Lizards
Caiman lizard care guide
Dracaena guianensis
A semi-aquatic snail specialist. Advanced: needs a big heated pool and branches over water.
Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Caiman lizard enclosure size
Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing. An adult caiman lizard should live in at least 96" L × 48" W × 48" H; we build toward 120" L × 48" W × 72" H (10 × 4 × 6 ft, roughly 40 sq ft of floor and about a 1795-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 120" L × 48" W × 72" H recommended · min 96" L × 48" W × 48" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 95–100°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–90°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 78–82°F
- Night
- No lower than 75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 70–90%. Large heated pool and misting.
Substrate and depth
Soil/cypress mix. Depth: 4–6 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- Deep enough to swim fully — at least body length
- Filtration
- Canister filter rated 2–3x the water volume
- Basking dock
- Branches over the water under the basking lamp
Diet and feeding
Snails (canned or live) plus crayfish, fish and occasional rodents; dust with calcium.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Caiman lizard FAQ
How big should an adult Caiman lizard enclosure be?
At least 96" L × 48" W × 48" H, and we recommend building to 120" L × 48" W × 72" H — about 10 × 4 × 6 ft, or a 1795-gallon glass equivalent. Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing.
What temperatures does a Caiman lizard need?
Basking or warm surface 95–100°F basking spot, warm side 85–90°F, cool side 78–82°F, night No lower than 75°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Caiman lizard need UVB?
Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Caiman lizard need?
70–90%. Large heated pool and misting.
What substrate is best for a Caiman lizard?
Soil/cypress mix, at a depth of 4–6 in.
How big does a Caiman lizard enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own caiman lizard record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.