a diet high in hard-shelled invertebrates when kept in captivity. Freshwater clams, crawfish, and snails provide excellent prey:
- A few small-sized snails should be fed to young caimans from a feeding bowl.
- Little children (1 and 2 years old) can be fed small pieces of prey every day.
- Every few days, adults can be fed a few large-sized prey items.
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