As a keeper of spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus), I know they start out small but quickly grow to an adult size of 6 to 8 feet, and they need enclosures that grow along with them. At minimum, a caiman enclosure must contain a water area large enough for swimming and a land area that permits movement. Some countries regulate enclosure sizes for different animals, so research the laws for your area before taking on an enclosure construction project. Of equal importance is that you research the kind of animal you wish to keep and its captive care needs before you actually buy it.
To date, I’ve built three enclosures. The following steps will take you through how I built the last one and incorporate knowledge I gained from the first two.
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