Rainforest Caiman
Rainforest Caiman
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Subfamily:
Rainforest Caiman are in the same family as alligators but differ by lacking a bony septum between the nostrils. They differ further by being more crocodilian in movement and have longer and sharper teeth than their alligator relatives. Caiman habitat consists of most river and wetland areas between Mexico and nothern Argentina.
Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus), identified by a ridge infront of their eyes and characteristic black bands along the tail, are the most common and have the largest range. The largest species are the black caiman, which grow up to 6 metres.
Black Caiman
Some other caiman facts are that the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is one of two species in the alligator family posing the same threat to humans as large crocodiles. Like the jaguar or harpy eagle, the black caiman is a top predator in the Amazon Basin. They are ambush predators, utilising the same techniques that worked for their ancestors 200 million years before present. They lay in wait for an animal to approach the water then lunge forward grabbing the prey. They then retreat to the water to drown the unfortunate animal. Black caiman were hunted severely for their skin and populations were reduced by 99%. Because of this, black caiman are now restricted to only a few areas of the Amazon Basin.
More Rainforest Animals
Back to Reptiles
Green Iguana
Rainforest Spiders
Rainforest Crocodiles
Related Pages
1. The Tahuayo Lodge and Primate Research Center
2. Where are rainforests?
3. Manu Nature Tours
4. Pantanal Wetlands
