Caiman lizards, also known as Water Tegus, are large-sized semiaquatic lizards, native to South America.
Recently, these lizards gained enough popularity among reptile lovers due to their innocent appearances.
But are Caiman lizards really suitable pets for first-time owners? Let’s find the answers by considering a few facts that will help you understand if you can buy a Water Tegus for yourself.
Are Caiman Lizards Suitable Pets For The First-Time Owners?
Caiman lizards can be amazing pets, but they can also be a headache for any reptile owner if he/she is not aware of the lizard’s temperament, physical structure, natural habitat, and diet.
In short, if you are preparing to have a Caiman lizard as a pet, you must know everything about it; otherwise, you will not properly care for this sensitive lizard.
Habitat:
Being semiaquatic animals like Sailfin lizards, Caiman lizards prefer to live in shallow freshwater resources, marshes, swamps, and flooded forests.
The habitat range for water tegus is pretty extensive. These lizards are found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. In Paraguay, you may find another variety of Caiman lizards but they prefer to live in a drier environment.
Video Credit: thereptilezoo
Temperament:
Caiman lizards are not probably among the calmest and most docile lizards but when you compare them with other large lizards, they are probably more gentle.
Their temperament depends on how they are raised and treated from a young age. If they are socialized and handled regularly from a young age, the lizards become more tame and gentle.
Captive breeding of Caiman lizards is very rare; most of the lizards you find in the pet market are illegally wild-caught.
A wild-caught lizard often shows a defensive approach when you first touch or handle them. But regular handling makes the tegus tame and non-aggressive.
However, it is also important to remember Caiman lizards are not really cuddly. Hence, you may not feel an emotional bond with your pet lizard that you may feel with your dogs or rabbits.
Additionally, these lizards are more comfortable in their natural habitat. If you plan to adopt them, then you need to create their natural habitats in your home which might be costly.
Size:
Caiman lizards are large lizards like Tegus, with stout bodies and short but powerful limbs. Their heads are bulky with red or orange colouration. Their strong jaws help them to crush snails, crawfish, and other small invertebrates.
These lizards have long, laterally flattened tails that help them to swim and dive into the water whenever they are threatened. Their third eyelid works as sunglass underwater.
The colour of Norther Caiman lizards is similar to crocodiles- bright green with slight dark green banding. However, the Paraguayan caiman lizards are drabber, with grey bodies and heads.
Being large lizards, Caiman lizards can grow up to 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) in length and weigh around 8-12 lbs (3.6-5.4 kgs).
Poisonous:
No, Caiman lizards are not poisonous to humans or other animals. However, they have strong jaws that can cause injury to anyone including humans.
The bite force of water tegus is around 250-300 psi which is very similar to the bite force of a German Shepherd. Their bites not only cause many stitches but also can tear your finger off.
Diet:
Caiman lizards are strictly carnivorous similar to Panther Chameleons. Lizards kept in zoos mostly fed on snails but also they love Crawfish, freshwater clams, and smaller Amazon river turtles.
Caiman lizards live in captivity, also consume various fishes, cat foods, and crustaceans.
Legal Issues:
Based on your location, you must check if it is allowed to keep these lizards as pets. In many states and countries, Caiman lizards are considered an invasive species due to their large size and their impact on nature.
Also Read: Jesus Christ Lizards (Basilisk): Can You Keep Them As Pets?
Lifespan:
It is unknown how long Caiman lizards live in the wild. However according to reports, in captivity, these lizards can live up to 8-12 years.
Other Issues:
As Caiman lizards usually don’t breed in captivity or for sale, most of the lizards you may find are wild-caught and full of health issues. Also, they are very costly despite being illegally caught.
These lizards are so big that you may not fit them inside a cage or enclosure. Hence, for first-time owners and households, Caiman lizards are unsuitable pets due to their large size and limited diet options.
Additionally, water tegus are arboreal, aquatic and burrowing species. Hence, you cannot recreate their natural environment inside any enclosure or cage at home. You may require an entire room to recreate their natural habitat. Hence, Caiman lizards are suitable pets only for zoos and professional reptile owners.
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