Los mejores cocodrilos domésticos: Una guía para dueños expertos de reptiles

Crocodilians are fascinating and ancient predators that have captured the imagination of people for millennia. Si bien no es adecuado para la mayoría de los dueños de mascotas, some passionate and experienced reptile enthusiasts may consider keeping a crocodilian as a pet, and there even are some (extremely rare) occurrences of crocodilians who display docile behavior as human companions.

Crocodilians are members of the order Crocodilia, which includes three families: caimanes (caimanes y caimanes), crocodylidae (cocodrilos), y Gavialidae (gharials). While all crocodilians share many similarities in terms of anatomy and behavior, there are some important differences between them that may affect their suitability as pets.

The following species are commonly kept as pets by experienced reptile owners who have obtained the necessary permits and follow strict safety protocols:

List of Pet Crocodilians

1. cocodrilo americano (cocodrilo de mississippi)

The American alligator is the largest species of alligator, and one of the largest species of crocodilian in the world. They require a large enclosure, typically at least 10 feet wide and 20 un pie de largo, with access to both water and land. The enclosure must be secure, as these animals are powerful and can easily escape.

American alligators require a specialized diet, consisting of a variety of foods including whole prey items such as rabbits, ratas, y pescado. They also require careful handling, as they can become aggressive if they feel threatened.

While American alligators are relatively docile compared to some other crocodilians, they are still dangerous animals and should only be kept by experienced and knowledgeable reptile owners. They can be trained to recognize their owners, but they should never be trusted completely. Due to their size and specialized care requirements, American alligators are also one of the most expensive crocodilian species to keep as pets.

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2. caimán de anteojos (cocodrilo caimán)

Spectacled caimans are a smaller species of caiman, usually reaching lengths of less than 7 pies. They are native to Central and South America, and are popular among reptile owners due to their manageable size and relatively calm temperament.

Spectacled caimans require a secure enclosure with access to both water and land, but they do not require as much space as some other crocodilian species. They also have a more varied diet, including both plant and animal matter, although they still require whole prey items such as fish and rodents.

Spectacled caimans can become aggressive if not handled properly, but they are generally less dangerous than some other crocodilian species. They are also less expensive to keep as pets than American alligators, due to their smaller size and less specialized care requirements.

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3. caimán enano (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)

The dwarf caiman of Cuvier’s dwarf caiman is the smallest species of crocodilian, with adults reaching only 4-5 pies de largo. They are native to South America and are known for their compact size, attractive appearance, and relatively manageable temperament.

Dwarf caimans can be kept in smaller enclosures than other crocodilians, but they still require a secure enclosure with access to both water and land. They also require a specialized diet, consisting of a variety of foods including whole prey items such as fish and rodents.

Dwarf caimans are less dangerous than larger crocodilian species, but they can still be dangerous if not treated with respect. They are also less expensive to keep as pets than larger crocodilian species, due to their smaller size and less specialized care requirements. Sin embargo, they still require careful handling and specialized care, and should only be kept by experienced reptile owners.

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4. Morelet’s Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)

Morelet’s crocodile is a medium-sized species of crocodilian, usually reaching lengths of 8-10 pies. They are native to Central America and are known for their shy and timid nature, although larger individuals can pose a danger to humans.

Morelet’s crocodiles require a secure enclosure with access to both water and land, but they do not require as much space as some other crocodilian species. They have a specialized diet, consisting of a variety of foods including whole prey items such as fish, aves, y pequeños mamíferos.

Morelet’s crocodiles are generally less dangerous than some other crocodilian species, but they can still be dangerous if not treated with respect. They are primarily active at night and spend the day basking in the sun. Juveniles will communicate through vocalization, and their calls differ according to age, sex, and the situation. They should only be kept by experienced reptile owners who can provide the specialized care they require.

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Keeping Crocodilians as Pets

Among the three species commonly kept as pets, the dwarf caiman is often considered the most manageable due to their smaller size, less demanding diet, and relatively calm temperament. Sin embargo, dwarf caimans still require specialized care and handling, and they can be dangerous if not treated with respect. Por lo tanto, they should only be kept by experienced and knowledgeable reptile owners.

The American alligator is the most challenging and expensive crocodilian species to keep as a pet. They are the largest of the species and require a large enclosure with access to both water and land, a specialized diet, and careful handling to prevent accidents. Sin embargo, some reptile enthusiasts may find the impressive display of an American alligator to be worth the effort and investment.

The spectacled caiman is a good option for those looking for a smaller and less expensive crocodilian species. They are popular among reptile owners due to their manageable size, usually less than 7 pies, and relatively calm temperament. They are also less demanding in terms of space and diet compared to some other crocodilians. Sin embargo, they still require a secure enclosure with access to water and land, and they can become aggressive if not handled properly.

los cocodrilo de morelet, also known as the Mexican crocodile, is another species of crocodilian that is occasionally kept as a pet. Sin embargo, due to their larger size and specialized care requirements, they are not as commonly kept as the other three species mentioned above.

These animals require a large enclosure with access to water and land, a specialized diet consisting of whole prey items, and careful handling due to their potentially aggressive nature. Es más, they are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss and hunting for their skin and meat.