Caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis)

Short answers

Caiman lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Very large; at least 250×120×180 cm (semi-aquatic: a large, heated water basin at least 30 cm deep at ~26 °C covering a third to half of the floor).

Caiman lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–32 °C, basking spot 48–55 °C (basking surface ~50–54 °C), at night 24–26 °C.

Caiman lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Caiman lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15+ years.

Caiman lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–32 °C

Night temperature

24–26 °C

Basking spot

48–55 °C (basking surface ~50–54 °C)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

Very large; at least 250×120×180 cm (semi-aquatic: a large, heated water basin at least 30 cm deep at ~26 °C covering a third to half of the floor)

Substrate

Moisture-retaining substrate (cypress mulch or coco humus) on the land section, a large deep heated water basin (~26 °C), places to climb

Feeding

Food

Water snails (the main food, apple snails for example), mussels and crustaceans; occasionally prawns and earthworms; sometimes fruit

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

~90–120 cm (up to ~150 cm) total length

Life expectancy

10–15+ years

Origin

Northern South America (the Amazon) – semi-aquatic in flooded forest and swamps

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B

Brumation

None (tropical, warm and humid all year)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; territorial and solitary, and males are never kept together. House them together only in very large facilities and with care.

Notes

A specialist feeding on hard-shelled snails and mussels (molars for cracking them) – the wrong diet is a common keeping mistake. A large heated swimming basin and good water quality and filtration are essential. A demanding, semi-aquatic species.

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Related species

• Paraguay caiman lizard (Dracaena paraguayensis) – Expert
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• Golden tegu (Tupinambis cryptus) – Intermediate
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• Crocodile tegu (Crocodilurus amazonicus) – Expert
• Yellow-spotted dwarf tegu (Callopistes flavipunctatus) – Intermediate

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What you need to start

To keep Caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (Very large; at least 250×120×180 cm (semi-aquatic: a large, heated water basin at least 30 cm deep at ~26 °C covering a third to half of the floor)), substrate (Moisture-retaining substrate (cypress mulch or coco humus) on the land section, a large deep heated water basin (~26 °C), places to climb), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.